Salynda E. Fleury

Summary

The court held that an in-bounds avalanche is an inherent danger and risk of skiing under the Ski Safety Act because it constitutes a change in snow conditions. The Act therefore bars negligence and wrongful-death claims against a ski-area operator for injuries resulting from such an avalanche, requiring dismissal of the complaint. Justice Marquez, joined by Justice Gabriel, dissented, concluding that the statute covers snow's physical conditions rather than its movement and does not include avalanches.