SUMMIT COUNTY, Colorado – An elderly woman was issued a summons for assault after hitting a man with her ski pole following a collision on Copper Mountain.
According to the Summit County Justice Files, the man ran into two elderly women while they were stopped on the run, and one of the women hit him across the chest with her ski pole in anger.
According to Colorado’s Ski Safety Act, every skier is responsible for maintaining control of their speed while on the mountain, and should be able to maintain a proper lookout to avoid collisions with other skiers and objects. The uphill skier is usually responsible for the accidents.
“Each skier has the duty to maintain control of his speed and course at all times when skiing and to maintain a proper lookout so as to be able to avoid other skiers and objects. However, the primary duty shall be on the person skiing downhill to avoid collision with any person or objects below him.” – Colorado Ski Safety Act
In this specific case, however, it seems that the woman’s act of hitting the man across the chest with her ski pole was worthy of a summons, while the collision itself was not enough to warrant further action.
The skier’s responsibility code, developed by the National Ski Areas Association, is as follows:
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
