Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 143, § 71N (2026)

Duties of ski area operators

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 71N. A ski area operator shall:

(1) whenever maintenance or snow-making equipment is being employed on any ski slope or trail open to the public, conspicuously place or cause to be placed, notice at or near the top of any ski slope or trail being maintained that such equipment is being so employed, and shall conspicuously indicate the location of any such equipment in a manner to afford skiers reasonable notice of the proximity of such equipment;

(2) mark and identify all trail maintenance and emergency vehicles, including snowmobiles, and furnish such vehicles with flashing or rotating lights, which shall be operated during the time that said vehicles are in operation within the ski area;

(3) with respect to the emergency use of vehicles within the ski area, including but not limited to uses for purposes of removing injured or stranded skiers, or performing emergency maintenance or repair work to slopes, trails or tramway equipment, not be required to post such signs as is required by clause (1), but shall be required to maintain such lighting equipment required by clause (2);

(4) mark the location of any hydrants used in snow-making operations and located within or upon a slope or trail;

(5) conspicuously place within the ski area, in such form, size and location as the board may require, and on the back of any lift ticket issued notice, in plain language, of the statute of limitations and notice period established in section seventy-one P; and

(6) maintain a sign system on all buildings, recreational tramways, ski trails and slopes in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the board and shall be responsible for the maintenance and operation of ski areas under its control in a reasonably safe condition or manner; provided, however, that ski area operators shall not be liable for damages to persons or property, while skiing, which arise out of the risks inherent in the sport of skiing.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 10 cases, 1987–2009 · leading case: Eipp v. Jiminy Peak, Inc., 154 F. Supp. 2d 110 (D. Mass. 2001).

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Eipp v. Jiminy Peak, Inc., 154 F. Supp. 2d 110 (D. Mass. 2001). · cites it 6× “Mass.Gen.L. ch. 143, §§ 71N, 710. The legislation’s most oft cited purpose is to “define and restrict the responsibility and liability of ski operators to skiers injured by risks inherent in the sport of skiing.”

Brush v. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Inc., 626 F. Supp. 2d 139 (D. Mass. 2009). · cites it 2× “” Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 143, § 71N(6) (2008).”

Atkins v. Jiminy Peak, Inc., 514 N.E.2d 850 (Mass. 1987). · cites it 2× “The plaintiff argues, however, that the statute should be construed as governing only actions based on a defendant ski area operator's violation of those duties prescribed by G.L.c. 143, § 71N. Section 71N requires that ski areas be maintained and operated in a reasonably safe…”

McHerron v. Jiminy Peak, Inc., 422 Mass. 678 (Mass. 1996). “In this case, we must decide whether G. L. c. 143, §§ 71N and 71O, bar a plaintiff from recovering for injuries resulting from a bare spot in the trail leading from the base lodge of the defendant’s ski area to the chairlift.”

Peresypa v. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Inc., 653 F. Supp. 2d 131 (D. Mass. 2009). “) (citing Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 143, § 71N). The Board had previously promulgated specific rules regarding signage, but in February 2006, prior to Plaintiffs accident, the regulations were amended and the specific *139 signage requirements were eliminated.”

Burden ex rel. Burden v. Amesbury Sports Park, Inc., 16 Mass. L. Rptr. 744 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2003). · cites it 5× “In support of its motion, the defendant argues that two provisions of the Massachusetts Ski Safety Act, G.L.c. 143, §§71N and 710, relieve it from liability for injuries incurred by Rosalind Burden at its snow tubing facility in Amesbuiy, Massachusetts.”

Torres v. Univ. of Massachusetts, 20 Mass. L. Rptr. 310 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2005). “Similar reasoning concerning the inherent risks of athletic and otherwise healthful pursuits, and the desirability of fostering these activities without undue fear of lawsuits, have informed the legislature in such enactments as the Massachusetts Ski Safety Act, G.”

Saldarini v. Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Inc., 422 Mass. 683 (Mass. 1996). “Wachusett moved for summary judgment, relying on G. L. c. 143, §§ 71N and 71O. The Superior Court judge allowed the defendant’s motion for summary judgment, ruling that pursuant to § 71O Amy had assumed the risk of ice conditions as a matter of law and was, therefore, barred…”

Spinale v. Pam F., Inc., 1995 Mass. App. Div. 140 (Mass. Dist. Ct., App. Div. 1995). · cites it 2× “Pursuant to G.L.c. 143, §71N, a ski area operator is generally responsible for the maintenance and operation of ski areas under its control in a reasonably safe condition or manner; provided however, that ski area operators shall not be liable for damages to persons or property,…”

Santiago v. Recreational Sports, Inc., 5 Mass. L. Rptr. 288 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1996). “G.L.c. 143, §71N(6). Further, §710 provides that ”[a] skier shall maintain control of his speed and course at all times, and shall stay clear of any snow-grooming equipment, any vehicle, towers, poles, or other equipment.”

— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 143, § 71N(1) — 1 case

Eipp v. Jiminy Peak, Inc., 154 F. Supp. 2d 110 (D. Mass. 2001). “Mass.Gen.L. ch. 143, §§ 71N, 710. The legislation’s most oft cited purpose is to “define and restrict the responsibility and liability of ski operators to skiers injured by risks inherent in the sport of skiing.”

— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 143, § 71N(6) — 4 cases

Eipp v. Jiminy Peak, Inc., 154 F. Supp. 2d 110 (D. Mass. 2001). “Mass.Gen.L. ch. 143, §§ 71N, 710. The legislation’s most oft cited purpose is to “define and restrict the responsibility and liability of ski operators to skiers injured by risks inherent in the sport of skiing.”

Brush v. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Inc., 626 F. Supp. 2d 139 (D. Mass. 2009). “” Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 143, § 71N(6) (2008).”

Burden ex rel. Burden v. Amesbury Sports Park, Inc., 16 Mass. L. Rptr. 744 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2003). “In support of its motion, the defendant argues that two provisions of the Massachusetts Ski Safety Act, G.L.c. 143, §§71N and 710, relieve it from liability for injuries incurred by Rosalind Burden at its snow tubing facility in Amesbuiy, Massachusetts.”

Santiago v. Recreational Sports, Inc., 5 Mass. L. Rptr. 288 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1996). “G.L.c. 143, §71N(6). Further, §710 provides that ”[a] skier shall maintain control of his speed and course at all times, and shall stay clear of any snow-grooming equipment, any vehicle, towers, poles, or other equipment.”

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