With the start of the semester break in Vienna and Lower Austria, numerous families are drawn to the ski resorts. But winter sports are not only fun, but also bring with them an increasing risk of accidents. Overcrowded slopes, high speeds due to modern carving skis and changeable weather conditions are leading to an increasing number of accidents. This means that liability issues for slope and lift operators are becoming more and more of a focus.
According to the ÖAMTC, winter sports accidents are increasingly leading to legal disputes. Anyone who buys a lift ticket enters into a transport contract with the cable car company, which obliges the operator to provide protection and exercise due care. This means that slopes must be adequately secured. If obstacles such as branches lying around, poorly covered lift supports or exposed hoses are not removed, the operator can be held liable even for minor negligence. There is also an obligation to provide avalanche protection on marked slopes.
The official operating times are also crucial for liability. Anyone who has an accident on poorly secured slopes after the slopes have closed must expect the operator's liability to be reduced. Ski tourers and those returning home late from huts are particularly at risk, as slope maintenance work such as the use of snow groomers takes place during this time. The number of lawsuits against ski area operators is increasing overall, and court cases are often decided by expert reports.
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