In December 2020, our firm filed a lawsuit against Red Lodge Mountain ski resort following a serious chairlift malfunction that injured two riders. The incident occurred on December 5, 2020, when our clients were attempting to board the Willow Creek chairlift. As they were loading, the chair detached from the haul rope, causing both men to fall onto the hard, snow-packed ground below. Both men were injured in the fall. Watch the KTVQ News report about the incident:
The Willow Creek chairlift at Red Lodge Mountain is one of the resort’s oldest chairs. According to their general manager, Jeff Schmidt, this riblet-style lift opened to the public in 1959. Industry experts note that this same style of chair was involved in other incidents, including one where a 4-year-old was ejected from a chairlift at Montana Snowbowl near Missoula in March 2023.
Experts have identified that riblet chairs tend to swing after a misload, which can lead to dangerous situations. With approximately 100 riblet lifts still in operation across the United States despite no longer being manufactured, our case highlighted important safety concerns for ski resorts nationwide.
Red Lodge Mountain disputed our clients’ claims and they emphasized their commitment to safety, even providing media tours of their facilities and explaining their safety protocols.
Red Lodge Mountain also argued that when guests purchase lift tickets, they implicitly agreed to Montana law requiring skiers to use chairlifts properly and safely. However, as experienced ski resort litigation attorneys, we understand that while skiing has inherent risks, equipment failures due to poor maintenance and safety protocol fall outside those assumed risks.
As our attorney Tanis Holm stated regarding this lawsuit, “That’s our ultimate goal here. We want to improve safety in chairlifts in Montana.” This case wasn’t just about securing compensation for our clients’ injuries—it was about holding ski resorts accountable for maintaining their equipment to the highest safety standards.
With Red Lodge Mountain reporting a record year of visitors, the dialogue about safety becomes increasingly important. Guests trust that equipment like chairlifts will operate safely, and when that trust is broken due to negligence, our firm stands ready to advocate for those injured.
Ski resorts have a legal obligation to maintain safe equipment and premises for their guests. While skiing inherently involves certain risks that participants accept, chairlift failures fall outside these assumed risks. When a chairlift—a piece of equipment that guests must trust with their safety—fails due to negligence, the resort must be held accountable.
If you’ve been injured in a chairlift accident or other ski resort incident, it’s important to understand your rights:
At Yellowstone Law, we bring extensive experience to ski resort liability cases. Our approach includes:
If you or a loved one has been injured in a chairlift accident or other incident at a ski resort, our experienced team is here to help. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries can take, and we’re committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (406) 259-9986 or visit our website’s contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your case. Let our experience with cases like the Red Lodge Mountain lawsuit work for you.
At Colton Holm Law Firm, we look forward to learning how we can help you resolve your legal concern.Call us today: (406) 259-9986