North Carolina law sets ski area duties and pass penalties

Ski area operators inspect open slopes and trails, keep a log, and post general surface conditions. The duties cover winter sports slopes, ski trails, and freestyle areas open to the public. Inspections and condition reports are required at least twice daily.

A skier involved in a collision must provide their name and current address before leaving the area. The rule applies when a skier knows or should reasonably know they were involved in a collision with another skier. A skier may leave to seek medical care for anyone injured or when staying would put the skier or others at significant risk of injury. The skier must then provide the information as soon as practical to ski area staff or patrol. If a skier leaves under an exception, they must provide the information as soon as practical afterward.

A person who misuses a ski pass or accesses specified areas without authorization commits a Class 1 misdemeanor; a ski area operator may also sue for the regular cost of a full season pass. The rules cover people who misuse ski passes or access ski areas, lifts, tramways, or trails without authorization. Covered conduct includes using or lending a stolen, fictitious, or borrowed pass, skiing without a valid pass, or accessing closed areas or lifts. The operator may bring the civil action.

Certain labor rules do not apply to bona fide ski area volunteers, and qualified volunteers under 18 may volunteer. This covers volunteer ski patrollers, instructors, event helpers, mountain hosts, and other people providing volunteer services at a ski area, including qualified youth under 18. A bona fide volunteer may receive meals, lodging, or use of ski area facilities, but no other compensation. The listed rules concern minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, and record keeping.