jasoncapecod
Well-known member
this is crazy: youtube link
Oregon's Insurance Crisis
- Thread starter jasoncapecod
- Start date
Crazy indeed. The precipitating lawsuit was for an accident in a terrain park!?! Some ski areas require an extra waiver be signed for using a terrain park.
Last edited:
More about Oregon and liability laws that impact the ski industry.
June 30, 2025
July 2, 2025
pnsaa.org
" . . .
Oregon Ski Industry Now Facing Unprecedented Insurance Crisis
In May, one of the two primary insurers for Oregon ski areas, Safehold Special Risk, announced its departure from the state. Safehold reported that more than half of its nationwide excess losses stemmed from Oregon alone – despite Oregon’s ski areas being considered among the best-managed in the country.
Never before, in the modern history of the sport, has a ski state been down to a single primary insurer. And insurance industry experts – both within and beyond the ski industry – say it’s likely only a matter of time before Oregon is down to none. Yet, despite repeated, clear warnings, Oregon’s legislative leaders refused to act.
Ripple Effects Across All Recreation Providers
The impacts extend beyond ski areas. Gyms, fitness instructors, river guides, avalanche educators, and other providers are increasingly unable to obtain affordable liability insurance or unwilling to accept the significant legal uncertainty that comes with operating in Oregon.
Insurers are not the problem. The lack of enforceable liability waivers is. By any reasonable metric, Oregon is now the least supportive ski state in the nation—and the warning signs are flashing across the broader recreation and fitness sectors.
. . ."
June 30, 2025
Timberline Lodge faces 'challenging’ future after liability bill fails
Bills to protect wildlife habitat and Oregon ski areas failed while other outdoor bills passed in the 2025 Oregon Legislature. Here's what to know.
www.statesmanjournal.com
July 2, 2025
Oregon Legislature Fails to Act on Liability Waiver Reform, Leaving Recreation Industry at Risk - Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA)
Legislative proposals would have restored long-standing, balanced approach that exists in every other Western state BEND, Ore. – The Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA) issues this statement in response to Oregon legislative leadership’s failure to pass House Bill 3140 and Senate...
pnsaa.org
Oregon Ski Industry Now Facing Unprecedented Insurance Crisis
In May, one of the two primary insurers for Oregon ski areas, Safehold Special Risk, announced its departure from the state. Safehold reported that more than half of its nationwide excess losses stemmed from Oregon alone – despite Oregon’s ski areas being considered among the best-managed in the country.
Never before, in the modern history of the sport, has a ski state been down to a single primary insurer. And insurance industry experts – both within and beyond the ski industry – say it’s likely only a matter of time before Oregon is down to none. Yet, despite repeated, clear warnings, Oregon’s legislative leaders refused to act.
Ripple Effects Across All Recreation Providers
The impacts extend beyond ski areas. Gyms, fitness instructors, river guides, avalanche educators, and other providers are increasingly unable to obtain affordable liability insurance or unwilling to accept the significant legal uncertainty that comes with operating in Oregon.
Insurers are not the problem. The lack of enforceable liability waivers is. By any reasonable metric, Oregon is now the least supportive ski state in the nation—and the warning signs are flashing across the broader recreation and fitness sectors.
. . ."
EMSC
Well-known member
Operates in literally every state in the US with a ski area, except Oregon as of now. The trial lawyers in that state must have a supersize amount of cash flowing through lobbyists or something. I remember reading about this topic about 2 months ago and figured something would get resolved, but I guess not. I suspect the final insurer will either drop out after one year of huge lawsuit payouts or will skyrocket premiums so high no one can afford them.
Oregon Supreme Court justices are elected to 6 year terms. That court precipitated the crisis in 2014 by invalidating recreational liability waivers.
EMSC
Well-known member
Invalidated based on current Oregon laws/constitutional amendments. Trial lawyers Association(s) are likely throwing large sums at lobbyists to prevent the legislature from passing any new laws or putting state amendments on the ballot to legalize changes helpful for recreation industry in any form. Obviously don't live there and follow it blow by blow, but it's a pretty predictable thing based on what I've seen in other states I have lived in.
Colorado over the years has gone through several revisions of it's laws on various recreational fronts. Some directly involving the ski industry (much debate on simple negligence vs gross negligence level required to be proved in lawsuits which could/would invalidate any signed waivers for example), other laws to protect landowners that allow short easements across their land for public hiking trails for another example. Best I can discern though is that the Oregon Legislature either doesn't care at all or more likely is essentially being bought off to do nothing for such a long period of time.