Future of Ski Resort Insurance in Oregon in Doubt

9th July 2025

Last modified on August 26th, 2025

The bill, SB 1196, was aimed at restoring the enforceability of liability waivers that have allowed ski resorts to operate in high-risk environments.

Following the bill’s collapse in committee, major insurers like Safehold Special Risk have begun pulling out of Oregon, leaving ski areas like Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood Meadows scrambling to find new coverage before next winter.

Supporters of SB 1196 argued the bill  would have restored the enforceability of liability waivers specifically for “inherent risks” in activities like skiing, without shielding businesses from gross negligence or misconduct.

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association opposed the bill, claiming it would remove injured parties of the right to legal redress even in serious injury cases.

See the full story on Teton Gravity.

Oregon is the only western state without enforceable liability protections for outdoor operators.

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