Woman Paralyzed After Chairlift Fall at Crested Butte Awarded $20 Million from Vail Resorts

The news of a Colorado jury ruling against Vail Resorts for a record $20 million is a thunderclap across the ski industry. The decision is more than just a verdict; it's a potential seismic shift in how ski areas operate and how the millions who visit them are protected.

The case revolves around Annie Miller, a then 16-year-old who was left paralyzed after a chairlift fall at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in March of 2022. Miller slipped from the Paradise Express lift and fell 30 feet, sustaining life-altering injuries that shattered her vertebrae and left her unable to walk again.

In the wake of the accident, her family sued Vail Resorts, alleging the resort recklessly disregarded her safety by failing to stop the lift. While the case was initially dismissed due to a signed liability waiver, the Colorado Supreme Court reinstated the lawsuit, ruling that such waivers do not exempt resorts from their statutory duties under the Ski Safety Act.

This landmark ruling essentially punches a hole in the broad shield that liability waivers have long provided resorts in Colorado. The jury ultimately concluded that Crested Butte breached state regulations, assigning the resort 75% of the fault, while Miller was found to assume 25% of the risk.

For a sport where a typical lawsuit is limited to a $250,000 payout, this $20 million verdict is an unprecedented development. With advocacy groups on both sides warning of the implications for the future of ski law, the verdict could have far-reaching consequences for resorts and skiers across the country. The bottom line? It’s a whole new day for skier safety and resort accountability.