THORNTON v. RICKNER (2012)

Plaintiffs commenced this action seeking damages for injuries sustained by Deborah A. Thornton (plaintiff) on a ski trail when she was struck from behind by defendant, a snowboarder. We agree with defendant that Supreme Court erred in denying his motion for summary judgment dismissing the amended complaint on the ground that plaintiff assumed the risks associated with the sport of skiing. “[B]y engaging in a sport or recreational activity, a participant consents to those commonly appreciated risks which are inherent in and arise out of the nature of the sport generally and flow from such participation” (Morgan v. State of New York, 90 N.Y.2d 471, 484, 662 N.Y.S.2d 421, 685 N.E.2d 202). “The risk of injury caused by another skier [or snowboarder] is an inherent risk of downhill skiing” (Zielinski v. Farace, 291 A.D.2d 910, 911, 737 N.Y.S.2d 199, lv denied 98 N.Y.2d 612, 749 N.Y.S.2d 4, 778 N.E.2d 555). Of course, however, a sporting participant “will not be deemed to have assumed the risks of reckless or intentional conduct” (Morgan, 90 N.Y.2d at 485, 662 N.Y.S.2d 421, 685 N.E.2d 202).

Defendant met his initial burden on the motion by establishing that “he did not engage in any risk-enhancing conduct that was not inherent in the activity of skiing [or snowboarding], which caused or contributed to the accident” (DeMasi v. Rogers, 34 A.D.3d 720, 721, 826 N.Y.S.2d 106; see Clarke v. Catamount Ski Area, 87 A.D.3d 926, 927, 929 N.Y.S.2d 852). Defendant submitted his deposition testimony in which he testified that he had snowboarded on only one prior occasion, a week earlier, and that the trail where the accident occurred was a beginner's trail. Defendant further testified that icy conditions on the trail made it difficult for him to turn and stop. According to defendant, he was snowboarding between a low and medium speed when he saw plaintiff, attempted to stop, lost his balance, and ultimately collided with her. Defendant was heading in plaintiff's direction because he was trying to steer clear of a group of people on the trail. Defendant also submitted the deposition testimony of a member of the National Ski Patrol who witnessed the accident. He testified that the trail where the accident occurred is a “green” trail with easier terrain, that the trail is appropriate for beginners, and that ski schools often use that trail to teach beginners. He further testified that he believed the accident was caused by defendant's “[l]ack of ability,” and he noted that, “just before impact, [defendant] was either falling down or trying to fall down, because it appeared that he wasn't able to turn.” In opposition to the motion, plaintiffs failed to raise an issue of fact whether “defendant's conduct was intentional or reckless, outside of the risks skiers normally assume” (DeMasi, 34 A.D.3d at 721, 826 N.Y.S.2d 106; see Clarke, 87 A.D.3d at 927, 929 N.Y.S.2d 852).

It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously reversed on the law without costs, the motion is granted and the amended complaint is dismissed.

MEMORANDUM: