Ski resorts trying to educate guests about laws

A group of North Lake Tahoe area resorts in collaboration with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office have created a campaign to educate skiers and snowboarders about the importance of making smart choices and avoiding behavior that is against the law.

The goal of Be Mountain Wise is to inform those who are unaware of the potential consequences of ignoring resort boundary lines and closed areas, or sharing lift tickets or a season pass.

“Most people simply aren’t aware that sharing lift ticket or season pass products is considered theft of
services, and that skiing or snowboarding in closed areas or beyond boundary lines is also illegal,” 
Dave Hunt, Placer County detective sergeant, said in a statement. “Both actions are misdemeanor
offenses. While there are legal consequences that can be enforced, our goal is to work with the resorts
to educate the public about these issues in a way that will encourage people to make smart choices.”

Both lift ticket/season pass fraud and guests skiing in closed areas are long-time issues throughout the
ski industry.

Participating resorts are Homewood Mountain Resort, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Sugar Bowl.