New Jersey Leads Nation in Adopting the Common Carrier Standard of Care for Operators of Chair Lifts at Ski Areas

By James H. Moss, J.D.   D’Amico, v. Great American Recreation, Inc., 265 N.J. Super. 496; 627 A.2d 1164; 1992 N.J. Super. LEXIS 499   Each state where skiing is a significant recreational activity has eventually looked at the standard applied to the operators of the chair lifts when someone riding on the lift is injured. Some courts have held the duty is owed based on the statutory protection afforded by its respective state ski area safety act. A few courts have said the duty is th