Can't comment on out west, but around here, the slopes are private property most of the time.

As for the broken ankle scenario, that would be a real emergency, of the kind I mentioned in my post.

Ski areas around here (CA) are both private and public. There are even
some laws preventing you from leaving a private resort to
head off into unpatroled land at some, not all of them.

The Sheriff's Dept is in charge of SAR here, and can bill for
costs. However, unless there is criminality involved, the real boneheads who bring it on themselves are reminded they can donate to the SAR organizations. The often do, having realized their goof,
and being grateful for the help. Some come to the meetings to say
thanks, some send a check for anywhere from $25.00 to $10,000.00
or more. All in all it is a pretty good system. A good portion
of the funds and volunteer time go to education to help prevent
searches. Since instituting the educational portion of the local
nordic SAR team in 1970, there have been NO searches for lost
kids who have been through the 4th grade survival/staying found
school trainings.

The majority of the costs born by taxpayers are for the coordination
by the Deputies of the search, and for some of any helicopters
used. Often the helicopters are military and are paid for
through their training funds, i.e. they would be out flying
around anyway.

NOTICE!

[size:17pt]RESCUE CHARGES

If we have to send people up the mountain to find you, you will be charged in accordance with the level of your stupidity, which will be decided by your rescuers (not including the dogs).

Helicopter/hour: $1,000 + fuel
Man-hours: $50 per man, per hour
Dog-hours: $25 per dog, per hour
Disposable Equipment: Cost x 4.
Non-disposable Equipment: pre-determined (ask for chart)

Points for Stupidity (Multiply above costs by points below):
1 - True accident, took reasonable precautions
2 - Took some precautions; proceeded beyond experience
3 - Should have known better; mostly unprepared
4 - Unprepared with basic knowledge or equipment
10 - Intelligence of roadkill, but no charge if removed from gene pool.[/size]

I totally agree with you, Sue!!!!!

The emphasis is upon who does the rescue, goverment no charge the ski area then your charged.

"While federal and provincial search teams have a strict policy of rescuing people for free, the rules are much different in cases where private ski resorts or search teams are called in to look for guests who may be in danger."

cheers

Sue's got it.

I understand the desire to back charge for stupidity - heck I'd be the first one in line to hand them the bill!

But sadly, what would anybody charge to retrieve the body of the trail groomer (See other thread) who passed away while ill equipped for the cold weather? Or perhaps to retrieve Mr. Kim and his family?

Actually, I covered a rescue in Zion NP when I was with the newspaper.

IIRC, the NPS charges if is "avoidable" or something like that.

They billed the two who were rappeling down a face and only had enough rope to get halfway down...

Kind of like when the police give you a bill for room and board when you spend time in the pokey.

Not exactly what I meant… LOL

I was referring to the inevitable case where some people go off the designated track intentionally, but do not tell others that they are going to do so or when they will return. Say, hypothetically, that they did this and left with proper gear. The others back at base may think they’ve gone missing and are in distress and call for a rescue. The rescuers go out a do their thing, only to find the “victims” cozy with their tents and campfire wondering what the hell these people in orange vests are doing there. Who gets charged then?