(i) Be at least 18 years of age, possess a valid driver's license, and have completed
mandatory training provided by the ski area that includes the safe use of authorized vehicles
on ski slopes, runs, or trails when skiers are present.
(ii) Operate an authorized vehicle at a rate of speed not greater than is reasonable for
the conditions.
(iii) Yield the right-of-way to skiers and pedestrians while operating an authorized
vehicle on ski slopes, runs, or trails whenever practicable.
(2) Ski area operators shall mark snowmaking devices and equipment as follows:
(a) In snowmaking operations, mark the location of any hydrant, snow gun, or similar
fixture or equipment situated on a ski run and extending less than 6 feet above the snow
surface with a caution sign in contrasting colors. An orange marking disc, with a minimum
diameter of 8 inches, may be used as a caution sign. One sign is adequate for all devices
located within 3 feet on either side of the sign and within 10 feet downhill from the sign
along the ski run.
(b) Place a fiber rope with flags, mesh tape that is more than 3 inches in height, or a
fence where any hose, cord, or similar equipment is laying on a ski run. The fiber rope with
flags, mesh tape, or fence must be located between the device and the normal approaching
ski traffic. The flags on a fiber rope must not be more than 10 feet apart.
(3) Ski area operators shall mark lifts and trails as follows:
(a) Locate a sign indicating the relative difficulty of the open slopes a lift serves so
as to be visible from the entrance to the loading area of that lift.
(b) Mark each ski run, slope, or trail with the appropriate symbol for the degree or
difficulty, the degree of difficulty in words, and the name of the run, slope, or trail.
(c) Select its most difficult slopes and trails and use the black diamond symbol to
identify them and select its easiest slopes and trails and use a green circle symbol to identify
them.
(d) Mark all slopes and trails not identified as “most difficult” or “easiest” as “more
difficult” and use a blue square symbol to identify them.
(4) Requirements for signage and symbols are as follows:
(a) Lettering for trail marking signs is a minimum of 2 inches in height.
(b) Symbols are not less than 6 inches in horizontal and vertical dimensions.
(c) All signs required by the ski area safety act of 1962, 1962 PA 199, MCL 408.321
to 408.344, and these rules are constructed of weather-resistant materials, unless the signs
are placed within a weathertight structure.
(d) All trail marking signs required by this rule are attached to a post, tree, lift tower,
or building in a prominent location on or adjacent to the run, slope, or trail being marked.
(5) Ski area operators shall provide notification on closed runs, slopes, or trails as
follows:
(a) When a ski area is open for skiing and any ski run, slope, or trail is closed to
skiing, the ski area operator shall mark the top of, or entrance to, each closed run, slope, or
trail, or that portion of each run, slope, or trail that is closed if less than the entire run, slope,
or trail, with a sign containing the word "closed" in 3 inches or larger letters.
(b) The ski area operator shall place a fiber rope with flags, mesh tape that is more
than 3 inches in height, or a fence across the top of, or entrance to, the run, slope, or trail
or that portion of the run, slope, or trail that is closed. The ski area operator shall place the
flags on a fiber rope not more than 10 feet apart.
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