DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION CODES  
SKI AREA SAFETY – GENERAL RULES  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and  
regulatory affairs by section 6 of the ski area safety act of 1962, 1962 PA 199,  
MCL 408.326, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-  
1, 2008-4, 2011-4, and 2024-2, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, 445.2025,  
445.2030, and 16.735)  
R 408.61 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1993 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2007 AACS; 2014 AACS.  
R 408.62 Ski area operator duties; authorized vehicles; signs; symbols;  
notices.  
Rule 62. (1) Ski area operators shall comply with both of the following  
regarding ski slopes, runs, or trails open to skiers:  
(a) A written policy for authorized vehicles that addresses all of the following:  
(i) Identification of vehicles authorized to operate within ski areas. All  
authorized vehicles must be equipped with all of the following:  
(A) A minimum of 1 headlight, 1 taillight, and functional brakes.  
(B) Vehicles measuring less than 6 feet above the snow must have a  
fluorescent flag measuring not less than 40 square inches mounted not less than  
6 feet above the bottom of the tracks and visible from 360 degrees.  
(C) A flashing or rotating red or yellow light conspicuously located on the  
vehicle, which must be operating while the vehicle is moving in the vicinity of an  
open ski slope, run, or trail.  
(D) An audible alarm capable of producing a minimum warning sound of 85  
decibels to alert skiers or bystanders.  
(ii) Required training for individuals who operate authorized vehicles. The  
training must address all of the following:  
(A) Recommended routes for authorized vehicles to follow on open ski  
slopes, runs, or trails.  
(B) Circumstances under which an authorized vehicle may be used.  
(C) Circumstances under which the alarm required in paragraph (i)(D) of this  
subdivision must be utilized.  
(iii) Notification to first responders and the department within 24 hours of any  
injury or fatality involving an authorized or unauthorized vehicle on a ski slope, run,  
or trail.  
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(iv) Prohibition of the use of privately-owned unauthorized vehicles in areas  
open to skiers.  
(b) Operators of authorized vehicles shall comply with all of the following:  
(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:  
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(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.  
History: 2008 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.65 Adoption of standards by reference.  
Rule 65. A person shall construct, install, and operate a ski lift as prescribed  
in ANSI standards B77.1-2022 entitled "American National Standard for  
Passenger Ropeways – Aerial Tramways, Aerial Lifts, Surface Lifts, Tows and  
Conveyors - Safety Standard," which is adopted by reference in these rules. This  
standard may be purchased as an electronic download from the American National  
Standards Institute, Inc. at https://www.ansi.org for $200.00. The standard is  
available for inspection and purchase for $200.00 at the Department of Licensing  
and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, at 611 West Ottawa Street,  
Ottawa Building, Lansing, Michigan 48933.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1993 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2007 AACS; 2018 AACS;  
2020 MR 23, Eff. Dec. 10, 2020; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.66 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1997 AACS.  
R 408.67 rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 2014 AACS.  
R 408.68 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS; 1997 AACS.  
R 408.69 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1997 AACS.  
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R 408.70 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2014 AACS.  
R 408.71 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1997 AACS.  
R 408.75 Inspection and test of system initially and recurring.  
Rule 75. (1) Before a ski system is initially opened to the public, qualified  
personnel and a department inspector shall thoroughly inspect and test the system  
to ensure that the installation of the system is in accordance with the provisions of  
the act and these rules. The designer or manufacturer shall recommend load test  
procedures.  
(2) A ski area operator shall conduct a load test for chair lifts every 7 years  
that must be witnessed by a department inspector.  
(3) A ski area operator shall demonstrate proper operation of all braking and  
roll back prevention systems per manufacturer specifications to a department  
inspector once a year.  
(4) Specifications may be prepared by an individual licensed in this state as a  
professional engineer or qualified tramway firm when manufacturer specifications  
are no longer available.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1993 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2014 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff.  
April 17, 2026.  
R 408.76 Requirements for lifts not operated for 24 months.  
Rule 76. A ski area operator shall ensure that a lift that has not received a  
compliant state inspection and permit in 24 consecutive months or longer complies  
with all of the requirements of R 408.75 and section 12 of the ski area safety act  
of 1962, 1962 PA 199, MCL 408.332, before the lift is approved for public  
operation.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2014 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17,  
2026.  
R 408.77 Replacement of wire rope on emergency basis; repair.  
Rule 77. If damage to a wire rope is confined to a single strand, then a ski  
area operator may replace the damaged strand on an emergency basis. The ski  
area operator may return the repaired rope to service if all of the following  
conditions have been satisfied:  
(a) Approval for repairs has been obtained from the director.  
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(b) A qualified wire rope splicer verbally advised the director, before the wire  
rope was returned to service, that a suitable replacement strand was available and  
it was possible to properly repair the rope using the patch method.  
(c) Documents showing the splice diagrams and overall length of the patch  
prepared by an approved wire rope splicer are filed with the department and placed  
in the ski area operator’s wire rope log for the repaired rope.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.78 Splicers; qualifications.  
Rule 78. The department shall determine that a wire rope splicer is qualified  
if the wire rope splicer meets either of the following requirements:  
(a) The wire rope splicer has not less than 5 years of splicing experience and  
a department inspector has observed the wire rope splicer making an acceptable  
wire rope splice.  
(b) Presents credentials acceptable to the department from a major wire rope  
company or tramway manufacturer attesting to the individual’s qualifications as a  
wire rope splicer.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.79 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 2014 AACS.  
R 408.80 Rescinded.  
History: 1989 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.81 Rescinded.  
History: 1989 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.82 Rescinded.  
History: 1989 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2018 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.83 Lift designation signs.  
Rule 83. A sign indicating the relative difficulty of the open slopes a lift serves  
must be located so as to be visible from the entrance to the loading area of that  
lift.  
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History: 1989 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.90 Ski lift accident or breakdown; report; securing scene of  
accident.  
Rule 90. (1) An operator shall immediately report to the department, by  
telephone, a reportable ski lift incident. An operator shall also file a written report  
within 2 days on a form prescribed by the department.  
(2) As used in this rule, “reportable ski lift incident” means any of the following:  
(a) An incident from a possible malfunction of a passenger ski lift in which an  
individual is seriously injured or killed. For the purpose of this subdivision, “serious  
injury” means an injury where rescue staff assesses the injured individual, and that  
individual is referred to a higher level of care.  
(b) An incident in which a passenger is injured falling or jumping from a chair  
that is outside of the load zone or unload zone:  
(i) As used in subdivision (b) of this subrule, “load zone” means the area from  
the “wait here” sign or loading conveyor access regulating device to the point  
where ski under access is allowed.  
(ii) As used in subdivision (b) of this subrule, “unload zone” means the area  
approaching the unload area where the vertical clearance is less than 8 feet. This  
is measured from the bottom of an open carrier to the terrain or snow surface.  
(c) An unintentional deropement of a ski lift in operation, regardless of  
whether or not the ski lift is evacuated. This does not apply to surface lifts, tows,  
and conveyors.  
(d) An unplanned evacuation other than by primary electric motor, regardless  
of cause. This does not apply to surface lifts, tows, and conveyors.  
(e) A fire involving ski lift equipment or structures that poses a risk to  
passengers, operating personnel, or the structural integrity of the ski lift.  
(f) Failure of an electrical or mechanical component that results in the loss of  
control of the ski lift, unless the loss of control is a direct result of the malfunction  
of a single manual stop or speed control switch. Any 1 of the following 5 conditions  
is considered a loss of control:  
(i) Ski lift does not slow down when given the command to do so.  
(ii) Ski lift does not stop when given the command to do so.  
(iii) Ski lift accelerates faster than normal design acceleration.  
(iv) Ski lift self-starts or self-accelerates without the command to do so.  
(v) Ski lift reverses direction unintentionally and without the command to do  
so.  
(g) The failure of components or their primary connections during operation  
to the public are reportable. As used in this subdivision, “failure” means the inability  
of the components listed in paragraphs (i) to (viii) of this subdivision to continue to  
function as designed and continued operation would represent a hazard in any of  
the following:  
(i) Terminal structure.  
(ii) Bullwheel.  
(iii) Brake system components.  
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(iv) Tower structure.  
(v) Sheave, axle, or sheave assembly.  
(vi) Carrier.  
(vii) Grip.  
(viii) Haul, track, or counterweight cable.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 2014 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.91 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 1997 AACS.  
R 408.92 Evacuation of skiers entangled in rope tow.  
Rule 92. A ski area operator shall devise a method to safely evacuate, within  
a reasonable time, a skier entangled in the rope of a rope tow.  
History: 1979 AC; 1989 AACS; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.94 Toboggans and sleds.  
Rule 94. A lift or tow, while transporting skiers, must not be used to transport  
toboggans or sleds, except by authorized personnel.  
History: 1979 AC; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
R 408.95 Portable rope tow.  
Rule 95. As used in this rule, “portable rope tow” means an engineered system  
designed to be relocated as a complete system, conveying passengers using a  
continuously moving fiber rope. All of the following are conditions for a portable  
rope tow:  
(a) A portable rope tow is subject to the same permits, inspections, and fees  
as a rope tow.  
(b) A portable rope tow operating in the same location for more than 30 days  
must be attached to permanently installed anchor points.  
(c) A portable rope tow operator shall possess manufacturer instructions for  
setup and operation.  
(d) A portable rope tow may be relocated on a ski run, slope, or trail inside of  
a ski area operator’s property boundary in accordance with manufacturer  
requirements without filing for a modification permit.  
History: 1979 AC; 2026 MR 8, Eff. April 17, 2026.  
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