SAM Magazine—Hartford, Conn., Oct. 1, 2014—The Connecticut skier safety act has been amended to require restraining bars for all chairlifts; padding or other protection for lift towers; and padding or fencing for all onslope snowmaking equipment, including above-ground snowmaking pipe. The changes went into effect today.

The requirement for lift tower padding applies to any tower located on a trail or slope.

In addition to requiring chairlift restraining bars, the revised act requires resorts to post instructions that describe how to use the restraints, and to inform lift riders that use of the restraints is required by law.

The act also requires resorts to pad or fence off snowmaking equipment and pipes “that are located within the borders of a designated slope, trail or area that is approved and open for skiing by the operator and regularly groomed as part of the operator's normal maintenance activities.”