The Appellate Group

Deer Valley Resort Co. v. Olson

Deer Valley Resort Co. v. Olson, 2026 UT 5 (Petersen, J.)

Tort Law

The Utah Supreme Court held:

(1) The district court correctly dismissed vicarious liability claims against ski resort where there was no evidence that employee was acting within course and scope of employment.
(2) The district court erred when it dismissed direct liability claims against ski resort based on release agreement where cited caselaw applies only to releases of liability for work-related injuries.

Practice tip:

Pugmire’s holding is limited to facts of that case—releases of liability between employers and employees for work-related injuries.

Read the full court opinion