CHARLESTON - A Wood County couple is suing a state ski resort for unspecified injuries they sustained on one of its slopes earlier this year.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Pocahontas County is named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit filed by Glen and Pamela Addis of Mineral Wells. In their complaint filed Sept. 1 in Kanawha Circuit Court, the Addis' allege that Snowshoe's owners and promoters failed to not only mitigate potential hazards, but also went so far as to actively encourage skiers to traverse a particularly challenging slope.
According to court records, the Addis' were guests at Snowshoe on Jan. 24. They specifically were skiing on the slope designed "Western Territories."
The Western Territories slope was billed as an area of "'steep, rough, and rugged terrain,' with '1,500' of steeps to conquer'" and "'where adrenaline junkies head to get their fix.'" Skiers, the suit alleges, were also enticed to attempt Western Territories when asked the question "'Are you up to the challenge?'"
Though no specifics are provided, the suit alleges Glen suffered "severe physical injuries and emotional distress" while skiing on Western Territories. His injuries were a result of Snowshoe staff failing to "maintain the ski area in a reasonably safe condition" and "post warnings of or insert barriers to conditions they created or had the ability to avoid and/or eliminate."
As a result of his injuries, Glen, 49, alleges he incurred, among other things, loss of enjoyment of life, income and benefits, earning capacity, medical expenses, scarring and humiliation and embarrassment. Due to Glen's injuries, Pamela, 48, makes a claim for loss of consortium.
Records show Snowshoe's parent companies, Intrawest Corporation, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and its American subsidiaries, Intrawest Resorts of Golden, Colo. and Intrawest Snowshoe Development, located at Snowshoe, are named as co-defendants in the suit.
The Addis' are represented by John F. McCuskey and Roberta F. Green with the Charleston law firm of Shuman McCuskey and Slicer. They are seeking unspecified damages, court costs and interest.
The case is assigned to Judge Paul Zakaib Jr.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 09-C-1623
