Father of teen killed on slope sues Ski Bowl
PORTLAND, Ore. - The father of a teenage girl who died while snowboarding is suing Mt. Hood Ski Bowl.
Taylor DeWolf, 17, died in January after she hit a tree at high speed on Dog Leg Trail. She was wearing a helmet but the impact, which caused injuries to her head and chest, killed her.
DeWolf's father has now filed a lawsuit on his daughter's behalf and is seeking more than $1 million.
The lawsuit argues that Mt. Hood Ski Bowl misrepresented the degree of difficulty on Dog Leg Trail. It is marked as an intermediate run but the lawsuit states that the trail has a 38-degree slope that is better suited for experts.
We reached out to Mt. Hood Ski Bowl staff, who referred our questions to the company's attorney. He did not respond to our request for comment.
Wow. Â I feel sorry for the girl, but not for the father. Â Not now, anyway. Â What a schmuck. Â I feel sorry for all the rescue people who had to pull her off the snow. Â If anything, this man should have to pay a million $$ for all the grief caused to everyone else having to deal with it. Â
 @Bob6 If you knew these people you would not say that. The girl was a friend of my daughters personally. They are grieving like no other parents (no grief is the same). They asked for explanations as to why the slope caused her death. The resort would not give them answers without them making a lawsuit. Also, more than one death happened on this same stretch of this run last year. Kind of like 1 in 10 get hurt right? Wrong, they want answers and were told to do so they would have to sue. Answers bring closures, these people are very giving and even if they get a small settlement (nothing will bring back Taylor), they will give it to those in need and use it for their son for his counseling. Please don't ever judge a situation until you personally have been in a grieving parents shoes!
 @Tess Wrong! I worked on Mt. Hood for many years ans was there when a 16 year old girl was killed on Palmer Snow Field. She was run over by a snow cat that was parked and inmanned when it's brakes failed. The operator risked his life to get back into it and stop it but failed because it was not running at the time. I personally saw the devestation that he endured as well as the heroic Proffessional Ski Patrolers that tried to save her. That incident that was no one's fault caused psychological damage to all the people who were involved. But you want to villify Ski Bowl when the girl was skiing beyond her ability and she could have just as easily done that on the rope tow. Of course Any business is not going to answer questions from someone who is obviously going to sue them, they are not stupid.
That is nice but I still stand on the part about, Not until the Father drops the lawsuit. Once again it is nothing but Greed, the money will not bring her back.
 @swede760 The early college program the kids all attended was at MHCC.  The first thing the family and college did together was to make a scholarship in memory of Taylor. Her passion for photograpy and who she was in general is worthy of donating toward education in her honor. Anyone who applies for a MHCC scholarship will know of the wonderful young person Taylor was. Feel free to honor her for who she was. Pray always that your kids stay safe on the ski runs. I had enough of sking to know that I do not want my kids up there, now or ever!
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Once again they can get every iota of terrain info from any US Geological survey map. The property is owned by the US Forest Service they could have easily gotten the info from them. They also could have sued for $1.00 instead of the $1,000,000. I used to work there and I have seen so many people try to sue them over stupid crap that thier lawyers make them respond that way. As I said I used to work there for several years and I had my Son skiing Dog Leg at 31/2 years old, they also teach begginers on that run, it is not anywhere close to being an expert slope anywhere there. Also you said it all with your statement, Â Do I take the word of the lady that hit her? No, I seek legal advice., why would Ski Bowl cut thier own legal throat and answer a single question from someone who is gathering info to sue them? That would be absolutely stupid and to say otherwise is the same. If the father gives up the stupid and greedy lawsuit and instead starts a scholarship or other benefit to honor his daughter I wil donate but as long as he follows the path of greed forget getting sympathy from me.
 @swede760  @Tess Think outside your box. They have no desire to "villify" anyone. It is about answers and resolution ie closure. I did not say the incident did not traumatize the employees. I was speaking as one who knows the family. Even if it seems wrong (I did a double take when I saw the newspaper in the store) no one has the right to judge a grieving family like you. The dad is carrying a tremendous load of grief and probably some anger as to why simple questions cannot be answered. I do not believe they would have sued if they were given what they wanted and the slope researched for safety. Have you gone off this section? (you have a skull logo so I figure you are a boarder) Try if for me at the same spot with your level of expertise and let me know how much air you get/or if you hit the same tree/ok.
The mom is one of the sweetest people I know who give out a really sweet spirit despite losing her best friend/daughter!
Taylor was a very good intermediate skier and this was an intermediate slope. The questions lie as to whether this section is actually intermediate. This is a basic question that should be answered not covered up to protect whatever it is they are trying to protect.
They told the family "no answers unless you "sue" us for the same!
Perhaps you should to the research on this section and see just how many people DID die or get severely on this slope run before you say anything!
This season has to be really hard for them but yourself in their shoes /if you can. They do not want other parents to feel their same unfathomable pain because of something that CAN BE CORRECTED!(PROPER SINAGE FOR THE JUMP)ETC!
I have been through like situation but by daughter was hit on her bike from behind(my daughter survived). Do I take the word of the lady that hit her? No, I seek legal advice.
Karma will catch up to this man next time he's on the slopes...
American ways suck! Why is the ski resort being blamed for the error of a snowboarder? I think it's dad's fault for not taking her out and teaching her better. Maybe he should sue himself! It is obvious that the accident involving a tree can only be one of two thing's fault. If you think it was the tree, say "aye!" Ridiculous that my tax money pays for such court cases...
This is riduculous and without merit. Skiing is an inherently dangerous sport and if you don't want to suffer the risk of injury, you shouldn't be skiing. To blame a the ski company is just bunk. When are people going to take personal responsibility for their actions rather than blame consequences on other people. For shame.
I ride Skibowl very regularly and consider myself an advanced snowboarder. I've ridden everything from green circles (easy) to double black diamonds (very difficult). I also have ridden Dog Leg in all types of conditions from waist deep powder to sheer ice. This trail is definitely an intermediate trail and is marked as so. The trail starts gradually, dips down and then up before the trail dips down and out to the Lower Bowl run (or Fire Hydrant if it's open). It would be absolutely ridiculous for Skibowl to mark this run as a black diamond. The runs up top like Cannonball, Accelerator, Pizzaz and Powderkeg are black diamond runs with steep pitches and hazards like drop offs and trees. Dog leg is wide open and only has one spot where you could pick up speed if you were either 1) Trying to go fast or 2) skiing out of your ability range on an intermediate run when you should be on the Lower Bowl run instead and lose control. This was a very sad incident and I remember being at the mountain when it happened, but this is not Skibowl's fault. Skiing and snowboarding are hazardous sports and you assume the inherent risk when you buy that lift ticket. I'm sorry for the family, but don't try to cash in on your daughters death. This was no one's fault.
Ridiculous!!! Oh yeah, that's gonna bring their daughter back and make everything better. People take any opportunity to make free cash......They have to remember, they are the ones that let her go on her own.
Yeah - it was the choice of his daughter to go down that slope. She had probably done so successfully many times before. SHE hit the tree. The tree was not on the trail.Â
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I am incredulous as to why this father "thinks" money is the solution to what was really just the end result of his daughter's choices? And while you're at it, Ski Bowl and your insurers, the family "needs" a cool million. Sure. That's right, somehow. NOT .
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well this will cause the insurance rates to sky rocket and might just force ski bowl out of business. they struggle all the time to keep going. sounds like she was boarding above her ability. it already costs a lot to use the mountain, soon it will only be the rich who can board up there.
according to a kgw jan 2012 article she left the groomed trail at a high rate of speed and crashed into the tree. she was missing 3 hours before parents and friends reported her missing.
 @32jim2 HER CHOICES. Not the trail that made her do any of it.Â
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And why wasn't she skiing with a partner, a family member, someone. If she was too young to competently make the decision as to whether or not she should have been on that trail to begin with. Or whatever the family is trying to assert here. If there is no ski partner there is no one to go for help - when you veer off the trail and slam into a tree. And THREE LONG HOURS LATER - someone finds you. All alone. Near death.Â
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And somehow all of "that" is the fault of Ski Bowl? No way.Â
My heart breaks for any parent who loses a child, but lets be clear this father is just trying to cash in on his daughters ACCIDENTIAL death.
 @kramr The result of his daughter's negligent skiing. No one else's fault.Â
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I am sure "dad" is smart enough to know all of that. Shame on him for trying to make his daughter's ski accident - someone else's fault. Appeasing his GUILT at not being there - skiing right besire her? Probably. So stop it, dad - trying to make Ski Bowl into the guilty party here.Â
I am so sorry for the girl dying,but I do not believe a law suit is justifiable! She knew the risks! I am sure this could happen on the beginners run! I know that she had the helmet,on-That was good,but how good was it? Did it stay on,or did it fly off? I am glad that she had a helmet on,but even if it is the best helmet in the world,that does not prevent you from getting a head injury,If you run into something! I am sorry for their loss,but the dad needs to do the right thing,and withdraw the lawsuit!
Another story said that the family requested documents from them regarding the slope and such and were told by Ski Bowl that in order to get them they would have to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
They want to make sure the trail is marked appropriately and such, but can't get any of the details to ensure this doesn't happen to someone else's family. The only way to do it was to sue, which Ski Bowl told them (see the KGW story). So this isn't about money, it's about safety for everyone who uses those trails. How about before people start attacking this family, they make sure they have the whole story (which isn't going to be found in a few paragraphs).
 @Jenni S. Excuse me - they want to make something that is not negligent appear to be neglient - so they dog Ski Bowl?Â
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Come on. Instead of friends and family of this girl sitting the family down and spelling out the fact this girl chose to ski alone, chose to ski as she did. And the end result of her choice to ski as she did was her accidental death.Â
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Sure - just suing Ski Bowl makes a whole lot of sense there, familly. NOT.Â
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Other than getting your daughter back to ask her why she did as she did - including why she was allowed to ski all alone - there is no one at fault in regard to the slope at Ski Bowl. No fault of Ski Bowl's.Â
 @Jenni S. Considering the fact that Ski Bowl is actually Owned by the National Forest Service and operated by Ski Bowl under lease, there is no reason why the Father and his Lawyers can not look up all the information they want on topography of the ski runs on any US Geological Survey Map of that area. It is Public Record on more than one venue. That run has not changed in the last 27 years that I have been familiar with it and no one else has died on it. I understand Ski Bowls reaction because they are accustomed to people trying to sue over absolutely stupid things, they never answer questions like that when they suspect a lawsuit. Next, the Father would much better Honor his Daughter's memory by starting a charity or foundation on Donations. I would be willing to donate to worthy cause but all I see is greed here.
 @Jenni S. Even if it was marked, it wouldn't have stopped this girl from going down the run. Its always about the money, otherwise, they wouldnt sue.
@Jenni S.   """"  The only way to do it was to sue, which Ski Bowl told them (see the KGW story). So this isn't about money""
Oh Paleeze, of course its about the money. if it wasn't about the money they'd be suing for maybe a few thousand dollars..... but suing for north of a million dollars IS CLEARLY ABOUT THE MONEY.
 @Jenni S. That is a Lame excuse. Please explain why Ski Bowl's Ski School Teaches Children as young as 5 years old on Dog Leg with out having any fatalities? I have seen it I used to work there and my own Son skied Dog Leg at 3.5 years old, because it is one of the easiest runs there. The only fault is wjth the unfortunate young lady who did not follow the rules that Specifically State that as a Skier or Snowboarder you are Responsble to Ski Under Control at ALL TIMES! That is printed on every lift ticket and is posted everywhere you look, if you do not ski under control you should not be skiing or you should take some more lessons or stay on the rope tow.
Whoops, not KGW, it was in The Outlook.
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http://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/123589-family-accuses-skibowl-of-negligence
It's sad that you lost your daughter there. I have been on that slope and it is intermediate. Prayers go out to your family though.Â
I know you're sad that you lost your daughter man, but this is just ridiculous and you know it.
You have to watch out for those fast-moving trees up there.
I just looked at old Ski Bowl and Meadows tickets. The language should keep all of the nuisance injury cases at bay, but even though it says the bearer waves negligence on the part of the area and staff, I don't think that would holdup in court for serious injury and death.
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Waving negligence isn't that easy. Jump off a rock and blow out your knee cartilage is your own dam fault. Done that. Just like this case the ski area did nothing wrong. It's not like they parked a CAT just around the corner with no bamboo to warn people that something was up and to slow down. That would be gross negligence and a very good case could be made. That's also the reason you typically don't see any grooming equipment on an open run. Too much liability. As someone said in another post Murphy and Newton win every time.
First I have worked there and Skiied there for several years, Dog Leg Trail is marked intermediate but it is a begginer slope. I had my Son skiing on Dog Leg at 31/2 years old. The Kids Ski School uses that run to teach on. I hope Kirk Hanna fights this all the way and nails the father for slander.
this will be settled out of court. wonder how much he will get ? i really hope they fight this. dad needs to be put in his place. its horrible that he lost his daughter, but accidents happen.
You bought a ticket...flip it over,see all that fine print,yea a lawyer wrote all that... its meant for you. Taking risks is a personal choice.
 @ChipClip Like climbing Mt. Hood all alone, too.Â
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No one fault but your own - when the inevitable occurs to you - all alone up there.Â
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Ain't the fault of the public when a death happens on our mountain - because of arrogant climbers choice - to climb the mountain all alone. Just like this girl - all alone when she was skiing. She and her family made the choice - and the end result is their responsibility - not Ski Bowl.Â
Low lifes looking to make a buck at the expense of someone else. "If we will big, we can retire!" The resort should counter sue for the damage caused by the bad publicity! I would like to think that it is the pain of loosing a family member that is making dad stupid.
I worked at Ski Bowl for many years and there is this statement on Every Lift Ticket that says you are responsible for your own safety and the Ski Area is in no way responsible for any injuries. The Father needs to suck it up and let it go, nothing will bring back his daughter and being Greedy does her memory no service.
 @swede760 You'll find the same thing on amusement park tickets, kid. They're called waivers of liability and are often utter BS.
My wife got in an accident a few months ago... Better sue ODOT.
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Come to think of it, a city of Salem truck ran over my cat a few years back... Better sue City of Salem.
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I didn't win the Powerball last week... Sue the Oregon Lottery.Â
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And, I didn't get nearly the grades I think I should have in college.... Find me a lawyer!
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(sarcasm off)
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Here's the thing, Mr DeWolf. Your daughter CHOSE to engage in a dangerous sport. She CHOSE to go down that specific run. By transitive property, she CHOSE to place herself in harms way. The end result, while admittedly tragic, was no ones fault but her own. You dishonor her, and your family by joining ranks with some ambulance chaser over silly technicalities ( The lawsuit argues that Mt. Hood Ski Bowl misrepresented the degree of difficulty on Dog Leg Trail.) as a way to lash out at the resort for your daughters reckless behavioral decisions.Â
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But, hey, at least the attorney will make some bank either way. I sincerely hope that Ski Bowl doesn't settle with you out of court, and you can bankroll your attorney all the way to the courts. Perhaps a couple of hundred thousand in attorneys fees on top of the loss of your daughter will help you to get some closure.Â
 @MarkKpic and this girl CHOSE her fate, right? Right? HUGE difference, I guess?
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Nah, not really.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxtD3QOrNXw
Hey Dad, too bad your 401K tanked, but this is a lousy way to make up for it!
Hey Dad, do the right thing and withdraw the lawsuit. It's called taking accountability and responsibility for one's actions....Just lookin' for a quick, easy payday.Â
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@HarryJuku Lame.
@HarryJu - Really?? I agree the father is ridiculous for suing, but he didn't need to keep his daughter a shut in, people ski and snowboard everyday without this kind of thing happeneing....
Why sue Ski Bowl and not the helmet manufacturer? Why sue anyone, absolutely ridiculous to blame anyone but themselves.
I'm hoping Ski Bowl will fight this but they'll likely just settle because no one wants to fight the parents of a dead child in court.
I have been skiing all my life, both water and snow, I can't imagine suing the resort for death or injury .. We all know the dangers and those are the risks you take.. That said, I can't understand why someone would want to cash in on their daughters death at a ski resort.. Shameful...
 @dougrpdx Yes that is like putting a value on your daughters life and her life would be priceless,the money would mean nothing
I'm sorry, but this is preposterous, spiteful and greedy. I know some people who are acquaintances of this family and they are all very, very religious people, so I find it odd they want to take something so incidental to court. I doubt the girl would have wanted this to happen, and if it even makes it to court they won't win it because it is completely undeserved. People need to learn to grieve without seeking cash as a pacifier for pain, you'd think as a Christian you'd understand that.
@s.c.h. Yeah, wasn't it "God's" plan?? It is weird to see an ultra religious family sue....