Slippery Slopes: Why Oregon’s Recreation Industry Is on Thin Ice

Description

Oregon’s love affair with outdoor adventure is facing a breaking point. From ski lifts to rafting trips to your neighborhood gym, unenforceable liability waivers are pushing insurance premiums sky-high, squeezing businesses large and small, and threatening the future of recreation as we know it.

Join City Club of Central Oregon for a deep dive into the state’s unfolding liability waiver crisis—why it’s happening, who it impacts, and what’s at stake for every Oregonian who treasures recreation and the outdoors.

Hear from ski industry leaders navigating skyrocketing insurance costs, small business owners feeling the trickle-down squeeze, experts unpacking Oregon’s unique history and the ripple effects of a landmark court decision in 2014, and policymakers weighing new legislative solutions. We’ll explore what "inherently risky" activities really mean, how Oregon’s landscape differs from other states, and whether reform can protect both public safety and access.

Confirmed Speakers:

• David Byrd, Director of Risk and Regulatory Affairs, National Ski Areas Association
• Jordan Elliott, President, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas' Association
• Tate Metcalf, Owner, Sisters Athletic Club
• Emerson Levy, State Representative, House District 53

If you ski, bike, climb, paddle—or simply care about Oregon’s recreation economy—this forum is a must-attend conversation about the choices ahead.

In the news:

Oregon lawmakers plan to address liability waivers for recreational activities in 2026