USDA Forest Service Accessibility Guidebook for Ski Areas Operating on Public Lands

The purpose of this guidebook is to provide information for ski areas authorized, under a special-use permit from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, to partner with the Forest Service to achieve common goals of managing and promoting active participation in year-round alpine recreation. This document provides information about program accessibility for ski areas. By working together, the agency and the ski area management can ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

Ski areas operating under special-use authorization from the Forest Service are required to comply with both the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). The ADA applies because the ski areas operate as “public accommodations,” that is, they are businesses open to the public. Section 504 applies because ski areas operate under special-use permits authorized by a Federal agency, the Forest Service. Implementation guidelines for Section 504 that apply to recreation special-use permit holders are located in Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 15b. By signing the special-use authorization, the ski area agrees to abide by these and all other applicable laws, regulations, and policies of the Federal Government.