SUN VALLEY, Idaho — The Idaho Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Sun Valley Company in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a 2019 incident in which skier Stewart Milus died after hitting snowmaking equipment at the resort.
Milus’ widow, Laura Milus, filed the lawsuit claiming negligence, but the court affirmed that Sun Valley had proper safety measures in place and that skiing involves inherent risks, ending a nearly six-year legal battle.
The case drew wide attention across the ski industry due to its potential to reshape how Idaho’s Ski Liability Act is applied. An earlier lower court ruling favored Sun Valley, but that decision was temporarily overturned before the Supreme Court ultimately reinstated it.
David Alden, general manager at Soldier Mountain, said the case has been a key concern within the industry, with operators fearing a decision against Sun Valley could have forced costly operational changes — including increased signage, safety markings, and insurance expenses.
Alden noted that insurance costs for ski areas are already approaching crisis levels, especially for smaller resorts. The ruling helps preserve legal protections long afforded to ski operators under Idaho law.
