Alcohol Access in Mixed-Age Family Environments
Unlike a 21+ nightclub, a ski lodge is a mixed environment where children and adults mingle freely. This creates a high-risk scenario for underage access. Minors often use older siblings’ passes, ‘borrow’ wristbands, or rely on lax enforcement in cafeteria-style dining halls to obtain alcohol. We analyze whether the venue implemented adequate control measures—such as separate 21+ zones, distinct wristbanding, or roving security—to prevent minors from accessing alcohol in these chaotic, high-traffic settings.
Identifying Compliance Failures
Wristband Integrity: Audit of the wristband system (paper vs. locking plastic) to determine if minors could easily transfer credentials from adults.
“Cafeteria Style” Service: Evaluating self-service grab-and-go coolers where minors can physically access beer/wine before reaching a cashier.
Vertical ID Detection: Reviewing if staff were trained to flag “Vertical” (under 21) driver’s licenses or if they simply glanced at the card without verifying the date.
Third-Party Sales: Analyzing CCTV to identifying if adults were purchasing “pitchers” or “buckets” and distributing them to minors at tables without staff intervention.
Digital & Physical of the Access Audits
We do not rely on guesswork to prove underage service. We audit the systems. By reviewing Point of Sale (POS) denial logs, we can see if staff were actively checking IDs or just hitting the ‘Age Verified’ button automatically. We also analyze surveillance footage of the specific transaction to see if the server followed the mandatory ‘Look, Ask, Calculate’ protocol or if they bypassed the check entirely for a ‘local’ or ‘regular’ customer.
our team
Preston Rideout
Expert Witness
Ryan Dahlstrom
Expert Witness
Silver Gordon
Expert Witness
Ski Resort Alcohol
Liability FAQ
We provide objective, data-driven evaluations of beverage service operations within mountain environments. Our analysis determines if a venue adhered to industry standards or if systemic failures in oversight contributed to a specific alcohol-related incident.
Potentially. Venues have a duty to prevent "Third Party Transfers." If a server watches an adult buy four beers but only has one ID, and then hands them to three teenagers at the next table, the venue failed to intervene in an obvious violation.
The standard is "Reasonable Reliance." We examine the ID used. If it was an obvious fake (wrong height/eye color, peeling laminate) or a novelty card that a scanner would have rejected, the venue cannot claim they were "tricked."
While not always legally required, it is a Best Practice in high-volume lodges. If a venue allows minors to sit at the bar rail next to drinking adults, they are assuming a higher risk and must have higher supervision levels to match.
Request Ski Resort Expert Assistance
Expert witness support is available for matters involving underage alcohol service and compliance failures in ski resort environments. Assistance focuses on ID verification protocols, access controls, and supervision.
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