An operator shall install and maintain on or near the top of each winter sports area vehicle that is present on any designated trail of a winter sports area during the operating hours of any passenger tramway serving that trail a flashing or rotating light that flashes or rotates whenever the vehicle is on any such trail. An operator also shall install and maintain on any snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or any other similarly sized vehicle that is present on any designated trail during the operating hours of any passenger tramway serving that trail a red or orange flag that is at least 40 square inches in size and is mounted at least five feet from the bottom of the vehicle's tracks or tires.
§ 8.01-227.15.Winter sports area vehicles.
Chapter 3. Actions · Article 25. Winter Sports Safety Act · Last amended 2012 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-227.15 requires a flashing or rotating light on any winter sports area vehicle present on an open trail during a servicing tramway’s operating hours, and a visible red or orange flag on snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and similarly sized vehicles.
Full Text of § 8.01-227.15
Plain-English Summary
Any winter sports area vehicle present on a designated trail while a passenger tramway serving that trail is running must carry a flashing or rotating light on or near its top, active for as long as the vehicle stays on the trail.
Snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and other similarly sized vehicles need an additional marker: a red or orange flag of at least forty square inches, mounted at least five feet above the bottom of the vehicle’s tracks or tires. Both requirements exist for the same reason — to make a moving vehicle visible to skiers and riders sharing the same trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do grooming or patrol vehicles on a Virginia ski trail have to be marked?
Yes. Section 8.01-227.15 requires a flashing or rotating light while the vehicle is on a designated trail during the operating hours of a tramway serving that trail.
What flag requirements apply to snowmobiles and ATVs at a Virginia winter sports area?
A red or orange flag at least forty square inches in size, mounted at least five feet from the bottom of the vehicle’s tracks or tires.
When do these vehicle-marking requirements apply?
Whenever the vehicle is present on a designated trail during the operating hours of a passenger tramway that serves that trail.
Does this rule apply to large snow-grooming equipment as well as smaller vehicles?
“Winter sports area vehicle” is defined broadly enough in § 8.01-227.11 to include snow-grooming equipment alongside snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles, and the flashing-light requirement applies to it.
Why does Virginia law require flags and lights on these vehicles?
To make vehicles moving through active ski terrain visible to the skiers and riders sharing the same trail, reducing the risk of collision.
Amendment History
2012, c. 713.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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