Ski Lifts and Tows

Plan Review

Plan review is required for construction, installation, relocation, or addition to a passenger ropeway. DSPS plan approval must be received before starting construction.

Plans must be submitted to DSPS via esla.wi.gov. You will need to provide:

1. Owner information.

2. Site location.

3. Ropeway information.

4. Plan set. Plans must include:

   1. Name of owner and location of system.

   2. Name and address of system designer.

   3. Plot plan showing the location of the system with respect to property lines, easements, adjoining streets, alleys, electrical transmission lines and other hazards, and any other buildings or structures on the site.

   4. Site plan and profile map showing the location of towers, power units, counterweights, and pits, as applicable.

   5. Clearances of towers, system path, and counterweights.

   6. Details of construction mountings, foundations, supports, sheave assemblies, and carriages.

   7. Footing and foundation and anchorage block (if applicable) sizes, reinforcement sizes, locations, depths below grade, strengths, etc.

   8. Drive station terminal, return station terminal, and tower framing including columns, cross arm, braces, beams/headers, base plates and connection details, strengths, materials used, sizes, dimensions of components, etc.

   9. Location, design, and connection details of tow handles the "haul rope," if applicable.

   10. Sheave and carriage anchorage and connections.

   11. Plans and structural calculations correspond to one another.

5. Supporting documentation including, but not limited to:

   1. Structural calculations.

   2. Soil bearing capacities.

   3. Live loads and itemized dead loads.

   4. Unit stresses for structural materials.

   5. Wire rope strengths.

   6. Capacities

6. Plan review fee payment.

See the eSLA Information page for user guides and general instructions. 

Upon DSPS's conditional approval of the plan set, DSPS will perform acceptance inspection(s). See the Ski Lift and Tow Plan Review Acceptance Inspection Requirements page for more information.

Registration/Permit

All passenger ropeways and lifts shall be registered with DSPS annually. Registration results in a permit to operate (PTO).

Registrations and PTO renewal applications must be submitted to DSPS via esla.wi.gov. You will need to provide:

1. Owner information.

2. Site location information.

3. Lift/Tow information.

4. Registration/PTO fee payment.

See the eSLA Information page for user guides and general instructions.

Inspection

Inspections are required for new ski lift or tow installations requiring plan review. The attraction shall not be opened to the public until it has been inspected by DSPS.

All passenger ropeways, including existing passenger ropeways installed or constructed prior to November 1, 2012, shall be inspected at least once every 12 months by DSPS or a third-party independent inspector. This inspection is required before the ropeway permit to operate (PTO) can be renewed.

The owner may choose to have a third-party (not DSPS) perform the ski/tow inspection. To do so, notify DSPS via DSPSSBHealthandSafetyTech@wisconsin.gov no later than January 1 of the inspection year. 

DSPS may also conduct periodic inspections of any ski lift or tow.

Report an Accident

During regular business hours, call 608-445-6558.

After hours, weekends, or holidays, call Wisconsin Emergency Management after-hours incident reporting at 1-800-943-0003 x2.