ADA Compliance

Accessibility Features at our Resort

• Accessible parking spaces
• There are several accessible ADA Parking areas for resort guests with handicapped parking permits for access to our facilities.
• These spaces are located in front of our Helm Family Lodge at our Base Area. 
• Accessible restrooms
• Accessible pathways and elevators
• Dodge Ridge has two elevators on-site.  
• These are accessible via the Creekside Lodge and Helm Family Lodge. 

Accommodations

We are committed to providing effective communication and dedicated to reasonably accommodating the needs of individuals with disabilities. Guests requiring specific accommodations should contact our Front Desk at, (209) 965-3302, in advance to discuss their needs and make necessary arrangements.

Mobility Devices – Winter Operations

The ski area allows individuals with mobility disabilities to use designated devices, such as wheelchairs and other manually powered aids, in areas/facilities open to the public.

This ski area allows the use of adaptive devices or other manually powered mobility aids on the slopes.

Adaptive devices may be defined as specialized equipment that has been designed and manufactured primarily for use by individuals who have disabilities, including but not limited to mono-skis, bi-skis, sit-skis, and outriggers.

Dodge Ridge prohibits the use of any power-drive-driven mobility device’ on ski trails or within the ski area boundary (as defined by the National Forest Service), except for the use of snowmobiles by Dodge Ridge employees as defined in the Resorts Snowmobile Guideline. This Ski Area has determined that the use of power-driven devices or vehicles by the public, including other power-driven mobility devices used by individuals with mobility disabilities, would conflict with the Ski Area’s safety requirements necessary for the reasonably safe operations of our on-slope activities. These safety concerns include the use of devices on the slopes that expose the user and skiers/snowboarders to a safety hazard; collisions with downhill riders; the use of devices that may provide access into closed areas that pose avalanche hazards. These safety concerns are compounded by our facility’s high volume of trail use. These safety requirements are based on actual risks and are not intended to be discriminatory in any way.

Mobility Devices – Summer Operations

(Subject to Change)

Dodge Ridge Resort facilities are open to the public during the off-season (typically mid-April through the beginning of November). If a guest with a disability is attending a private event hosted at Dodge Ridge during the off-season mobility devices shall be permitted in accordance with the following exceptions.

The use of any power-driven devices or vehicles by the public, including other power-driven mobility devices used by individuals with mobility disabilities, creates a substantial risk of serious harm to the immediate environment and natural resources. Due to the need to address soil integrity, erosion, and vegetative concerns, the Resort has adopted a “no motorized” policy for the public during the summer season and their use is prohibited on areas not paved on the resort premises. Devices may be used on all paved areas. Visitors or guests attending a function or participating in other resort activities may request in advance and if available a reasonable accommodation for transportation.

Service Animal Policy

Dodge Ridge Resort welcomes guests with disabilities, including those who use service animals and is committed to providing a positive and inclusive experience for all.

A service animal is defined as a dog or, in some cases, a miniature horse, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.

Dodge Ridge complies with ADA regulations (§ 35.136) as follows:

Guests with service animals are responsible for the care and control of their animals at all times.

Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents the use of these devices. In such cases, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

Service animals are not permitted in areas where their presence may pose a safety risk or where access is restricted by law.

A service animal may be excluded from our resort if:

• The animal is out of control and the individual does not take effective action to control it.
• The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
• The animal is not housebroken.

If a guest is asked to remove their Service Animal for out-of-control behavior, the guest is permitted to finish whatever activity they came to do without the Service Animal present. Only the Service Animal may be excluded for out-of-control behavior, not the guest as well.

Service Animals on Lifts

Service animals are permitted in all base areas of Dodge Ridge that are open to the public, including indoor and outdoor facilities.

For safety purposes, service animals are not permitted to ride the chair lifts. Due to size and weight constraints, the use of miniature horses is prohibited on all chair lifts.

Service animals are prohibited on all our ski slopes as they directly conflict with our safety requirements and impede the reasonably safe operation of our chairlifts and on-slope activities.

Inquiries

Dodge Ridge shall not ask about the nature or extent of a person’s disability but may make two inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service animal. An entity may ask (1) if the animal is required because of a disability and (2) what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

Dodge Ridge may ask persons using an “other power mobility device’ to provide a credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person’s disability. Dodge Ridge accepts the presentations of a valid, State-issued, disability parking placard or card, or other state-issued proof of Disability, as a credible assurance that the use of another power-driven mobility device is for the individual’s mobility disability. In the absence of proof, Dodge Ridge shall allow the use of other power-driven mobility devices if the individual states it is being used for disability. Any evidence to the contrary may be evaluated and acted upon by this resort.

Dodge Ridge is dedicated to providing a remarkable resort experience for all visitors and guests and will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

For more information, you may contact our Front Desk at, (209) 965-3302.