Sounds like distribution of wealth to me! Can't get the money from the guy who caused it so go after the business that might have deep pockets! Name of the game these days and it sucks!!
Nope - just fair and equitable allocation of risk. If the ski area is negligent, it should pay up, whether it is insured or not. If the ski area satisfied all of its duties of care to the skier and the skier is still injured, the resort should not pay. Skiers assume most but not all of the risks associated with skiing when they purchase a ticket. But they certainly should not be asked to bear the risk that a resort will discharge the duties it owes to them in a negligent manner. I don't think any one in this thread (with the exception of maybe Steve) would argue that a ski area should be immune to liability for its negligent or reckless actions or inactions.