DENVER -- A snowboarder who sued Aspen Skiing Co. after an employee hit him with a snowmobile in 2006 has lost an appeal in the case.

The U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver sided with the resort in its dispute with Chris Robinette. Robinette sued the company after colliding with a snowmobile driven by an employee at the Snowmass Ski Area in 2006.

A three-judge panel concluded that Robinette couldn't sue for damages because he signed a liability waiver when he bought his season pass.

Robinette, a California resident, suffered a broken leg and kneecap when he collided with a snowmobile that was driven up the slope by a lift maintenance worker. The snowmobile ended up on top of Robinette.

Aspen Skiing Co. said the maintenance worker was driving the snowmobile responsibly on a call.

"I think this case, and most other accidents, show how critically important it is for skiers and riders to know and to follow the Ski Safety Act," said David Bellack, SkiCo's general counsel and a senior vice president. "Mr. Robinette took a blind jump and it would have been a very different case if he had taken that jump and hit a five-year-old."