The alleged collision took place in February 2016 at Deer Valley, a glamorous ski resort in the Rocky Mountains above the luxurious larger resort of Park City.
Deer Valley hosted the Winter Olympic skiing events in 2002, while Park City is home to the annual Sundance Film Festival.
Paltrow, wearing a white turtleneck sweater, sat quietly beside Owens as proceedings began on Tuesday. He is expected to take the stand in his defense later.
Owens said Paltrow’s husband Brad Falchuk and children Moses and Apple are scheduled to address the court.
Sanderson says that Paltrow approached her from behind and then disappeared, leaving her unconscious, lying in the snow.