We’ve all been at the airport and seen people being wheeled through security or hobbling through the departure lounge on crutches…this doesn’t have to be you!! I’m not saying that you can 100% prevent an injury whilst on a ski holiday because … you can’t. BUT you can at least reduce the risk by taking a few simple steps.
HELMET
Wear a helmet…you may be the best skier in the world and never fall over, but you can’t control the people around you. At least you stand a chance if you have a helmet on and you get wiped out.
BOOTS!
Make sure you get your boots fitted by someone who is suitably qualified and take your time in making sure they are definitely the right boots for you. PLEASE don’t buy them online!! If your boots are too big or not done up tight enough and you fall over your bindings might not release! This is when injuries (particularly knee injuries) occur.
SKIS
-BINDINGS!
The whole point of ski bindings is that they release when you fall over. This
is one of the reasons they ask your weight and ski ability when fitting you
with skis. Be honest…If you are a beginner…tell them you are a beginner. The
tighter the binding the more force it will take for the ski’s to come off. If
you fall over, you want your ski to come off straight away…you don’t’ want it
falling off after you’ve fallen 100 metres down the slope and ruptured both
ACL’s!!
-EDGES
Getting your edges sharpened can make a huge difference! Especially in Icy conditions. If you’re edges aren’t in good condition, you can’t dig them into the ice…you’re then much more likely to slide over and … Hello Broken wrist!!
SKI TO YOUR ABILITY
Ski the slopes that suit your ability…if you’ve only ever skied once in your life, its probably not advisable to head straight to the steepest black mogul run in resort on the 1st day! (Especially after an afternoon spent drinking and dancing on the tables at the Folie Douce!!!!)
CONDITIONS
Be wary of conditions! 1 slope can be completely different in the morning to the afternoon and you need to be able to adjust to this.
Icy? Dig your edges in and don’t try to stop on an icy patch!!
Slushy? Tighten up your boots – if you catch an edge you want your bindings to come off!
Poor visibility? Stick to tree runs – visibility will be better and generally speaking…If you can see where you’re going you’re less likely to crash and injure yourself.
TIREDNESS
Majority of accidents happen towards the 2nd half of the week and in the afternoon. People are getting tired; they’re getting up early skiing all day and staying up late drinking/socialising. Take a rest day if you’re feeling tired or achy.
ALCOHOL
Drinking seems to be a big part of the ski culture in the Alps! Even the most experienced of skiers are much more at risk of injury after they’ve had a few drinks! Save your après until your safely off the mountain and you don’t have to ski back…OR just get the lift down!! Also…watch out for other drunk skiers!!! Worth bearing in mind your insurance will be void if you’ve got alcohol in your system as well!
OTHER PEOPLE
Unfortunately most injuries are as a result of colliding with another skier! Generally speaking the rule of thumb is ‘Give way to the downhill skier’…however my advice would be; Be aware of everyone around you, don’t take it for granted that the person behind you is keeping an eye on where you are going.
- Try to keep your turns predictable – don’t suddenly change direction without checking there’s no one behind you
- Try not to stop suddenly in the middle of the slope
WHERE TO STOP?
Never stop below the brow of a hill or on a corner – people won’t be able to see you and won’t have time to stop once they have seen you!
Never stop on a narrow bit of piste – its not only dangerous … its annoying!! Wait until you get to a nice wide bit of piste where you can stop at the side of the run out of the way!
Never stop in the middle of the slope – again its annoying and you are very likely to get hit!
Most importantly, have an amazing (injury free) holiday!!