Dangers of Snow Sports: Injuries While Skiing or Snowboarding (2024)

FAQs

Dangers of Snow Sports: Injuries While Skiing or Snowboarding? ›

The most common injuries for skiers and snowboarders are knee injuries, followed by head injuries. Skiers are more likely to have knee injuries, while snowboarders are more likely to have wrist injuries. Other common injuries include shoulder dislocations, ankle sprains, and fractures.

The most common injuries for skiers and snowboarders are knee injuries, followed by head injuries. Skiers are more likely to have knee injuries, while snowboarders are more likely to have wrist injuries. Other common injuries include shoulder dislocations, ankle sprains, and fractures.

Any part of the body can be injured during skiing or snowboarding, including the head, spine, pelvis, arms and legs. The biggest difference between skiing and snowboarding injuries is location. Skiers tend to injure lower extremities, especially the knees and lower legs, which can get tangled up during a fall.

Cold-related injuries include frostbite, hypothermia, muscle sprains and strains, 'snow blindness' and sunburn. However, many of the risks can be reduced with planning, adequate preparation and proper equipment.

Knee injuries make up nearly half of all ski injuries, predominantly with ACL and MCL tears and knee meniscus injuries. But skiers are also subject to injuries beyond the knee, like shoulder injuries, including dislocations and sprains, head injuries, fractures, and even skier's thumb, which is unique to skiing.

Generally, skiing is easier to learn than snowboarding for most people, but it largely depends on your comfort level and overall balance and coordination. Skiing tends to be easier because your feet are attached to two different boards. You can adjust your footing with the skis attached to keep your balance.

Heavy snow can immobilize a region and paralyze a city, stranding commuters, closing airports, stopping the flow of supplies, and disrupting emergency and medical services. The weight of snow can cause roofs to collapse and knock down trees and power lines.

Risk factors in skiing include: use of equipment, skill level, alcohol/drug use, terrain condition, type of terrain, age, sex, and weather conditions.

Overall Ski Injury Rates

Every year, approximately 600,000 people in the U.S. experience skiing-related injuries. As a result, there are approximately 2 to 3 injuries per 1,000 skier days. Snowboarders face an even higher injury rate of 30%.

What is the number one snowboard injury? ›

Wrist, Hand or Thumb Injuries

One of the most common snowboarding injuries is a wrist fracture. Snowboarders' wrists are broken when they fall on their outstretched hands. The pressure on the wrist bones is too great and these consequently break. Wrist sprains can also occur, where the ligaments are torn.

Since then, broken legs from skiing has become almost non-existent after skis were updated to come off at more appropriate times during a crash. As for snowboards, they don't come off during a crash. The edge of the board acts an immediate break in the snow which often leads to fractures. Hence, more injuries.

Excess speed, loss of control and collisions with stationary objects, like a tree or lift tower, are the most common factors associated with fatalities. The National Safety Council advises all skiers and snowboarders to review proper skills and safety techniques.

76,000 injuries from snow skiing. 53,000 injuries from snowboarding. 48,000 injuries from ice skating.

While the bumpy ride can be thrilling, it can also be dangerous. Every year thousands of people are injured sledding in parks, streets and recreational areas. Most of these injuries are preventable. In many ways, sledding is more dangerous than skiing or snowboarding.

Wrist, Hand or Thumb Injuries

One of the most common snowboarding injuries is a wrist fracture. Snowboarders' wrists are broken when they fall on their outstretched hands. The pressure on the wrist bones is too great and these consequently break. Wrist sprains can also occur, where the ligaments are torn.

Some activities, like skiing and snowboarding, are inherently dangerous. There is a risk of bodily injury and harm once you set foot on the snow from people colliding with one another, being poked by a ski, or running into a tree.

But winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling, and ice hockey can put people at increased risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain.