Serious ski and snowboard accidents are rare, but it’s always sad and thought-provoking when something unfortunate happens that makes the news.
In January, my family and I were discussing this accident involving children at Squaw Valley.
As ski parents, we’ve invested a lot of time in helping our sons learn to be safe. This is especially true as my husband is a risk management professional.
Today, his thoughts and recommendations on risk management for skiers and snowboarders.
For thirty years, my work as an Insurance Consultant and an Associate of Risk Management has funded my skiing passion. It’s also helped me keep myself and my family safe.
Risk Management is the process of identifying risks, assessing risks and controlling risks. These principles can be applied to any skiing situation with positive results for you, your family, and your friends.
Risk Management can mean the difference between a great ski day, and a potential disaster.
Identifying Ski Day Risks
Some of the risks you encounter when skiing include transportation, moving objects, snow conditions, and terrain.
Assessing Ski Day Risks
Transportation
Transportation risks include road conditions, other vehicles, and the driver skill and experience.
Ask yourself these questions:
What are the current road conditions?
What are the road conditions expected to be on the return trip home?
Do I have the right vehicle for the conditions? Many ski areas are located where traffic authorities require four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles, with snow tires and/or chains. Without these you may not get to your destination.
Does the driver have the experience and knowledge to handle winter driving conditions?
Moving Objects
Moving object risks include other skiers and riders, but can also involve lifts and resort vehicles, like snowmobiles and snowcats.
Ask yourself these questions:
Do we all know and understand the Skier and Snowboarder Responsibility Code?
Is the area I’m skiing or riding going to be busy?
Is it a holiday weekend that will bring the crowds out?
Are we skiing at a busy resort or somewhere small and local? Crowded areas and ski runs have very different risks than skiing less crowded wide open trails.
Do my crew and I have the skills to negotiate the slopes we’ve chosen or do we want to find different trails or quieter slopes for a more confidence-building environment?
Do we all know how to ride the chairlifts? If you don’t, watch others use the lifts and ask questions if you need help.
Are there snowcats or snowmobiles operating on the slope? Pay attention to where they are and stay out of the way.
Weather and Snow Conditions
Once you get to the mountain, the snow conditions and any associated risks need to be identified.
Ask yourself these questions:
What are the snow conditions? If it’s been a long time since it’s snowed, the conditions may be hard and icy. This may can make skiing more challenging and falls way less forgiving.
When did it last snow? New snow can be challenging, too, depending upon how much snow has fallen, the snow consistency, and the lure of closed areas.
I call this the stoke factor, and it’s where you really need to get your ego and endorphins in check.
Powder skiing, while super fun, is not worth taking big risks, whether inside or outside ski area boundaries. Always obey all ropes and closures, and respect ski patrol.
Weather is another factor. Does the forecast call for snow during the day? What about fog or wind, all of which can limit visibility?
Do we all have appropriate clothing and gear for the conditions?
Terrain
Ask yourself these questions:
Have I picked a ski area where the terrain matches my ability and that of my ski buddies? Is the terrain we hope to ski open or will conditions force me out of my comfort zone?
Controlling Ski Day Risks
This is the critical step.
Based on the risk identification and assessment you’ve done, ask yourself this very important question:
What actions am I going to take, or avoid taking, to make my ski day safe, and ultimately more fun?
In other words, how will you control the risks you’ve identified?
No one is immune from risk. I have witnessed an expert skier skiing on a run well within their ability, but on two week old snow, lose a ski on a sun-baked terrain and fall, only to break and dislocate his shoulder.
Any ski day loses its fun after an event like this.
If your vehicle or driving skills don’t meet the requirements to safely get you to and from your ski area, you have options. You could take public transport, rent a better vehicle or have another person with winter driving skills be your pilot.
Equipment, gear and clothing are important factors when skiing and riding. Before you head out to ski or snowboard everyone should have enough warm clothes, including base layers, socks, insulated pants, mid layers, gloves, an insulated windproof jacket, goggles and helmet.
My recommendation is to wear a helmet 100% of the time; no ifs, ands, or butts.
Not only will a helmet keep you warmer, but incidents like safety bars bumping your head, slips, trips, falls, collisions, or even your car’s hatchback closing prematurely are not going to keep you out of the game because of a concussion or head injury.
Evaluate what time you plan to arrive and depart.
I recommend starting your ski day early, when there is less traffic on roads, in parking lots, and when you can get away from base area crowds sooner. Taking an early or late lunch allows you to ski on less crowded trails while the majority of folks are getting their lunch.
Finishing your day a little earlier helps avoid crowded runs back to the base alongside tired skiers who may be barely holding onto their edges after a long day on the slopes. I know, because this has been me on many occasions!
Because you may be tired, getting on the road back home early is always a good idea.
Check Yourself, Don’t Wreck Yourself
One last risk management principle to remember is Check Yourself, Don’t Wreck Yourself.
Natural endorphins from physical exertion, fresh air, and mountain views are a great benefit of skiing.
The skiing stoke, natural high, and excitement can distract you from practicing good risk management, which may lead to accidents and issues. This is especially true if your ego gets involved. While it can be hard to remember, recreational skiing and snowboarding are not competitions.
Make every day a good ski day and a safe ski day. And please note: smart risk management does not equal buzz kill.
Get out there. Enjoy the endorphins. Stoke your ego. Be smart. Know the risks you face and how to management and avoid them.
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