Always stay in control.
This
is the No. 1 rule from the National Ski Areas Association. An
out-of-control skier or snowboarder can be a danger to himself and
everyone downslope.
A corollary of this rule is that someone
ahead of you has the right of way. So if you're flying down the hill
and someone is taking lazy snowplow turns ahead of you--it is your
responsibility to slow down and make sure you don't hit them or even
cruise by them so fast you knock them off balance.
Use equipment safely.
If
you are renting equipment, make sure your boots and bindings are
properly fitted by professionals because ill-fitting equipment can lead
to unnecessary accidents. And if you own your own equipment, check at
least once a season to make sure everything's in top shape.
It's
also vital that you wear appropriate clothing for the locale. Spring
skiing in California can lend itself to runs in jeans and sweaters, but
colder climates require more layers, including wicking fabrics that
will keep your skin dry even as you sweat and an outer layer to protect
you from the wind. And don't forget to make sure your hands and head
are adequately covered, and wear sunglasses and sunscreen when you're
going to be exposed for long periods of time.
This also extends
to knowing the proper method for keeping your equipment on your person.
Take advantage of devises that keep your equipment from running away
from you if you're knocked down. These include everything from straps
for your ski poles to clips for your gloves or mittens.
Get the skills.
To
navigate on skis or a snowboard, you need instruction on the basics
including how to safely fall down and get back up, how to stop without
obstructing other skiers or snowboarders, and how to rejoin the flow of
traffic once you restart.
Beginner's lessons are a must for
first-time trips, but even advanced skiers or snowboarders can make
good use of a refresher course when they first head back to the
mountain after months away. It never hurts to get some skilled advice
on how to make the most of your time on the slopes.
And make
sure you know how to get onto and off of ski lifts, which can be a
struggle for beginning skiers or snowboarders. Many newer lifts
automatically slow down for loading and unloading, but if you're
dealing with an older lift and are nervous about getting the timing
right, lift operators may be willing to slow the pace so you make sure
you get situated correctly.
Consider a helmet.
The
use of helmets on ski slopes has jumped in recent years for everyone
from first-timers to speedsters who know that a collision with a
non-moving object could result in a devastating head injury, or worse.
Nearly half of skiers or riders wore helmets during the 2008/2009 season, according to the National Ski Areas Association. The number jumped among children: three-quarters of skiers and riders under the age of 9 wear helmets while about 66 percent of skiers and riders between the ages of 10 and 14 wear them.
But make sure the helmet doesn't spur you to
reckless behavior. Jasper Shealy, a professor emeritus at the Rochester
Institute of Technology who has studied ski injuries for almost 40
years, told the New York Times that if you hit a tree at "speeds common
to skiing ... you will exceed the capacity of the helmet to save you."
Shealy added, "The message is not: Don't wear a helmet. It is: Don't hit a tree."
Get in shape before you get atop the mountain.
Skiing
and snowboarding are physically taxing activities that involve
cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength and general coordination. If
you decide to go skiing despite months of hard work in the couch-potato
arena you could find yourself seriously sore after your first go, or
even unable to navigate down a difficult slope.
Follow the rules.
Accidents happen when excited skiers and riders head onto closed trails and out-of-bound areas. A report in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that chances for injury increased when skiers had a high "readiness for risk" while the National Ski Areas Association reports that fatalities increase among populations engaging in high-risk behavior.
So increase your chances of a safe day on the slopes; follow all posted signs and follow the rules of the slopes.
If in doubt, get it checked out.
A
seemingly minor accident can have devastating consequences. Actress
Natasha Richardson was killed in February 2009 after a fall while
skiing on a beginner's trail at the Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec led
to bleeding in her skull. Although the 45-year-old actress said she
felt okay and refused immediate medical attention, autopsy later found
that immediate treatment may have saved her life.