ski risks

Most of us turn out to be really bad at risk assessment, that balancing act of judging potential outcomes against how likely they are to occur. Mostly we probably aim to get it just a little wrong, for me I'd like to think that I just err on the side of caution. Mostly though we get it wrong because we've failed to understand the environment we're in properly and skiing is particularly bad for this.

I've a cliché image in my mind of a holiday skier, going out in the morning secure in the knowledge that the risk they face is someone skiing into them, which is why they've bought a helmet. Someone who's convinced themselves that they're quite safe but it's all those other idiots that are putting them at risk. If you read some of the stuff on other forums (not here) you see how true that is.

But, the truth turns out differently. In fact, for a start, it's a pretty safe activity, accident figures are low and the worst effects you're likely to be suffering when you board your flight back are a few aching muscles, some sun burn and a hangover.

It's a tiny, tiny percentage who have some sort of accident, by that we're meaning something reportable and involving the piste security or medical treatment so the figures are captured.

Maybe surprisingly, your accident will involve no one else. You'll have fallen, hit a stationary object like a rock or tree or just twisted badly enough to hurt yourself. In Switzerland the figure is that only 1 in 20 accidents involve more than one person but the Swiss are as guilty as anyone of failing to recognise the real risk, 51% of skiers are afraid of speeding skiers and 45% think skiers have got more dangerous. Both figures are wrong, in fact there's not even more accidents, but they're getting more serious, more spinal, neck and head injuries are happening.

The one thing I see again and again when I'm out is people not looking behind them, most obviously when they set off failing to look up and across the hill but just generally not taking the chance to glance behind and assess what's going on, it's the ski equivalent of not using the mirrors in the car.

That's interesting because I read elsewhere how people think they can hear skiers coming from behind and avoid them, of course they can't, but they use to identify another risk to themselves, people like me who, from time to time, ski with MP3 players. I mention this because it's another way that people deflect real responsibility from themselves, you can't say it enough, if you have an accident the odds are it's going to be your own fault and involve no one else.

You see the result of that all the time, skiing down some restricted area, a narrow piste or track for example, you come upon people moving slower than you totally unaware you're behind them until a metre or so away at which point they often turn erratically and panic, I'm sure this adds to their feeling of danger but if they learnt to look over their shoulder from time to time things would be more relaxed.

The main thing though, it's all pretty safe, wear a helmet if that risk concerns you, look ahead at what people are doing, try and look behind if you can, try and make it easy for everyone else to avoid you by making regular consistent turns on a predictable line. Basically, there's little to worry about and if we've the right information in our mind we can manage risk a bit better.

It sounds as if you are suggesting a lot of people no longer apply the rules of the slopes anymore.

ALWAYS put good distance between you and the person in front, so that you can avoid any irratic movement or turn.

ALWAYS look up and across the piste before setting off.

ALWAYS slow down when approacing the brow of a hill or a part of the piste you cannot clearly see, or stop if necessary.

ALWAYS stop at the edges of the pistes, not in the middle, and never under the brow of a hill so you cannot be seen until the last minute.

AVOID sudden and unnecessary changes of speed or direction unless you KNOW there is no one behind you.

Regularly check over your shoulder. There is always likely to be someone skiing faster than you who wants to get past.

Do not ski close to or through ski school groups.


I am sure there are plenty of others, but they are the main ones I always adhere to. I dont wear a helmet, but I try to ski as well and as fast as conditions permit me to.

I had an accident in 2006 when a beginner skier (wearing a helmet) crashed into the person in front of me (about 20 metres in front) in the middle of the slope. Just a collision, no one fell, but as this happened, a boarder went over my tips and caused me to fall over, on ice, and slip straight into these 2 people 20 metres in front of me, unable to stop on the ice. One of the people got out of the way, the other simply froze (beginner in the helmet) despite me shouting at her to warn her. I hit her boots and she hit the ice on her head. She was ok, no broken bones, but was groggy and soon got cold. No one wanted to move her. A skiddo came down and radioed for air ambulance and within 10 mins she was off the mountain in a helicopter. Good job she was wearing a helmet, for sure. Completely unavoidable, and caused by first the collision in front of me, but made doubly worse by the boarder going over my tips and causing me to fall. It was a very steep red in the shade, it gets no sun all day, and there are regular accidents on it every day. I was well aware of the dangers of this slope, and skiing well within myself, but the 2 events that took place instantaneously caused the accident. There was no blame, except maybe the boarder who went across me, and was 200m away by the time impact occurred, and therefore unaware of any problems behind him.

It shook me up big time, and I was unable to ski for the rest of the day, I was very wobbly.

1 year later, on the very same slope, I had stopped at the edge having made some video footage of a group of people, uncluding Skidaddle and Ellistine, and had packed my camera away and preparing for departure, when I was sent flying as a skier flew past me in the air, totally out of control having hit a mound of snow and taken off. His ski snapped my pole in half, which was about 3 inches from my left leg. It spun me round, as the pole was over my wrist, but fortunately the only damage was 1 broken pole. I was lucky I didnt break my wrist or arm, or another 3 inches to the right and it would have been at least a leg. I was very lucky, but not as shaken up this time, as there had not been any bodily impact. The guy who nearly took me out crashed some 100m away, skis gloves hat, everything off. He was ok luckily, but showed no remorse, and he and his mates actually found the whole thing very funny. I spotted them a little while later, and they were having a good laugh at my broken pole, which could so easily have been my leg.

The whole point of what I have said is to show that no matter how careful you may think you are being, anything can happen. It is a potentially hazardous pursuit, and as competent as you may be, some scenario can crop up and put you in danger. Its always easy to blame someone else, and both of my incidents could be attributed to other peoples actions. Skidaddle had someone crash into the back of him as they were both skiing quite fast the same holiday, and he was badly bruised and didnt ski for a day afterwards. Fortunately, no lasting damage, but yet again, he is a hugely experienced skier, and he was involved in an accident.

Anything can happen. But if you play by the rules, you MINIMISE the chances of these type of things happening.

It is meant to be something we can all enjoy after all.

A little common sense goes a long way,Preperation in anticipation of unforseen circumstances has to a good thing.That day is far far away when everyone will do the right thing and abide to the etiquette of skiing.
My daughter and her ski class had just gone up the t bar this year, when a group of boarders gathered half way up the nursery slopes.
Moments later a run away board came crashing down into the lift queue,Had the kids still had been there, there as sure as hell would have been some broken bones.A couple of quid for a leash would have saved a lot of misery had the worst happened.
Yes my daughter does wear a SKI HELMET and no it would`nt have saved her from a broken leg, But she would`nt have had a cracked skull when she hit the ground.
Most broken bones can be fixed, Heads are a different kettle of fish.serious head trauma accidents almost alway end in long term if not irreversibly damaged.
I minimise the risk of my children by making them wear a helmet whether its for skiing or riding their bikes.As a parent its MY responsability to keep them safe.


AJ Adele

ise,

It is as simply a thing as people not paying attention to their surroundings. For some reason these people seem to think there is no-one else on the planet. And if they do happen to realize they are not alone ... they really don't care who's path they may be invading. A lack of respect plays into this too.

This was visible at "my" hill last weekend. It was potentially a more dangerous situation than really thick "ski grabbing" snow can provide. Lots of opportunities for accidents like Tony-H mentions. People standing in groups just talking is all the wrong places. In the center of trails, right below sudden drops where they couldn't be seen from someone coming down the hill, and at the head of the queue lines.

These "dudes" who feel they must break something or terrorize the "hill" before they are having fun can cause all sorts of problems. As you say Tony, these collisions aren't accidents. They are something worse since due care prevents most injuries. An accident is something which may not be preventable. Say a failed boot, or a hidden icy patch, or tree hole in the really deep snow, or even an avalanche.

My bet is that the snowboarder who ran over your tips didn't even see you. Maybe you were on his blind side - which most don't seem to realize they have.

I still shudder when I recall an incident where a boarder was quickly approaching my wife. She was in the lead down the hill and he was gaining quickly. She was on his blind side. He past her ski tails missing them by about an inch. He still doesn't know how close he was - luckily she doesn't either. He was probably wondering what I was yelling about. :roll:

I'm in complete agreemnet with ise & Tony-H, we all must remain 100% in focus and know our surroundings. :!:

AS we all know skiing is fun and it can be perfectly safe as well - if we all pay attention. :wink:

And AJ, I'm in complete aagreement with you on this one. I thought a leash was a requirement as much as the binding brakes are. I too have seen these "torpedoes" heading down the hill. And helmets are not only a safety issue - they are warm too :!:



Mike :-)

blimey, you had an eventful holiday tony!

All good advice which I try to cement into my boys' heads, it's all about consideration really which is a life lesson. (I've even warned them about spring snow having read pavelski's thread.)

I make my boys wear helmets, especially when they're bum boarding. I'd never forgive myself if something were to happen to them.

Caron

I don't know why people don't check behind them. I guess I am a little paranoid about taking it in the back, but it isn't that hard to take a glance back, and see who might need past. I, also, hate catching up to people who are oblivious to the world outside their ski tips. You get the random turn pattern, and sudden stops in the middle of the trail(or piste, if you prefer;).

It goes along with the way people drive. The only time they pay attention is when you happen to stand in the way of their progress.

A fine example that comes to mind is a demo day we had this year. The booths were set up at the edge of the base area, and this guy comes up to the Rossi booth carrying his skis. The tech turns from his bench to grab a pair of skis behind him, and this guy drops his skis right in front of his bench to put them on! The tech was so mad - he grabbed the guys skis and threw them out of his area. :)

Anyway, good point Ise: "look around!"

Hi all,

A quote from a Jeff Stock skiing/boarding calender

"vision without action...is a wasted opportunity,
action without vision...can be nightmare"

jonG.

Ise wrote

51% of skiers are afraid of speeding skiers and 45% think skiers have got more dangerous. Both figures are wrong, in fact there's not even more accidents, but they're getting more serious, more spinal, neck and head injuries are happening.

I think this is spot on. In early Niederau days, fixed heaps of leg splints to folk, and helped bring them down on the ackier. Now, there are fewer leg/ankle breaks and more wrists/arms, but overall, as a percentage of skier numbers, I believe the incident rate is lower.

But I agree that accidents have got more serious. In Niederau, January, two helicopters turned out on the same day. Both were high speed hits on protective fences. One was a concussion/fitting, one a loss of feeling in the lower limbs. Fortunately, it appears that both guys may be OK. A helmet would not have affected the outcome in either case.

Much gondola discussion with experienced skiing buddies suggests that the advent of "easier to turn skis" allows people to ski beyond their true ability at an earlier stage.

Like Tony, I have been hit from behind, and I agree with all his "slope rules". There is certainly a concensus among the j2ski respondents, that inexperienced skiers do not look up the hill, prior to setting off.

So:

Should European ski schools be mandated to ensure that slope rules are part of the ski lesson?

Should all skiers have to pass an oral/written safety test? After all, we are obliged to do this in a car travelling more slowly than some inexperienced skiers.

Should European ski areas follow the American lead, and consficate lift passes from people who are deemed to be skiing too quickly/out of their ability range?

I have to say, that if I had been the recipient of Tony's accident, I might have been inclined to remove the guy's lift pass and ski off with it.