Whats in your bag for a weeks skiing?

Thanks Dave Mac, it does sound rather dangerous. I was lucky - no injuries :D

Ally

AllyG wrote:Thanks Dave Mac, it does sound rather dangerous. I was lucky - no injuries :D

Ally

in an attempt to bring several threads together this presents an interesting question. Is sliding down a hill safer now in percentage terms than it was say 50 years ago. We all have top line equipment, some have protective gear, we watch what we drink, blah, blah.

Given that, I still guess it's not safer, could be wrong mind.

Some aspects are safer, some less safe, some different.

I have mentioned cable bindings. If they were not serviced regularly, the cable became trapped, hence the result mentioned. The devlopment of latch-up bindings were a big step forward in reduction of breaks and twists.

That still left the issue of retainer straps. When you fell, there were 4 ~ 2metre long razor sharp edges whirling round your head, and facial cuts were an issue.

The step in binding, and the development of better micro design elements, together with reduced friction material, lead to another step up in safety.

If you look at Ally's photo as an 8 year old, look how low the boots are, like walking boots. Most breaks were ankle breaks. Now these are Tib & Fib breaks. There was a 3 year period in the early 70s when very high boots were worn, up to 3 inches below the knee. These were developed to cater for the new French style skiing, avaloment, downward unweighting. The use of these boots lead to some horrible breaks, quite high up on the leg.

The move to shorter skis also lead to a greater level of safety, due mainly to the lower leverage forces on the legs, and also the quicker learning time.

On the other hand, quicker learning times introduced new problems, in that beginners had an expectation of being quickly onto red runs, and then blacks. This is encouraged by the lack of run deignation standards, particularly in Europe. So some abilities were built up, without building up experience and mountaincraft.

Hence you now have some skiers who have completed a couple of "black" runs, and then go downhilling on red runs. They hit some hard pack, and lose control. They often don't injure themselves, but cause serious injuries to others.

Another technical addition is the development and implementation of DIN standards on Binding settings.

I think you may have confirmed my thoughts Dave. The risk is different now than it was. The alcohol thread made me wonder. I don't believe that your local in Austria worried about his schnapps consumption before strapping on two splintered planks and heading for his sheep more than "we" do having mulled wine at lunch. We are safer in terms of personal safety now with the advent of protective devices. On the whole, however, given volume and experience of that volume, we are probably less safe.

I think there were fewer serious injuries. The out-of-control skier/boarder is one relatively new hazard. I had a couple of big bangs when I was younger. I have only fallen once on the piste in the last 4 seasons. (Loads of off-pistes!) But I seem to get wiped out from behind every year or two.

I think we are thinking the same way. I would be interested to know how others feel or think. Skiing or snowboarding is a risky sport in my opinion but not an extreme one. One can minimize or maximize depending on ones sensibilities, but the person who understands risk is probably safer than an individual who does not. I have had two collisions, Skidaddle witnessed one which was my fault. The other was being wiped out by a skier and sliding into another, he was aggressive to the point of heart attack with the wrong person.

I like speed and risk. However through choice take myself away from others who might not feel the same.

It's nothing more than a pleasure, I get pleasure from risk. 96km on Zermatts piste in about 11 hours shows my love for speed also. When I tire, and subsequently give up. Too much risk.

I think there are too many who don't understand risk and therefore cause it.

That is well put Tino. The key is experience, common sense and strength of mind to say no, when you feel that a situation would be correct.

Three years ago, I was sat with a group of friends at a mountain hut. One guy suggested a particular run, I said no, on behalf of me and my OH, the reason being that the snow on that run will be crud, leg break stuff. My ski buddy Mel said the same.
The guy's wife, didn't want her man to lose face, and she agreed to go with him. An hour later she was helicoptered to the hospital.