Safety on the Slopes

Winter sports are a thrill-seeker’s dream, with plenty of adrenaline-fuelled activities to try out. Hitting the slopes is always guaranteed to be a fun day but it’s important to stay safe, because the mountain can often be unpredictable, and, like any sport, there are always some risks involved. Being well-prepared will help you minimise the chance of an injury and will give you the skills and confidence to act fast in the event of a medical emergency.

Check the Weather

Before you set out for the day, make sure that you check the latest weather reports, including wind speed, snowfall, and sun. People can often underestimate the weather in winter, but when you’re heading to the slopes it’s important to be cautious and remember that the weather can turn in minutes when you’re at such high altitudes. If the forecast is adverse, don’t underestimate its effect on the terrain, and save the snowboarding for another day if you don’t feel completely comfortable with the conditions.

Most resorts now offer up-to-date weather warnings and advice on their social media channels. These are good indicators of what the piste you’re heading to will be like on the day.    

Come Equipped

Aside from checking that your board and gear are all in proper working condition, there are a few things you need to bring with you.

Sunglasses or tinted ski-goggles to protect your eyes should always be part of your kit, to ensure that you have full visibility at all times. A blinding ray of sun can easily distract you and lead to an accident.

The correct clothing also factors into safety; you should be wearing protective gear and the right amount of layers for the weather. Make sure that what you’re planning on wearing is waterproof and insulated enough to keep you warm, but light enough so that you won’t overheat during the day – winter sports are energy-intensive, and the last thing you want is to pass out from overheating!

You should also bring a small first-aid kit – although there will be a first-aid station on the premises, it never hurts to come equipped with your own kit, and if you’re planning on going off-piste then an automated external defibrillator (AED) is also a worthwhile investment.

Stay Together

We’ve already established that winter sports are both fun and dangerous, with the average snowboarder travelling at speeds of 25-35 miles per hour. Although we all hope that we won’t encounter an incident, it’s important to always head out with someone else, just in case we do. Getting help in the case of an injury or medical emergency is far easier if you have someone to assist you, or to get help if you are too injured to do it yourself.

Don’t Be a Show-Off

It can be tempting to engage in a bit of friendly competition, but you should know your own limits and abilities when it comes to winter sports. Although professionals and more experienced snowboarders can make it looks easy, you need to respect how easily things can go wrong on the slopes and turn to a trained instructor for coaching if you want to become more skilled.

What to Do in an Emergency

In case things do go wrong, being well-prepared for an emergency situation can save valuable time. Aside from having a first-aid kit on hand, you should familiarise yourself with where the nearest medical station is and always carry a mobile phone in order to quickly contact the emergency services. If you’re planning on going abroad to enjoy some winter fun, make sure that you know what the emergency number in the country is ahead of time.

You should also consider undertaking a basic first-aid course to equip yourself with the training necessary to administer medical assistance until help arrives, and learn how to perform CPR – a life-saving procedure.