4 Safety Tips For Skiing
One of our values is adventure. We love encouraging people to have fun outdoors. However, nature can pose some obstacles that are dangerous if you are not careful. For example, I got into an accident while skiing a few weeks ago. I ended up with a mild concussion! Definitely a set back for a few days; however, I was wearing a helmet and the accident could have resulted in a much worse injury if I hadn’t had the right gear on. Today, we are going to talk about some simple things that you should have when skiing or snowboarding.
Protect Your Head
Wear a helmet. My example from the intro should speak for itself; however, there are so many people that still do not wear a helmet. It doesn’t matter how experienced of a skier or snowboarder you are, accidents happen – people run into you, a random tree pops out of nowhere, you hit some ice, the list goes on. Helmets protect your head from severe injuries like concussions that can lead to memory loss, vision issues, seizures, and much more.
Helmets are not foolproof. They prevent injuries from being worse than the injury would be without protection. Look for helmets labeled “MIPS” which means “Multi-Directional Impact Protection System”. These helmets feature special technology that absorbs more forces during impact than regular helmets. In many cases, helmets don’t always completely eliminate injury. So, if you do fall and something doesn’t feel right – check with the medical team on site.
Shield Your Eyes
Goggles protect your eyes from the sun and protect your eyes from foreign objects. Foreign objects that can end up in your eyes if you don’t have your goggles on: skis, ski poles, rocks, sticks, snow, ice, and dirt. Doesn’t sound great, does it? These objects can really irritate your eyes, and can even cause you to wreck due to lack of vision. Keep your goggles on, and you won’t have to deal with that or getting an eye patch.
Another good reason to keep goggles with you is that they keep you warm! Riding the chair lift up to the top of the mountain can be a cold and windy ride. Goggles protect your eyes from foreign objects but they also keep your face from getting chilly and wind burnt. Be sure to have your goggles on even when you’re not riding down a hill, and you can avoid these inconveniences.
Layer It On
Pack plenty of clothes! The temperature changes vastly in the mountains compared to lower elevations. At base, it may feel nice and warm with the sun out, but when you take the ski lift to the top of the mountain, it can get insanely cold. It’s a lot easier to take something off if you’re too hot than having to head back to your car for more clothes.
As for what to wear - be sure to wear base layers, insulated clothes, and waterproof pants and coats. Additionally, pack socks, waterproof gloves, scarfs or muffs, and a hat. Waterproof outer-clothing is a must in the snow. Once your clothes get wet, it’s very difficult to dry, and your clothes can begin to freeze. Wear plenty of layers to adjust to this temperature variation and avoid frostbite or hypothermia!
Protect Your Skin
Keep chapstick and sunscreen close by. Some believe sunscreen is only for summer; however, being outside in the winter poses its own concerns about skin safety. As a result of being at a high elevation when skiing, the atmosphere provides less protection from UV rays than compared to being at sea level. Additionally, the UV rays that cause sunburn and skin cancer aren’t only beating down on you from the sky, but are also coming at you from other directions by reflecting off of the ice and snow on the ground. This causes sunburn even during cold winter days, and can be more intense than getting sunburn at the beach.
As for the chapstick, it can protect you from UV rays, but it's also necessary for protection against windburn. When skiing, the air is cold and dry. Pair that with windy conditions from sliding down a mountain, and you end up with itchy, burnt, and cracked lips. Be sure to pack these items to protect your skin from these harsh elements!
Stay Hydrated
Always have water on hand. I’ve literally seen people faint at ski resorts due to dehydration. In the mountains, the air is dryer than lower elevations. With less humidity, more sweat evaporates from your body than usual, and more vapor leaves your body when breathing. This causes your body to lose water faster than usual – resulting in early onset of dehydration.
Additionally, cold tends to suppress the feeling of thirst. When being high in the mountains, you lose more water than normal but don’t actually feel as thirsty. As a result, people don’t drink enough water due to their lack of thirst and get extremely dehydrated. Always have a bottle or backpack of water with you and remember to drink some on a regular basis.
Since adventure is one of our core values, we want to encourage you to have fun in the outdoors while also staying safe! Winter sports are definitely not as fun when you spend it with the medical team and not your friends or family! Of course, accidents happen, but being prepared with this list of items will alleviate a lot of negative opportunities. Visit the slopes with a plan and the right equipment, and you’ll be sure to have a great adventure outdoors. Until the next update, let’s keep making a difference!