It won’t be long before skiing enthusiasts will be able to hit the slopes. Snows will be here before you know it, and if you plan on skiing, it’s time to start getting yourself ready for the activity now, while there’s still time to make the right preparations. There are certain steps you must take part in to protect yourself from injury, and those steps are described in a new report from the Ski Club of Great Britain.
The injury risk presented by things like skiing and snowboarding is prevalent because these two activities are far different than most persons’ basic workout. You’re working entirely different muscle groups than you might if you were to go swimming or jogging, and thus getting into the right frame of mind for skiing is important.
To that end, you’ll want to start training now for any skiing that’s going to take place three months from now. That may mean consulting with a physical trainer to learn just what types of exercise are conducive to getting ready for skiing. Conditioning of all sorts is a good idea, but so are various types of strength training.
The report claims that a person who rents their equipment is eight times as likely to be injured than someone who has their own gear to rely on. This likely has to do with the level of comfort afforded to equipment in your own possession. You can never be entirely sure that the gear you’re renting isn’t in some form of disrepair, and while skiing quickly down a mountain, even a small safety oversight can create a serious injury risk.
At the same time, you don’t want to get so comfortable with your gear that you’re looking past safety risks inherent with that equipment. You should bring your gear in to a ski shop prior to the season starting so that a certified expert can identify any potential hazards. When your equipment is past its expiration date, so to speak, you have to be willing to purchase new gear and get accustomed to it prior to hitting the slopes.
Back and leg injuries are common along the slopes, but you can protect yourself by avoiding behaviors that could further imperil your safety. Alcohol intake, for instance, while common on ski trips, can compromise your motor skills and judgment and leave you susceptible to harm.
Finally, take precautions when on a ski lift. The author believes that this is actually the most hazardous part of a mountain, as the immediate landing area is responsible for numerous knee injuries among people who plant incorrectly. Be particularly cautious in this zone.
About the author
