Skiing is a beloved escape for tourists around the world, where the crisp air and the steady rhythm of each slope offers a sense of freedom, no matter your skill level. Everyone, from three to eighty three (and beyond!), can enjoy themselves on the slope – and for many people, it’s an exhilarating and fun way to inject a little action into their holiday. Most people come off the mountain, hand in their skis and snow boots and head for an apres ski or fondue dinner with friends in front of a warming fire.
That’s not to say it isn’t without risk. A tumble on the slopes can leave people with some pretty nasty injuries. Accidents can be expensive, especially if you need to be airlifted off a mountain or transported to a nearby hospital.
How common are ski injuries?
There’s some debate around how common ski injuries are. Some sources suggest there’s an injury per thousand days skied, although this doesn’t differentiate between serious injuries and those that are minor.
10 most common skiing injuries
You can injure yourself in a few ways when you’re skiing. A strain limbering up, an accident on the ski lift or a fall while skiing are all potential hazards, especially if you’re a new skier or just haven’t been out on the slopes for a while.
So, what injuries should you try and prepare for?
According to Topdoctors, the most common ski injuries include:
- 1. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears: the twisting and turning motions in skiing can put strain on the knee, especially the ACL.
- 2. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injuries: often caused by falls, the MCL is another knee ligament prone to injury.
- 3. Leg fractures: skis can act as leverage, leading to fractures in the lower leg, particularly the tibia.
- 4. Wrist fractures: can occur when skiers fall onto an outstretched hand.
- 5. Dislocated shoulders: a fall can lead to a shoulder dislocation, as the joint is forced out of its normal position.
- 6. Concussions and head injuries: a collision with another skier or a fall can result in a concussion or other traumatic brain injury.
The King Edward VII Hospital asked an orthopaedic consultant surgeon, Mr Sam Oussedik, about the most common injuries he saw. He includes:
- 7. Sprains: bending, twisting and falling can lead to sprains in the shoulder, knees and other areas.
- 8. Torn rotator cuff: a rip in the group of muscles and tendons that stabilise your shoulder joint. It usually happens from a trauma.
- 9. Skier’s thumb: When skiers fall with their ski pole and strap in hand, it’s common to see a particular fracture or sprain referred to as skier’s thumb.
- 10. Whiplash: When travelling at speed, such as when skiing, a fall can cause your head to move suddenly, giving you whiplash.
What to do if you get injured while skiing
- If you get injured while skiing, stay calm and stop moving. It can be difficult to assess any injuries yourself; you may be in shock, or the padding in your clothes (and all the layers!) may stop you from getting a full idea of how you are. Don’t remove anything because the motion of taking your boots or equipment off may jar your injury or make it worse.
- Try and get the attention of a fellow skier. If you’re at a resort, they’ll likely have a ski patrol team canvassing to help fallen skiers.
- If you can, call for help. Before you hit the slope, it’s worth researching emergency numbers and sharing your location with someone in your group. That way, if you get separated but don’t make it back, rescue services will be able to find you more easily.
- Once help arrives, follow the instructions of medical personnel.
- When you’re well enough, preferably before any major treatment, you or your travelling companion should contact your insurer. Our 24/7 emergency medical helpline can assist you in getting help if you need it, but we can also guide you through making a claim so you’re not struggling to do it alone.
Why winter sports travel insurance for your ski trip is essential
Winter sports travel insurance is essential for any skier. Even though injuries are often minor, it can be expensive to get to a hospital in the event of an accident, especially if you need to be airlifted down a mountain. Without proper cover, the cost of medical treatments and rescue services could be substantial. You’ll often have to add winter sports cover to a travel insurance policy as it is usually more expensive because of the additional risk. It’s often included in a ‘winter sports’ or ‘extreme sports’ add-on.
At InsureandGo, we offer tailored winter sports travel insurance add-ons specifically designed to address the unique risks involved in skiing and snowboarding. Our policies cover a wide range of potential issues, from medical emergencies and ski equipment loss to trip cancellation due to weather conditions or unforeseen events. You can even be covered if there isn’t enough snowfall – a risk that’s happening more and more.
Talk to us today to get the right cover for your trip.