A survey of over 1,000 skiers and snowboarders has found that a quarter of skiers suffer injuries compared to only 13% of snowboarders.
The findings are at odds with most surveys, which have found boarders are more likely to be injured. The findings were based on responses from skiers who had been skiing an average of 5.2 times and boarders who had been an average 4.7 times.
Half of these injuries (52%) were considered to be “not that serious”, but over a third (38%) were rated as serious and over half (58%) ended up going to hospital because of their injury. When injured, on average, skiers and snowboarders lost nearly two days of their holiday as a result.
The survey was carried out on behalf of London Bridge Hospital, which operates a dedicated Winter Ski Clinic throughout its specialist Orthopaedic departments. The survey also found that less than two-thirds (60%) wear a helmet when skiing and just over a third (36%) wear a helmet when snowboarding.
While winter sports holidays are a chance for adventure, Mr Simon Owen-Johnstone, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, urges people to wear helmets and not to push themselves beyond their capabilities: “Every winter my clinics are full of injured skiers and boarders who have simply been too ambitious. Staying safe is all about being sensible. Making a realistic assessment of the environment, and your own abilities. If you’re in a party, the least able sets the pace. Be ready to change plans, don’t overestimate your ability and don’t be too proud to admit defeat.” In terms of the injuries sustained, Mr Simon Owen-Johnstone states that “upper limb winter sports injuries are not as common as lower limb injuries. Sprains and strains are the most common, but after those, the most likely are shoulder dislocations, collarbone fractures and disruptions of the acromioclavicular joint, located at the end of the collarbone.”
