Skiing and Snowboarding Can Be Risky

The Berkshire Eagle reports that when skiing or snowboarding, the best thing for safety is common sense. They say skiing and snowboarding, like all sports, can be risky if skiers and snowboarders are not cautious. Two recent fatal accidents in the same region, one at a New Hampshire ski area where a snowboarder veered off a trail and hit a tree, and another at a Vermont ski area where a skier lost control on an expert trail and slid into the woods.

The report goes on to say by staying in control, and skiing or snowboarding within your limits injury can be avoided. Going too fast or chancing trails that are too difficult is the surest way to risk an injury.

The National Ski Areas Association says there has been an average of 38 people killed while skiing or snowboarding per year and 2.63 injuries for every 1,000 visits to the mountain.

Ski Area owner George Jervas says "Youth" is a main factor in skiing and snowboarding accidents. He said, "They think they are immortal, they don't break, it ain't going to happen to me."

Paul Maloney, professional ski patroller for 25 years and a certified ski instructor for 30, recommends that everyone take a ski or snowboard lesson, regardless of ability, to improve skills.

Every snowboarder that takes a lesson at Jiminy Peak Ski Area gets free wrist guards to help avoid injury.

Since 1995, the sale and use of ski helmets and snowboard helmets has increased. An estimated 30 percent of all skiers and snowboarders wear ski helments, says the National Association of Ski Areas.

A Pittsfield neurologist estimates that he treats between 15 and 20 patients each winter for concussion, the majority of them snowboarders. He says, "Ski Helmets make a difference."