Whether you love it or hate it, wintertime is here yet again, which means many people will participate in winter sports. Skiing and snowboarding are popular winter pastimes, and while they can be great fun, they can also be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Before you hit the slopes this season, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:
Always Wear a Helmet
It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or if you’re an expert—wearing a helmet on the slopes is essential to ensure you avoid any potential head injuries, which can easily occur when you’re skiing or snowboarding. If you’re brand new to the sport, you may want to also consider other safety gear to prevent injuries, such as wrist guards and kneepads. Inexperienced skiers and snowboarders tend to fall a lot, and this can lead to sprains and bone fractures, especially if conditions are very icy.
Take Caution on Ski Lifts
Falls from ski lifts are rare, but they do happen, and the resulting injuries can be serious. To ensure as safe an experience as possible, be sure to always remain seated on ski lifts. Pull down the safety bar if one is provided, and don’t rock the seat or mess around. If it’s very windy, there’s a chance that the ski lifts will be shut down, but this isn’t always the case. As such, use your best judgment.
Take Note of Conditions
Weather conditions are also important when it comes to safety on the slopes. While winter weather can be unpredictable, you’ll want to avoid skiing or snowboarding when conditions are expected to be poor. If it’s very windy and/or snowing heavily, your vision can be compromised, which can put you more at risk. This can also mean that others might have a hard time seeing you as well, so you’ll always want to make sure you avoid wearing white clothing and stick to brighter colors.
Don’t Take on More Than You Can Handle
Slopes and trails are rated by difficulty, so don’t take on more than you can handle. If you’re just starting out, some of the easier trails can still be somewhat challenging at first, and you might benefit from the help of an instructor. When the time comes that you feel ready to advance, proceed with caution and do so slowly—don’t take on more than you can safely handle.
Sometimes, you can do everything you can to stay safe, but a skiing accident might result due to the negligence of another. If you or a loved one was hurt while skilling or snowboarding, contact our personal injury lawyers today.
