Stay safe on the slopes with these ski tips

To avoid becoming just another ski injury statistic, make sure you’re well prepared for the slopes by taking these simple precautionary measures.

Wearing the proper gear and being aware on the slopes can help reduce your chances of injury. While more and more people are getting out on the slopes every year, Canadian ski injury statistics indicate that the rate of injuries have remained proportionately stable. That’s a great sign, but there’s always room for improvement. Take these precautionary steps to keep yourself and those around you safe on the slopes.

The most obvious way to protect yourself is with good gear. There’s a lot of choice when selecting everything from skis and boots to gloves and helmets. Your main priority should be protecting your head. Having a good quality, properly fitted helmet will help keep your most valuable asset safe. If just staring out, elbow and knee pads are a good idea to keep those joints protected. One of the most common ski injuries is skiers thumb. Investing in a good pair of padded ski gloves and good poles can address this preventable injury. For other gear like boots and skis, the choices can be trickier to navigate. Taking the time to do your research and speaking to experts in the shop will improve your ability to stay safe on the slopes.

Keeping your body in shape, even in the off-season, is another precautionary step towards preventing injuries and becoming another statistic. Flexibility, strength and endurance go a long way in keeping you strong on your skis and in a better position to avoid other accidents.

The saying goes: You have to learn to walk before you can run. Stick to runs that you have mastered before moving on to tackling the advanced hills. One of the leading causes of skiing accidents is skiers attempting to ski runs beyond their skill level.

Another way to take care of yourself is to be aware of your surroundings and what other people on the slopes are doing. Some examples of safe ski hill practices include staying out of blind spots, yielding the right of way to those travelling downhill, and checking all directions before merging into a trail. Also, knowing the lift system can prevent machine-related injuries. Older lifts can be more difficult to use for beginners, while newer lifts tend to offer a small delay at both ends that allows for ease of use.

For beginners, lessons are available with instructors whose information and experience will help keep you safe. For experienced skiers, this can also help sharpen skills that you may have forgotten. No matter your skill level, always remember that safety and well-being is paramount to anything else.