what's here
see also
[ under construction ]
We're not experts on the risks of skiing. We created this page because
we couldn't find much else about it in English on the web (or in print), and we
thought it would help to make something about this topic available -- in hope
that it will inspire somebody else to write something better. Please
let us know when you find other info about risks of cross country
skiing.
Our non-expert judgment is that our own normal skiing on established
trails at a cross country ski center is:
- substantially less risky than driving our car on the roads
to and from the ski center.
- often less dangerous than getting our exercise by jogging or
running on neighborhood sidewalks and streets
- more risky than riding our stationary exercise bicycle indoors at home
That's because:
- We've learned about the capabilities of our techniques and
equipment.
- We normally ski well within the limits of what we've
learned.
- We normally check information in advance -- and we just don't go
skiing at all on certain days and times that we think might be more
risky. Or we don't even start out on certain trails or
slopes.
That doesn't mean cross country skiing is safe for you -- or
safe for you at a particular time on some particular trail or slope.
But we do think that most adults can learn to manage their cross
country skiing to make it less risky than driving a car -- and that most
adults in cross country skiing normally
have choices that can keep the level of risk down to less than driving a
car on the roads.
Here's a partial list of the hazards and risks of cross country
skiing:
- Falling down onto the snow surface.
- Skiing or falling into an obstacle at speed.
- Skiing or falling over a drop-off or cliff.
- Getting tangled up with skis and poles in a fall or sudden
maneuver: resulting in slight or serious damage to bones,
joints, connective tissue, skin, bleeding, etc.
- Skiing into the handle of the pole when the tip is stuck.
- Getting hit by another skier.
- Getting hit by a motor vehicle.
- Hypothermia
- Frostbite
- Dehydration and Fatigue
- Getting lost.
- Strains of muscles, joints, connective tissue -- from use, not by
hitting something.
- health emergencies that occur because the skier was previously ill
or injured or otherwise not in good health.
- non-ski-related health emergencies that by chance occur while
skiing.
Which risks can you evaluate and handle yourself?
For which risks do you need special information, or expert advice or
assistance?
What's your strategy for handling the special risks of getting down
a trail or hill? For some ideas about this, see
- - Downhill Techniques --
Risk Management
- - Non-ski Downhill
"survival" techniques
Since you don't have infinite mental resources to monitor all
possible risks at all times, on which risks will you focus most of your
risk management attention? Here are some likely ones -- but the
choice is personal:
- Falling down -- if the surface is hard.
- Skiing or falling into an obstacle at speed.
- Skiing or falling over a drop-off or cliff.
- Getting tangled up with skis and poles in a fall or sudden
maneuver: resulting in slight or serious damage to bones,
joints, connective tissue, skin, bleeding, etc.
- Skiing into the handle of the pole when the tip is stuck.
- Getting hit by another skier.
- Strains of muscles, joints, connective tissue -- from use, not by
hitting something.
- Getting lost.
- Frostbite, etc.
What are some key decision points for managing the risks?
back to Top
Choosing where to ski -- or choosing not ski at all.
- What area or center to ski -- in what conditions?
- What trail or sub-trail to ski?
- How to use the Ski trail ratings?
- What day -- or hours of the day -- to ski or not ski?
- What information and/or advice you need to make this
decision?
back to Top
|
