SKI SAFETY TIPS TO ENJOY YOUR NEXT SNOW VACATION

You’ve saved up for your ski vacation and are excited to go. But, you should be ready because an accident on the slopes could ruin it in a snap. You can avoid being hauled off the hill in a ski patrol toboggan or helicopter by adhering to a few safety precautions. Here at The Adventure Junkies, we’ll give you 14 ski safety tips to enjoy your next vacation on the slopes.

Any ski trip has an element of risk. After all, gliding downhill at high rates of speed is definitely flirting with danger. But if you prepare to have a safe trip and make safe decisions on the slopes, you should come home exhilarated from your vacation rather than injured and miserable.

PREPARE IN ADVANCE FOR A SAFE SKI VACATION


1. GET IN SHAPE
Get in shape for your ski vacation. That way, you’ll enjoy it more. Being in shape for skiing allows you to ski longer instead of cutting slope time short to go soak sore muscles in the hot tub. You can also string together multiple days on the slopes without needing to take a day off to recover.

The best way to get in shape is to do a combination of aerobic and strengthening exercises. Check with your local gym to see if a ski conditioning class is offered. Ski conditioning classes usually target specific exercises to make the transition to the slope more successful.



2. BUY A HELMET
Head trauma is one of the worst injuries that a skier or snowboarder can incur. Head injuries usually occur from falls, when the head or neck slams into the snow, a person or an object like a tree. Helmets can reduce the severity of an injury to the head.

According to the National Ski Areas Association, studies have shown that helmets can reduce head injuries by 30 to 50 percent. Helmets can also convert what might be a major head injury with severe repercussions to a minor headache.

The Snell Memorial Foundation, Inc. tests helmets for safety. Although there are many different safety standards for helmets, Snell-certified helmets meet the highest standards in the world.

When shopping for ski or snowboard helmets meeting the highest safety standards, look for the Snell certification on the packaging.

You don’t need to travel with a helmet or even purchase your own. Many ski resorts rent helmets. Check ahead to be sure rental helmets are available.



3. GET SUN PROTECTION
The sun and snow can make you feel like you’re in a frying pan. Not only are skiers exposed to UV radiation, but the sun’s rays gain intensity by reflecting off snow surfaces. Before leaving home, you’ll need to stock up on sunscreen. Lack of skin protection can contribute to faster skin aging and cancers.

For maximum protection, cover your entire body with clothing or sunscreen. The sunscreen should be at least SPF 30. In addition, the National Ski Areas Association in the U.S. recommends sunscreens which are broad spectrum and contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

You’ll need to reapply sunscreen every couple hours on the slopes. To be able to do that, buy a small refillable bottle to keep in the pocket of your ski jacket. You’ll also want sunscreen lip protection handy.

Lack of eye protection can let sun radiation damage the eyes. Severe cases result in snow blindness. Before leaving home, check your goggles and sunglasses for UV protection. They should be rated at 100 percent UV.



4. STUDY THE TRAIL MAP
Before visiting a new ski area on vacation, study the trail map. Analyze it. Make a mental note of chairlifts or runs to avoid those that may be beyond your skill level. Also, make a plan of attack for where to start your explorations. It’s always safer to start on easier slopes and work up to more difficult terrain.

Remember, trail symbols are ski area specific. Although trail symbols are common across all resorts in North America, they vary at each resort. For example, green circles denoting easier runs may be steeper in the Rocky Mountains than at ski areas in the Midwest.

In fact, at some more challenging resorts, green runs may be comparable to the more difficult blue squares at smaller resorts. Launching on easier runs will help you gauge the caliber of the mountain.

SAFETY ON THE SLOPES


5. SKI WITHIN YOUR ABILITY
A surefire way to wreck your vacation is to ski out of control or go on runs far above your ability. We all love challenges. But on ski slopes, be sure you have the prerequisite skills to tackle the next level before diving down the slope.

Skiing under control can still be fun. It also offers the guarantee of lesser chances of muscle, ligament and bone injuries.

Knowing when to quit skiing is equally important. Be in tune with your body and energy level. Be sensitive to exhaustion that can lead to injury as well. Call it a day before fatigue sets in.



6. DON’T FOLLOW OTHERS INTO UNKNOWN AREAS
It’s always fun to find secret stashes of powder. Be wary of following in the tracks of locals into unknown zones. The tracks could go through terrain the locals know well, but might hold hazards for you: cliff bands, creek gullies, tree wells, or tight chutes. The zone may also have a necessary exit point to avoid dropping into a terrain trap.

If you want to explore unknown extreme terrain, be sure you have the skills. If you are unsure of what the area contains, consult with ski patrol. In many resorts, you can hire a guide to lead you in and out of the terrain.



7. CHOOSE SAFE PLACES TO STOP
Clogging the center of a trail, run or junction invites collisions. So does standing in the lift unload zone. To be safe when stopping, choose places that will avoid setting up an accident.

When stopping, avoid halting in the middle of runs, trails or junctions. Always pull off to the side.

On narrow cat tracks, ski in control enough that you can wait until the trail widens to steer aside. This is especially important when a group of people ski together. Four people in a bunch can cut off access in the middle of a narrow run.

Source: SKI SAFETY TIPS TO ENJOY YOUR NEXT SNOW VACATION