Tips & Common Pitfalls

Skiing, and boarding, is exhilarating, exciting and shout-out-loud fun. You don’t want to miss a minute, so follow these tips from to keep skiing safely.

What does a “banana” have to do with skiing?

If you are injured, the ski patrol will come to your rescue. They’ll give you first aid and wrap you up warmly in their banana-shaped stretcher on skis, get you off the mountain and into the medial centre. If you’re doing the “banana”, you’ve probably done your holiday.

The most common injury on the slopes is a sprain: thumbs, wrists, elbows, and shoulders, but mostly knees.

The most accident-prone time, and place, on the snow is day one, on the beginner’s slope.

“Our biggest problem is ‘gung-ho’ skiers”, says Perisher ski patrol president Peter Kaim. “People who don’t think they need a lesson.”

Peter heads the team of volunteers who patrol the slopes providing first aid and has dealt with hundreds of injured skiers.

“The most common injuries are broken wrists and dislocated shoulders for boarders, knees for skiers” he says.

A bone fracture is the second most common injury on the ski field, and boarders are over-represented here. Try wrist-guards, especially for kids, they make a difference.

Before you ski:

• Check the weather, snow and skiing conditions and be sure to watch for any forecasted changes.
• Eat a good meal before you hit the slopes and carry a snack with you while you’re skiing.
• Check your equipment to make sure it’s all in working order.
• Don’t ski or snowboard alone, and let your friends or family know your plans for the day.
• If you’ve never skied or snowboarded before, take lessons!
• If you find yourself in a position where you’re lost, hurt or in trouble – stop immediately, look for shelter, call or wait for help.
• Be considerate of the environment and don’t litter!