Photo by Boris Misevic on Unsplash

Last season I was fortunate to be skiing in the French Alps. One day I was skiing a crowded feeder trail to a lift and was about 200 yards from the maze. As I was making my way down, using the eyes in the back of my head I saw a snowboarder on an intercept course with me. Within seconds he was threatening my space. As he closed on me, I instinctively resorted to my defensive tackle days and gave him a straight arm to avoid an impact. He fell. I stopped and asked if he was OK. He said yes and apologized for nearly hitting me. I saw this scenario repeated over the week I was there. In fact, one afternoon while having lunch I couldn’t help but notice that about every 20 minutes or so, the ski patrol was bringing another person down in a sled escorted by a snowmobile. The rate of injured skiers seemed as steep as some of the trails there.

Of course, not everyone in France skied like a nut (in fact, French skiers in general were quite courteous). But every day, on every run there were skiers heading straight down the trail at excessive speeds, making no turns and never, ever saying ‘on your left” or “on your right”. They just flew by you in a flash. Our guide told us, for reasons he didn’t understand, teaching that particular safety rule had fallen out of vogue. It shows.

Seniorsskiing.com is a proud supporter of Snow Angels, an organization that promotes skier safety and Ski Guardians, a company producing a safety device consisting of banners on your poles that help you claim the space immediately around you as you ski down the mountain. Of course, they have their work cut out for them here in the US but if they saw what I saw in France they would cover their eyes and cringe.

There is no doubt advancements in equipment have made skiing safer. Skis are now designed to be more stable, enabling skiers to maintain control and allowing them to carve turns more efficiently and reach higher speeds. When combined with crowded slopes, this can be a recipe for disaster. Even skilled skiers may have difficulty reacting in time to avoid a collision in such conditions. Design innovations in ski bindings, which release more effectively during falls, help prevent leg injuries, particularly ACL tears (There was a time when a boot-top break was the #1 ski injury.) Helmets are now considered essential gear, significantly reducing the severity of head injuries. Despite these improvements, accidents still occur at an alarming rate, leading some to question whether other factors are offsetting these advancements.

Given the popularity of the corporate resort passes one undeniable change in the ski industry is the increasing number of people hitting the slopes at the same time. Resorts are experiencing higher visitor numbers, leading to more crowded conditions. This congestion can result in a higher risk of collisions, especially when skiers of varying skill levels share the same slopes. Beginners may struggle to control their speed and direction, while more experienced skiers may weave through crowds at high speeds, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Climate change has also played a role in ski safety, altering snow conditions in ways that make skiing riskier. Warmer temperatures and erratic weather patterns have led to a more unpredictable snowpack, increasing the chances of avalanches and unstable skiing surfaces. Ice patches, slushy snow, and thinly covered areas with hidden rocks or tree stumps all pose hazards to skiers, making falls and injuries more likely. Moreover, inconsistent snowfall patterns mean that ski resorts rely more heavily on artificial snowmaking. While artificial snow can provide coverage, it often creates a harder, icier surface than natural snow, increasing the likelihood of high-speed falls and injuries. Skiers who are accustomed to powdery snow may struggle to adjust to these conditions, further contributing to the risk factor.

Data on skiing injuries provides mixed insights into whether skiing has become less safe over time. While overall injury rates have remained relatively stable, the nature of injuries has changed. Fatal accidents, often linked to high-speed impacts or avalanches, continue to occur, though at a low frequency relative to the total number of skiers. Head injuries have decreased due to increased helmet use, but severe leg injuries, including fractures and ligament tears, remain a concern.

Some studies indicate that collision-related accidents have become more common due to crowded slopes and high speeds. Additionally, backcountry accidents have seen a rise as more skiers venture off-piste without adequate preparation. Despite safety advancements, these emerging trends suggest that skiing’s risks are evolving rather than diminishing.

So, is skiing becoming less safe? Unfortunately, the answer is not straight forward. Here are some current statistics on ski safety in the United States:

• In the 2022–2023 season, there were 46 fatalities, 37 of which were skiers. The common cause? Excessive speed, loss of control, and collisions with stationary objects.
• Snowboarders are 33% less likely to be killed in a crash than skiers.
• Most fatalities occur on more difficult “intermediate” terrain.
• More men are victims of skiing accident deaths than women.
• Skiing and snowboarding have similar injury rates. There are about 1.2 injuries per 100,000 participants and around 2-3 injuries per 1,000 skier days.
• Fractures are the most common injury, followed by strains and sprains.
• Fatalities from chairlift and aerial ropeway mechanical malfunctions are rare.

Some studies show a significant rise in ski-related emergency room visits over recent years, indicating a potential trend towards more accidents. Approximately 200,000 skiing and snowboarding related injuries are treated in US emergency rooms annually. While most skiers with injuries are discharged the same day roughly 7,000 or 1% of those cases requiring hospitalization each year.

For skiers looking to stay safe, the key lies in awareness and responsibility. Choosing appropriate slopes, wearing protective gear, following resort safety guidelines, and avoiding reckless behavior can help mitigate risks. While skiing will always carry an inherent level of danger, mindful decision-making and respect for safety measures can help keep the sport as safe as possible.