Tag Archive for: ski accidents

historic6
seniorsskiing

Incidents & Accidents: 8

/6 Comments/in /by

[Editor Note: SeniorsSkiing.com is asking our readers to contribute to support our online magazine. Yes, we have grown in the number of subscribers and advertisers. But our expenses have also grown. You can help us defray some of these expenses by helping us out with a donation.]

Support SeniorsSkiing.com by clicking here.

______________________________________________________

It Might Be Wise To Skip That Last Run.

Who: Arlene Condon Maginn

Where: Bretton Woods, NH

What Happened: On the third day of our ski week, Bretton Woods had a two-for-one ticket day.  The crowd, still very modest, was noticeably bigger than earlier in the week.

John and I were skiing the last run of the day around 3 pm. John followed me down from the top, and, at the very bottom run out, he zoomed past me. At least three trails led into the base area, marked by a big “Slow” sign. No one was slowing in the slightest. Suddenly, a boarder crossed directly in front of me and went right over the back of John’s skis, not 15 feet away. John launched into the air without his skis and landed head first in a snow bank off the trail. The boarder also fell and lost his board.

Both John and the boarder stood up and shook themselves off. John said he saw stars and was thankful he was wearing a helmet.  The boarder also said he was okay and was very apologetic to have caused the mishap. 

I am a nurse with a recent head injury, so I was very careful to ask John several times about any symptoms, like blurred vision and headache. The boarder stayed with us while John put his skis back on. We went down the 50 or so yards to the base.  We were done for the day and headed back to the lodge.

Lesson Learned:

1. We should have asked for identification from the boarder, just for future reference. And we should have reported the incident to the resort. Later, in the lodge, we learned from an employee that there is a formal process for reporting accidents. Since we never exchanged information with the boarder, reporting didn’t seem that useful.

2. The last run of the day can often be problematic. We had fatigued muscles, slowing down our response time.  John should have curbed his enthusiasm and his speed at the bottom of his last run.

3. Skiing in crowded areas—merging trails, near the base, or where there are lessons—requires more diligence and focus on what’s going on. Clearly this is where the risk for collisions is highest.

4. As a senior—especially someone who is recovering from a head injury—I try to be very careful about injuries.  I stay in shape, stretch, wear a helmet and bright-colored parka. My lesson is to ski defensively, especially in tight places and at the end of the day. 

 

 

seniorsskiing

Incidents And Accidents: 4

/11 Comments/in /by

Things Get Rocky On Bullwinkle

[Editor note: SeniorsSkiing.com is collecting stories from readers about incidents and accidents that they have experienced. We intend to review these for patterns and themes and use that data to influence the safety policies of resorts and other stakeholders. The following is the fourth article submitted by a reader in our new feature “Incidents and Accidents”. If you have a story to tell, please follow the format used below and send to INFO@seniorsskiing.com]

Jan Brunvand, Snowbasin, UT

What Happened

My wife Judy and I, both octogenarians, were skiing a blue run called Bullwinkle at Snowbasin, UT, on a nice clear midweek day with smooth groomed snow and few other skiers or riders. I had my helmet cam turned on, and I skied down first in order to get a video of Judy’s run. Looking back up the slope I noticed a skier and two snowboarders entering the run at the top, but Judy was on skier’s right, and they were on the left. What could possibly go wrong?

Skier veers toward Judy. Credit: Jan Brunvand

When Judy was about three quarters of the way down, suddenly the skier veered towards her and barely missed cutting her off. Then, just as she reached the run-out at the bottom, one of the boarder dudes cut straight across the hill towards her and ran over the back of her skis. The kid toppled, but Judy managed to stay upright by waving her poles to offset the collision.

Boarder crosses Judy’s skis. Credit: Jan Brunvand

The boarder, probably noting Judy’s white hair sticking out from under her helmet, apologized profusely. Judy checked her skis, and they had remained solidly attached. We proceeded to the base, keeping careful eyes on the others around us.

Boards goes down, Judy is waving her pole for balance, not repelling boarders. Credit Jan Brunvand

Back home I checked the video and saw again what close calls these had been. I took screen shots of three frames showing the two near misses plus the aftermath. In the last one it looks like Judy is poking the boarder dude with her ski pole—fighting him off. Not true, but it all happened too fast for us to realize how it might have appeared to a bystander.

Role of the Ski Patrol

No patrollers in sight

Lessons Learned

Danger can come from anywhere, no matter how much you try to stay in your lane and watch out for others on the hill. Not all skiers and riders are out of control or aggressive, but neither are they necessarily aware of their surroundings, so YOU have to be the aware one.

Advice

As in photo 3 above: Don’t Mess With Grandma!

historic6
seniorsskiing

Incidents And Accidents:3

/13 Comments/in /by

Confronting The Offender.

[Editor note: SeniorsSkiing.com is collecting stories from readers about incidents and accidents that they have experienced. We intend to review these for patterns and themes and use that data to influence the safety policies of resorts and other stakeholders. The following is the second article submitted by a reader in our new feature “Incidents and Accidents”. If you have a story to tell, please follow the format used below and send to INFO@seniorsskiing.com]

Jon Weisberg, Teasdale, UT.

Where: Deer Valley, Park City, UT

What Happened: I was skiing the left edge of a wide slope, about three quarters of the way down. The bottom of the lift was visible. A skier in a green parka came from behind and passed within an inch or two. His skis crossed mine. I stopped and watched as the ugly green parka made its way clumsily to the bottom. Taking chase, I caught up with him and his friend in the lift line and confronted him. He was in his late teens or early 20s and denied that he was the skier in question. I pressed the issue. “You’re the only person wearing that ugly green jacket.” He still didn’t admit that he skied so close and almost knocked me down. “You did it, and you know you did,” I persisted. His buddy then spoke up  and admitted that his friend had done it. They were about to get on the chair. I gave him a short lecture. “If you got hit at your age, you’d get up or spend a few days sidelined and be back on the hill. I’m in my seventies, and you almost knocked me down. I’ve been skiing more than 60 years. If you hit me, I might have been out for the season or for the rest of my life.” Maybe it registered, maybe not. He got on the chair and, fortunately, I never saw the twerp again.

Role of the Ski Patrol: Had Patrol been nearby, I would have reported the kid. They were not, and I did not.

Lessons Learned: I like to ski the fall line which is what I was doing when this happened. I deliberately ski slowly and in control. But many others don’t ski with the same level of control. It’s important to redouble looking around and upslope when skiing.

Advice: The incident made me realize that regardless of how well I conduct myself on the hill, I need to expect the unexpected.

historic6
seniorsskiing

Incidents And Accidents: 2

/9 Comments/in /by

Accidents Can Be Self-Inflicted, Too.

[Editor note: SeniorsSkiing.com is collecting stories from readers about incidents and accidents that they have experienced. We intend to review these for patterns and themes and use that data to influence the safety policies of resorts and other stakeholders. The following is the second article submitted by a reader in our new feature “Incidents and Accidents. If you have a story to tell, please follow the format used below and send to INFO@seniorsskiing.com]

Carol Goodman, New Hartford, NY

Where: Gore Mountain  North Creek, NY

What Happened: It was a beautiful powder day in the Northeast.  The snow was coming down heavily and close to 18 inches of new snow had accumulated overnight. The trails were virtually ungroomed. Exciting for a seasoned skier looking for the feel of western skiing.  Unfortunately, the stars did not align for me that day.  It was my first day out for the season, and my second run down the mountain when I took a header; a forward twisting fall into deep snow with no release of my right binding.

As a result, I suffered a comminuted fracture of both my tibia and fibula. Fortunately the accident occurred underneath a chairlift so I was able to summon for help immediately.  I was reached by a ski ambassador first, who was able to release my binding, as I was in excruciating pain. It was a very long process getting me off the mountain and into medical. The accident ended my 2018/19 ski season, as the surgical repair, with a rod and screws, required me being non-weight bearing for 10 weeks.

Role of the Ski Patrol: The goal of the ski patrol is to attend to the immediate needs of the skier and to keep the skier comfortable until the proper splint and sled arrives.  This was my experience, although I spent almost an hour on the mountain in the snow.  I would hope that this amount of time is not the norm.  Once I was down the mountain and was warmed up, the next ordeal was getting my ski boot off, which they insisted had to take place before I could be transported to a hospital.  Lucky for me, there was an MD available at ski patrol who was able to administer ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, so that I would not feel the pain of boot removal.

Lessons Learned:  Always be certain that your bindings are in good working order and that you have had a relatively recent Vermont Binding Release test done.  Even though I have been skiing for many years at an advanced level, the effects of aging and loss of strength should have prompted me to have my DIN settings checked and lowered. 

Advice:  Keep your equipment in tip-top shape, have a binding release check done, and keep skiing, even if you have a setback! Follow a strict rehabilitation program, followed by strengthening and conditioning so that you are in the best physical shape possible for the ski season. The benefits of participating in an activity you love, far outweighs giving it up.

historic6
seniorsskiing

Incidents And Accidents: 1

/23 Comments/in /by

Katie Van Hess, Sun Valley, ID.

Editor Note: Here’s our first contribution from a reader about an incident she was involved with. To submit your story, try to follow the same format. Send to INFO@seniorsskiing.com

Where: Sun Valley

What Happened: Uphill skier heading fast towards a ridge to jump it.  I was heading along the ridge towards a congested area to load on the lift.  He tried to stop but hit me anyway, sending me into another skier while skidding along, flat on my back with skis still attached.   The uphill skier came out of his skis.  No one was seriously injured (but no apology from the guy who hit me). I took time off in the lodge to collect myself and did notice a previous meniscus injury was again compromised. This was at my home base of Sun Valley, and this particular run has always needed a slow down sign or better traffic control. 

Role of the Ski Patrol: I’ve suggested a slow down sign to a ski patroller, and he did agree its been needed but nothing has been done.

Lessons Learned: I rather “panic” when I hear a skier or boarder behind me.  I try to set a definite rhythm to my turns so they can judge where I’m going.  I’ve gotten hit by them too many times over the years.  One time, I did go to the emergency room with a huge hematoma on my arm (which I stuck up to protect myself as a boarder slammed into me while I was standing still).

Advice:  Uphill skiers/boarders need to be reminded of their obligation to be able to safely pass those below them.  I do agree that all mountains need more staff or volunteers to slow down the  “indestructible” younger skiers. Resorts seem to be hesitant about ruining their good time.

Harriet Wallis

Who Are You? The Ski Patrol Wants To Know

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Carrying Identification Can Help The Ski Patrol Help You.

HIghly trained ski patrollers will be looking for your id. Credit: Deer Valley

Highly trained ski patrollers will be looking for your id.
Credit: Deer Valley

Accidents happen. And when they do, the ski patrol will likely be your savior. But the patrol needs your help. Here’s what you should have with you every time you ski or ride–just in case.

Carry identification. If you’re injured and can’t speak for yourself, the patrol will have to figure out who you are. Chris Erkkila, assistant ski patrol manager at Deer Valley resort in Utah, said: “We’re trained to look for ID and medical necklaces and bracelets.”

Emergency ID tags from Ecosperformance can be worn as bracelets, plastic tags or as stickers that can be applied to a helmet or even stuck on a phone.

EID Tags contain important profile information in case of emergency. Credit: Ecosperformance

EID Tags contain important profile information in case of emergency.
Credit: Ecosperformance

EIDs store identification, emergency contact and important medical information. When the QR code on the EID is scanned by a Ski Patroller’s smartphone, a skier’s Emergency Profile appears. A seven-digit EID number that can be entered into Ecosperformance website is a backup.

Other times patrollers have to be Sherlock Holmes to find even the most basic information about you—your name. They’ll look for a season pass that carries your name or look for your driver’s license. Sometimes they have to search your cell phone for information. “Often skiers don’t know each other very well, but a ski companion can tell us that the phone is in his injured friend’s right pocket,'” he said.

Carry a list of medications. “Seniors typically take more medications than others,” he said. Based on your condition, it might be vital for the patrol to know what prescriptions you’re taking. Same goes for allergies to medications

“Be sure to carry this information every time you go skiing,” Erkkila said. “Very basic things help us the most.”

And one more thing.

If you’re part of an accident, stay and identify yourself. And then there’s another aspect of accidents, he said. Sometimes there’s a collision between several skiers. Erkkila pointed out that the local city’s ordinance requires you to stay on the scene and identify yourself.  And, “We’re trying to educate the public about this,” he said. For those of us who are veteran skiers, staying on the scene after a collision seems to be common sense courtesy. But it’s also an official part of some resort areas’ regulations.