Ski Injuries: Staying Safe in Snowparks

As winter approaches and temperatures begin to drop, the ski and snowboard season is right around the corner. The popularity of snowboarding and freestyle skiing in snowparks continues to rise—but with it comes an increased risk of injury. This article aims to raise awareness about the factors that influence injury rates in terrain parks.

Compared to traditional slope skiing, using terrain parks comes with a higher risk of injury, particularly to the head, neck, and back, as well as a greater likelihood of serious injuries. Most of these injuries occur during aerial maneuvers. As skill levels among snowpark users have grown in recent years, so has the rate of injury. Unsurprisingly, adolescent males are the group most at risk—likely due to greater risk-taking and peer pressure to attempt increasingly difficult tricks. However, they also represent a large portion of snowpark users, which further impacts injury statistics.

Head injuries account for a significant proportion of skiing and snowboarding incidents. While helmet use (mandatory at most ski resorts since the early 2000s) has reduced head injury rates, this benefit has diminished as athletes attempt more complex maneuvers. Contrary to popular belief, most head injuries don’t occur from direct impact. Instead, they result from poor landings after aerial tricks. A board or ski catches the snow, causing the rider to fall backwards or sideways—often impacting the hip, back, and eventually the head.

Similarly, serious knee injuries—particularly ACL tears—often result from poorly executed landings. While many factors contribute to such injuries, one key element is the “backseat landing” position (feet forward, upper body leaning back), which plays a larger role than the actual height of the jump.

To reduce injury risks and make the most of the winter season, keep these key tips in mind:

• Always wear a helmet.

• Progress gradually and train according to your current abilities. Strength training, trampoline work, airbags, water ramps and other off-snow methods help build aerial skills and spatial awareness.

• Match the difficulty of tricks to conditions such as wind, ice, lighting, and snow texture—all of which can affect how you perceive and execute a maneuver.

• Know your limits and resist peer pressure to attempt tricks that are beyond your current skill level.

Enjoy the season safely!

References:

• Steenstrup SE et al. Head injury mechanisms in FIS World Cup alpine skiers and snowboarders, Br J Sports Med, 2018.

• Sulheim S et al. Helmet use and risk of head injuries in alpine skiers and snowboarders, Br J Sports Med, 2017.

• Heinrich D et al. Peak ACL forces during jump landing in downhill skiing, Br J Sports Med, 2018.

• Audet O et al. Risk factors and prevention strategies for injuries in terrain parks and half-pipes, Br J Sports Med, 2018.