Viva Vitality: Safety on the Slopes
By Megan Burland
Growing up in Saskatchewan, I truly appreciate the opportunities we have in Alberta to hit the mountains for some downhill skiing or snowboarding! I considered myself an avid skier until I had the opportunity to take on a real mountain resort shortly after moving to Alberta. I knew I was out of my league after having to take not one but two chair lifts to get to the top! It was a far cry from my local prairie “mountain” where you could ride a T-Bar to the top. Practice makes progress.
If you are an avid skier, or hitting the slopes for the first time, here are some safety tips to keep in mind this season.
Preparation is key:
Make sure your gear is in good working order, fits well and is right for your skill level. Have bindings checked annually by a qualified technician. Bindings need to be properly adjusted to your weight and skill.
Use a certified ski/snowboard helmet that meets national and provincial standards. Many ski/snowboard helmets are ‘single impact,’ designed to protect you against a single crash. After a crash you must replace a ‘single impact’ helmet. Check what type of impact your helmet is and ensure it is in good condition, fits well and is not more than five years old. Your helmet should also have side vents so you can hear.
The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends that children and families wear wrist guards for snowboarding.
Check the weather and use it to inform the warm winter gear you pack, along with your UV protected goggles or sunglasses and sunscreen to protect against sunburns. Dress to protect yourself against frostbite.
Look ahead at the hill skill map and make sure you understand the rules, the signs that indicate the difficulty of the runs and plot out which might be most appropriate for you.
Consider booking lessons with a certified instructor.
Invite a friend or two! It is not recommended to go alone.
Once you’ve arrived:
Do some warmup exercises and stretches. Be especially careful on the first and last few runs of the day, as that is when injuries are most likely to happen.
Be mindful throughout the day. Stay on the marked trails and follow all signs and warnings. Watch for hazards like trees, rocks, icy patches and changing weather/visibility.
Be honest with yourself when you need to rest or warm up – isn’t one of the best parts of hitting the slopes relaxing in the warm chalet? Say what you will about Saskatchewan skiing, but my local hill had a great food.
Stay alert and avoid the use of headphones.
Do not drink alcohol or use other drugs before you drive to/from the hill or while you’re skiing/snowboarding.
Before you head out, check out parachute.ca and myhealth.alberta.ca/ for more information on topics such as keeping young children safe as they learn to navigate skiing/snowboarding and how to properly dress for winter weather.
Megan Burland is a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services.