Wyndham Wisdom
Skiing Safety
The safety rules every winter sportsman (and woman) should know
BY HANNAH WALLACE
The good news is that when it comes to skiing safety, more American skiers and snowboarders are wearing helmets than ever before (57 percent, according to the National Ski Areas Association). The bad news? A helmet can't save you from everything. Witness pro snowboarder Kevin Pearce, who suffered severe brain trauma in late 2009 even while wearing the proper gear. Play it safe by following these five ski safety tips recommended by Jonathan Finnoff, co-chair of the Sports Concussion Program at Minnesota's Mayo Clinic.
SKIING SAFETY TIP NO. 1: KEEP A CLEAR HEAD
"A lot of people start out at sea level, go on vacation at a high altitude and drink a bunch of beer at lunch," cautions Finnoff. This can result in dehydration, disinhibition and slow reaction times.
SSKIING SAFETY TIP NO. 2: TAY TUNED
Finnoff recommends having your bindings checked at a ski shop once a season. "If they're too loose, they could pop off and hit someone or cause you to crash, and if they're too tight, you might tear a knee ligament."
SKIING SAFETY TIP NO. 3: EXERCISE CONTROL
Skiing or snowboarding out of control at high speeds often leads to multiple traumas, according to Finnoff. "Those are the people who get injured," he says--even when they're wearing a helmet.
SKIING SAFETY TIP NO. 4: LEARN THE CODE
The National Ski Areas Association's seven-point "responsibility code" (nsaa.org) lists the important rules of the slopes, such as where (and where not) to stop, and who gets the right-of-way (everyone in front of you).
SKIING SAFETY TIP NO. 5: HELMET PICKS
Before you buy a helmet, make sure it conforms to the American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard F2040. And remember: These things have a shelf life; check the manufacturer's recommendations for your helmet's life expectancy. Todd Sexton, general manager at the US Outdoor Store in Portland, OR, recommends these three models:
1. The Giro G10 is a stylish, breathable ski helmet with a high-tech ventilation system that pulls cool air in and pumps hot air out, plus an impact-absorbing EPS liner. giro.com; $130
2. Bern Watts is a good helmet for both snowboarding and skiing, with its ventilated visor lid, goggle clips and snap-in knit liner for cold days. bernunlimited.com; $99
3. The Smith Optics Vantage looks like a skier's helmet but works equally well for snowboarders. The hybrid shell construction is both durable and light; front and rear climate controls make it easy to cool down while riding the lift (open the back vents and close the front ones). smithoptics.com; $180
Now that you're safe and sound and ready to take on any mountain, have you ever skied Lake Tahoe? Check out our skiing Lake Tahoe article to learn more about one of the greatest skiing spots on the planet.
NOTE: Information may have changed since publication. Please confirm key details before planning your trip.
