If you stick to official ski runs, master the basic techniques, use the right equipment and ski within your limits, skiing is a relatively safe activity. But, skiing does present risks. Around 38 people die every year in the United States after a skiing or snowboarding accident, according to the National Ski Areas Association. Serious injuries, such as paralysis, occur at a rate of 42 people per year, but many more suffer minor sprains.
Ability
When your friends goad you into trying a difficult course, don't give in to the pressure. Skiing beyond your current ability is one of the most likely sources of injury risks in skiing. Most ski resorts clearly mark the skill level required to attempt a course. An instructor can advise on which run suits your skiing ability. In the U.S., slopes marked green are the beginner runs and blue are intermediate. You should only attempt black runs, which are expert slopes, if you're very experienced and confident. A black run might include jumps, drops or sudden turns that require real skill to negotiate.
Equipment
Poorly fitted or damaged equipment are two of the biggest risk factors in skiing, according to Physioroom.com. Both cases often lead to injuries through falls and malfunctions. For example, if the ski bindings aren't fitted properly then the foot can slip out off the ski or wobble around. This leads to ankle sprains and tumbles when skiing. Similarly, rented equipment is often loose fitting. Wobbly big boots allow the foot to slip and the ankle to twist. Using poles or skis that are too short or long for your frame might lower your ability to control and turn, meaning more chance of an accident.
Avalanche
Skiing often takes place in avalanche-prone locations. Really, any mountain or hillside covered in snow runs the risk of avalanche. During a slight thaw or a heavy snowfall the underlying rocks and snow become unstable. Skiing directly over an unstable area could trigger an avalanche, though it's more likely that an avalanche occurs further up a mountain and falls down toward a skier. It's a frightening thought -- but this is also one of the rarer risks of skiing. Overall fatalities from avalanches range between 20 and 36 people per year in the U.S. between 2001 and 2011, according to the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center.
Rules and Terrain
Wandering off the established routes is another skiing risk that increases your chance of injury. Unless you know an area very well, stick to the marked slopes. Going "off piste" could lead you into all kinds of problems, from getting lost in cold temperatures to hitting hidden logs and rocks. Also, wandering off from the main run means that you're less likely to be rescued quickly in the event of an accident. Similarly, adhere to any signs you see while skiing. For example, slowing down in a zone marked "Slow" means you reduce your risk of injury.
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