subject: How to Avoid Skiing Injuries - Top Tips [print this page] How to Avoid Skiing Injuries - Top Tips How to Avoid Skiing Injuries - Top Tips
A little forward planning and care can help you and your fellow skiers enjoy a wonderful skiing holiday and reduce the risk of mishaps and injuries. It is wise to follow a programme of exercises specifically for skiing in the weeks leading up to your ski trip. Look out for my other article on ski fitness which will be published soon.
The following tips will help make sure that your skiing holiday is everything you hoped for.
1 Don't borrow skis or boots from a friend, or buy online without trying them on. Your boots should be a nice snug fit, without your ankle moving around at all inside. If you are hiring skis, don't exaggerate your level of expertise. If you are given skis that are too long, you will find them harder to turn. Also,bindings that are set too high for your ability level could easily lead to injury.
2 Warm up and cool down before skiing. Take a few minutes to stretch your thighs, hamstrings, calves and hip muscles before you hit the slopes in the morning and make sure you hold each stretch for 30 seconds.
3 Book some ski tuition for your holiday, whether you are a novice or an experienced skier avoid picking up or continuing with bad habits that could lead to sports injury.
4 Keep to your own ability level and don't be tempted to keep up with more experienced friends. A lot of sports injuries happen because someone is trying to ski faster or on more difficult pistes than is safe for their ability level.
5 Keep your knees flexed at all times (but not more than is comfortable), and if you are going to fall, always aim to fall forwards, not backwards. Use knee supports to provide extra stability and to keep your knees safe from injury.
6 Gain some basic knowledge about first aid and specifically sports first aid so that you can be a help and not a hindrance if an accident occurs.
7 Always quit while you are ahead! Although it can be tempting to fit in one last ski, this can be a mistake! Don't ski when you are feeling tired as accidents are most frequent at the end of the day.
Finally, soothe your aching muscles back at your chalet with a long soak in the hot tub or a relaxing massage.
Follow these simple tips and they will help you avoid knee injury and other sports injuries. Have a great skiing holiday!
