Remember it’s best to cool it on the slopes

WITH the recent winter weather our snow resorts in Scotland have been trying to maximise their numbers and hopes are high for an extended season.

Even at my level there are few sports more exhilarating (and frightening) to take part in than downhill skiing and it is sure to be one of the most-watched sports in next month’s Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Not surprisingly skiing is a sport where the risk of injury is significant – some would say inevitable. For the professionals, pushing for the vital milliseconds required for that gold medal winning time can potentially result in a “wipe out” and a careerthreatening injury.

However, perhaps surprisingly, the group that is most at risk of injury is the once-a-year recreational skier.

Falls account for 75 per cent of injuries with collisions causing a further 20 per cent. Some injuries even occur on ski lifts especially when getting on and off.

Interestingly the overall rate of ski injuries has decreased by about 50 per cent in the last 30 years. The biggest fall is in leg fractures as a result of better equipment such as plastic-shell boots and ski bindings, which release after a fall, and brakes, which prevent a runaway ski injuring someone else as it slides down the slope.

Lower limb injuries are the most frequent, with knee ligament injury the most common.

This often happens in beginners who are off balance and twist their knee even at a slow speed. The most serious limb injuries are fractures and cruciate ligament injuries. Some of the world’s top knee surgeons are based in ski resorts with a ready-made supply of customers quite literally skiing into their consulting rooms!

Thumb and shoulder injuries are the most common upper limb injuries, with broken wrists particularly common in snowboarders.

Tiredness is probably the biggest single risk factor for a skiing injury. It is reckoned that the most common time to be injured on a ski holiday is on the afternoon of the second day. This is when the poorly prepared skier will have completed two days of hard effort and will be at peak fatigue.

With the mid-term holidays to come and Easter not too far away, these few weeks are the busiest for skiing holidays. So how can we make sure that we have what it takes to ski all day – and have enough energy to enjoy the night?

I would suggest at least a six-week programme aimed at building up fitness, muscle strength and balance. Remember to start the day with a good breakfast and wear plenty of warm clothing – what seems a nice sunny day at the bottom can turn into sub-zero temperatures at the top.

Always wear a hat and gloves. Two thin layers are better than one thick one and ensure your clothes are waterproof.

Don’t forget the sunscreen and lip protection, no matter the weather. Start gently and warm-up on the easy slopes, stop for regular snacks and breaks and most importantly don’t be too adventurous – black runs are for expert skiers, not to show off!

Remember accidents occur most often on that very last run – when you have had enough stop and enjoy a long soak in a warm bath before a well-earned rest.