Skiing Injuries in Alpine Recreational Skiers

A total of 328 injured skiers were recorded in 4 Norwegian ski resorts during the winter of 1985/1986 and compared with a population of 316 uninjured skiers. The most common injury sites were the knee (24%), shoulder (15%), and head (14%). Only 6% of the injured skiers suffered a lower leg fracture, but the frequency of this fracture was almost six times higher in children below age ten years than in adult skiers. Beginners had an injury risk four times the average, whereas skiers taking formal skiing instruction during the current season were underrepresented among the injured skiers. Tested bindings were more common among uninjured skiers, and such bindings were also more apt to release during the accident than bindings not tested. Nine percent of the injuries occurred during powder skiing, whereas 16% of the injured population and 30% of the uninjured population spent some time powder skiing the current day. In conclusion, skiers ought to take instruction and self-release test their bindings for safer skiing.