Skiing Behavior of Alpine Recreational Skiers

Alpine skiers on Norwegian slopes were studied during the winter of 1985/1986. A total of 789 skiers were selected randomly from lift lines in 7 ski resorts and surveyed for injury-related behavior. The median age of the skiers was 20 years (range 3–61 years). Thirty-eight percent were females; sixty-two percent were males. Sixteen percent had suffered previous skiing injuries. Forty-five percent of the population was classified as experts and advanced skiers, and males had a higher ability level and were more experienced skiers than females. Only 38% of the skiers had received any skiing instruction. This percentage was three times as high for experts as for beginners. Most of the bindings (63%) were adjusted in a ski shop, but 29% had never been tested for release. The frequency of binding tests increased with increasing skiing ability and was higher for males than for females. One quarter of the skiers enjoyed powder skiing, and they were more skilled skiers than the others. In conclusion, more than half of the skiers had never attended skiing classes, but the percentage of attendance and the execution of binding tests increased with increasing skiing skill.