Most frequent injuries diagnosed for skiers in France 2019/2020
The knee was the weak point of skiers on the French slopes during the 2019/2020 season. More precisely, 32 percent of skiers' injuries were to knee sprains, the most recurrent form being the crossing of the anterior ligaments.
According to the source, the lower limbs are at high risk of injury for skiers as well, with more than 50 percent of injuries recorded on the legs and knees during the 2019/2020 season.
Although more minimal, head injuries can be a real danger for the victim, with significant and long-lasting possible aftereffects. As only two-thirds of young people between 15 and 25 years of age have ever skied more than once, the number of novices is quite high on the slopes. And even though the group of mountain doctors particularly advises beginners to wear a helmet, differences in speed and trajectory can be the cause of many accidents. Especially since most head injuries are primarily caused by collisions on the slopes. Thus, wearing a helmet is the best prevention to reduce the number of injuries for all snow fans.
In case of an avalanche accident, every minute is precious for the victim's survival. High mountain guides and rescuers strongly recommend being equipped with avalanche victim detectors before reaching the summits, as these transceivers make it easier to locate a person buried under the snow. In fact, since the early 2000s, these detectors have been used more and more: among the victims of avalanche accidents in the period 2013-2018, more than 50 percent were equipped with detectors.
According to the source, the lower limbs are at high risk of injury for skiers as well, with more than 50 percent of injuries recorded on the legs and knees during the 2019/2020 season.
Danger on the slopes
While the knee is the weak point for skiers, the main Achilles heel for snowboarders was the wrist: 25 percent of snowboarder injuries were related to a broken wrist during the 2019/2020 season.Although more minimal, head injuries can be a real danger for the victim, with significant and long-lasting possible aftereffects. As only two-thirds of young people between 15 and 25 years of age have ever skied more than once, the number of novices is quite high on the slopes. And even though the group of mountain doctors particularly advises beginners to wear a helmet, differences in speed and trajectory can be the cause of many accidents. Especially since most head injuries are primarily caused by collisions on the slopes. Thus, wearing a helmet is the best prevention to reduce the number of injuries for all snow fans.
Fatal risk in off-piste skiing
The high summits, the immaculate snow as well as the search for adrenaline push many skiers and snowboarders to go off-piste. Although the prevention measures, such as voluntary avalanche triggers, are numerous, several people die buried under the snow every year. During the 2019/2020 season, 21 avalanche accidents including skiers were reported.In case of an avalanche accident, every minute is precious for the victim's survival. High mountain guides and rescuers strongly recommend being equipped with avalanche victim detectors before reaching the summits, as these transceivers make it easier to locate a person buried under the snow. In fact, since the early 2000s, these detectors have been used more and more: among the victims of avalanche accidents in the period 2013-2018, more than 50 percent were equipped with detectors.
