5 ski slope behaviors to avoid

Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed for a lifetime without incident or injury.

There are, however, factors that can lead to accident-prone behavior, and many of these are ingrained habits as we gain experience and confidence on the slopes.

For the sake of our bodies, our longevity on the slopes and for the safety of those around us, here are 5 ski resort habits that we should avoid:

Riding with headphones

To be safe while snowboarding, it is important to be able to detect and perceive surrounding events. Sometimes our eyes can miss warning signs, but our ears do not miss them.

Listening to music distracts us during snowboarding and makes us take risks that could be dangerous. In general, listening to music while snowboarding can cause more collisions.

Not lowering the safety bar

As we become more at home on the slopes it is easy to cut corners and not be as stringent with safety measures than we formerly were.

Even if we feel certain that we won’t slip off of the lift, we can’t always control its operation, and a sudden halt could easily knock us forward, or cause the lift to crash. This could happen suddenly and its effects are very severe especially in individuals with an underlying medical condition.

Ducking ropes or ignoring signs

Ski resorts have very good reasons for keeping their guests out of certain areas. They do this by putting signs or ropes in these areas. When you duck the ropes or ignore the signs, there may be danger ahead.

Many tragic stories are started by someone ignoring a sign or skiing under a rope and mostly, they happen to experienced snowboarders.

Chatting on the phone whilst skiing

Similar to using headphones while skiing, chatting with a friend or browsing social media while skiing is a huge distraction. Phones can absorb the user to a point where they are not aware of their surroundings anymore and this can lead to fatal accidents while skiing.

Not knowing when to call it a day

Many accidents often occur in the last run during skiing. This happens for several reasons.

The major reason is because we are tired and begin to cut corners in our technique and form, leading to sloppy skiing and weak body positions. At this point, the legs are tired and the individual leans back while skiing. This posture makes a fall more likely and we are more prone to injury that way.

Skiers push themselves to their limits out of the desire to maximize their time on the slopes, and pride plays a role as well, as they do not want to admit they have had enough, or slow down their friends.

When we have enough energy, it is important to let our bodies know that it is time to call it a day.

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