Upper Extremity Snowboarding Injuries
Ten-Year Results from the Colorado Snowboard Injury Survey Jan R. Idzikowski, PA-C*, Peter C. Janes, MD and Paul J. Abbott, MD
Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, High Country Health Care, PC, Vail, Colorado
* Address correspondence and reprint requests to Jan R. Idzikowski, PA-C, Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, High Country Health Care PC, 181 W. Meadow Drive, Vail, CO 81657
A survey of snowboarding injuries was conducted over 10 seasons (1988 to 1998). A questionnaire evaluating 20 variables was used to collect data from 47 medical facilities near Colorado ski resorts. A total of 7430 snowboarding-related injuries were seen. A control group consisted of 3107 noninjured snowboarders. Most of those injured were 30 years of age or younger; 74% of injuries occurred in men and 26% in women; 39% of injured snowboarders were beginners and 61% were intermediate or experts. Men rode at more advanced levels than women. Injured snowboarders were more likely than noninjured snowboarders to be beginners. There were 3645 (49.06% of total) upper extremity injuries; 56.43% were fractures, 26.78% sprains, and 9.66% dislocations. The most common site of injury was the wrist (21.6% of all snowboarding injuries). Wrist fractures (except to the scaphoid) and sprains were more common in beginners, women, and younger age groups. Intermediate and expert men were more likely to sustain hand, elbow, and shoulder injuries, as well as more severe injuries. Falling was the predominant mechanism of upper extremity injuries. Snowboarders who wore protective wrist guards were half as likely to sustain wrist injuries as those who did not wear guards.
Online Quotes & Enrollment
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Snowboard Injury Study
Upper Extremity Snowboarding Injuries
Ten-Year Results from the Colorado Snowboard Injury Survey Jan R. Idzikowski, PA-C*, Peter C. Janes, MD and Paul J. Abbott, MD
Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, High Country Health Care, PC, Vail, Colorado
* Address correspondence and reprint requests to Jan R. Idzikowski, PA-C, Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, High Country Health Care PC, 181 W. Meadow Drive, Vail, CO 81657
A survey of snowboarding injuries was conducted over 10 seasons (1988 to 1998). A questionnaire evaluating 20 variables was used to collect data from 47 medical facilities near Colorado ski resorts. A total of 7430 snowboarding-related injuries were seen. A control group consisted of 3107 noninjured snowboarders. Most of those injured were 30 years of age or younger; 74% of injuries occurred in men and 26% in women; 39% of injured snowboarders were beginners and 61% were intermediate or experts. Men rode at more advanced levels than women. Injured snowboarders were more likely than noninjured snowboarders to be beginners. There were 3645 (49.06% of total) upper extremity injuries; 56.43% were fractures, 26.78% sprains, and 9.66% dislocations. The most common site of injury was the wrist (21.6% of all snowboarding injuries). Wrist fractures (except to the scaphoid) and sprains were more common in beginners, women, and younger age groups. Intermediate and expert men were more likely to sustain hand, elbow, and shoulder injuries, as well as more severe injuries. Falling was the predominant mechanism of upper extremity injuries. Snowboarders who wore protective wrist guards were half as likely to sustain wrist injuries as those who did not wear guards.
Ten-Year Results from the Colorado Snowboard Injury Survey Jan R. Idzikowski, PA-C*, Peter C. Janes, MD and Paul J. Abbott, MD
Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, High Country Health Care, PC, Vail, Colorado
* Address correspondence and reprint requests to Jan R. Idzikowski, PA-C, Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, High Country Health Care PC, 181 W. Meadow Drive, Vail, CO 81657
A survey of snowboarding injuries was conducted over 10 seasons (1988 to 1998). A questionnaire evaluating 20 variables was used to collect data from 47 medical facilities near Colorado ski resorts. A total of 7430 snowboarding-related injuries were seen. A control group consisted of 3107 noninjured snowboarders. Most of those injured were 30 years of age or younger; 74% of injuries occurred in men and 26% in women; 39% of injured snowboarders were beginners and 61% were intermediate or experts. Men rode at more advanced levels than women. Injured snowboarders were more likely than noninjured snowboarders to be beginners. There were 3645 (49.06% of total) upper extremity injuries; 56.43% were fractures, 26.78% sprains, and 9.66% dislocations. The most common site of injury was the wrist (21.6% of all snowboarding injuries). Wrist fractures (except to the scaphoid) and sprains were more common in beginners, women, and younger age groups. Intermediate and expert men were more likely to sustain hand, elbow, and shoulder injuries, as well as more severe injuries. Falling was the predominant mechanism of upper extremity injuries. Snowboarders who wore protective wrist guards were half as likely to sustain wrist injuries as those who did not wear guards.
Colorado Ski Safety Act
Warning Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing including: changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees; collision with natural objects, man- made objects or other skiers; variations in the terrain; and the failure of the skiers to ski within their own abilities.
THE SKI SAFETY ACT
COLORADO REVISED STATUTES
Title 33
Wildlife and Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Article 44
Ski Safety and Liability
Effective July 1, 2006
DISCLAIMER: Colorado Revised Statutes are made available for public use by the Committee on Legal Services of the Colorado General Assembly through a contractual arrangement with the LexisNexis Group, which prepares and maintains the official website for the state of Colorado.
The statutes are copyrighted by the state of Colorado (please see §2-5-115, C.R.S.). Any person wishing to reprint and distribute all or a substantial part of the statutes in either printed or electronic format must obtain prior permission of the Committee on Legal Services; permission is not required to reprint fewer than 200 sections of C.R.S. (please see §2-5-118, C.R.S.).
LexisNexis Group customer support can be reached at 1-800-543-6862.
SKI SAFETY ACT
Table of Contents
33-44-101. Short title...................................................................................................................................1
33-44-102. Legislative declaration................................................................................................................1
33-44-103. Definitions.................................................................................................................................1
33-44-104. Negligence - civil actions............................................................................................................2
33-44-105. Duties of passengers..................................................................................................................2
33-44-106. Duties of operators - signs..........................................................................................................3
33-44-107. Duties of ski area operators - signs and notices required for skiers' information.......................4
33-44-108. Ski area operators - additional duties.........................................................................................5
33-44-109. Duties of skiers - penalties.........................................................................................................5
33-44-110. Competition and freestyle terrain................................................................................................6
33-44-111. Statute of limitation.....................................................................................................................6
33-44-112. Limitation on actions for injury resulting from inherent dangers and risks of skiing...................7
33-44-113. Limitation of liability....................................................................................................................7
33-44-114. Inconsistent law or statute..........................................................................................................7
i SKI SAFETY ACT
33-44-101. Short title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Ski Safety Act of 1979".
33-44-102. Legislative declaration.
The general assembly hereby finds and declares that it is in the interest of the state of Colorado to establish reasonable safety standards for the operation of ski areas and for the skiers using them. Realizing the dangers that inhere in the sport of skiing, regardless of any and all reasonable safety measures which can be employed, the purpose of this article is to supplement the passenger tramway safety provisions of part 7 of article 5 of title 25, C.R.S.; to further define the legal responsibilities of ski area operators and their agents and employees; to define the responsibilities of skiers using such ski areas; and to define the rights and liabilities existing between the skier and the ski area operator and between skiers.
33-44-103. Definitions.
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Base area lift" means any passenger tramway which skiers ordinarily use without first using some other passenger tramway.
(2) "Competitor" means a skier actually engaged in competition, a special event, or training or practicing for competition or a special event on any portion of the area made available by the ski area operator.
(3) "Conditions of ordinary visibility" means daylight and, where applicable, nighttime in nonprecipitating weather.
(3.1) "Extreme terrain" means any place within the ski area boundary that contains cliffs with a minimum twenty-foot rise over a fifteen-foot run, and slopes with a minimum fifty-degree average pitch over a one-hundred-foot run.
(3.3) "Freestyle terrain" includes, but is not limited to, terrain parks and terrain park features such as jumps, rails, fun boxes, and all other constructed and natural features, half-pipes, quarter-pipes, and freestyle-bump terrain.
(3.5) "Inherent dangers and risks of skiing" means those dangers or conditions that are part of the sport of skiing, including changing weather conditions; snow conditions as they exist or may change, such as ice, hard pack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn, crust, slush, cut-up snow, and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streambeds, cliffs, extreme terrain, and trees, or other natural objects, and collisions with such natural objects; impact with lift towers, signs, posts, fences or enclosures, hydrants, water pipes, or other man-made structures and their components; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations, including but not limited to roads, freestyle terrain, jumps, and catwalks or other terrain modifications; collisions with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities. The term "inherent dangers and risks of skiing" does not include the negligence of a ski area operator as set forth in section 33-44-104 (2). Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the liability of the ski area operator for injury caused by the use or operation of ski lifts.
(4) "Passenger" means any person who is lawfully using any passenger tramway.
(5) "Passenger tramway" means a device as defined in section 25-5-702 (4), C.R.S.
(6) "Ski area" means all ski slopes or trails and all other places within the ski area boundary, marked in accordance with section 33-44-107 (6), under the control of a ski area operator and administered as a single enterprise within this state.
Effective July 1, 2006 Page 1 of 7 SKI SAFETY ACT
(7) "Ski area operator" means an "area operator" as defined in section 25-5-702 (1), C.R.S., and any person, partnership, corporation, or other commercial entity having operational responsibility for any ski areas, including an agency of this state or a political subdivision thereof.
(8) "Skier" means any person using a ski area for the purpose of skiing, which includes, without limitation, sliding downhill or jumping on snow or ice on skis, a toboggan, a sled, a tube, a snowbike, a snowboard, or any other device; or for the purpose of using any of the facilities of the ski area, including but not limited to ski slopes and trails.
(9) "Ski slopes or trails" means all ski slopes or trails and adjoining skiable terrain, including all their edges and features, and those areas designated by the ski area operator to be used by skiers for any of the purposes enumerated in subsection (8) of this section. Such designation shall be set forth on trail maps, if provided, and designated by signs indicating to the skiing public the intent that such areas be used by skiers for the purpose of skiing. Nothing in this subsection (9) or in subsection (8) of this section, however, shall imply that ski slopes or trails may not be restricted for use by persons using skis only or for use by persons using any other device described in subsection (8) of this section.
33-44-104. Negligence - civil actions.
(1) A violation of any requirement of this article shall, to the extent such violation causes injury to any person or damage to property, constitute negligence on the part of the person violating such requirement.
(2) A violation by a ski area operator of any requirement of this article or any rule or regulation promulgated by the passenger tramway safety board pursuant to section 25-5-704 (1) (a), C.R.S., shall, to the extent such violation causes injury to any person or damage to property, constitute negligence on the part of such operator.
(3) All rules adopted or amended by the passenger tramway safety board on or after July 1, 1979, shall be subject to sections 24-4-103 (8) (c) and (8) (d) and 24-34-104 (9) (b) (II), C.R.S.
33-44-105. Duties of passengers.
(1) No passenger shall board a passenger tramway if he does not have sufficient physical dexterity, ability, and knowledge to negotiate or use such facility safely or until such passenger has asked for and received information sufficient to enable him to use the equipment safely. A passenger is required to follow any written or verbal instructions that are given to him regarding the use of the passenger tramway.
(2) No passenger shall:
(a) Embark upon or disembark from a passenger tramway except at a designated area except in the event of a stoppage of the passenger tramway (and then only under the supervision of the operator) or unless reasonably necessary in the event of an emergency to prevent injury to the passenger or others;
(b) Throw or expel any object from any passenger tramway while riding on such device, except as permitted by the operator;
(c) Act, while riding on a passenger tramway, in any manner that may interfere with proper or safe operation of such passenger tramway;
(d) Engage in any type of conduct that may contribute to or cause injury to any person;
(e) Place in an uphill track of a J-bar, T-bar, platter pull, rope tow, or any other surface lift any object that could cause another skier to fall;
(f) Embark upon a passenger tramway marked as closed;
(g) Disobey any instructions posted in accordance with this article or any verbal instructions by the ski area operator regarding the proper or safe use of a passenger tramway unless such verbal instructions are contrary to this article or the rules promulgated under it, or contrary to posted instructions.
Effective July 1, 2006 Page 2 of 7 SKI SAFETY ACT
33-44-106. Duties of operators - signs.
(1) Each ski area operator shall maintain a sign system with concise, simple, and pertinent information for the protection and instruction of passengers. Signs shall be prominently placed on each passenger tramway readable in conditions of ordinary visibility and, where applicable, adequately lighted for nighttime passengers. Signs shall be posted as follows:
(a) At or near the loading point of each passenger tramway, regardless of the type, advising that any person not familiar with the operation of the device shall ask the operator of the device for assistance and instruction;
(b) At the interior of each two-car and multicar passenger tramway, showing:
(I) The maximum capacity in pounds of the car and the maximum number of passengers allowed;
(II) Instructions for procedures in emergencies;
(c) In a conspicuous place at each loading area of two-car and multicar passenger tramways, stating the maximum capacity in pounds of the car and the maximum number of passengers allowed;
(d) At all chair lifts, stating the following:
(I) "Prepare to Unload", which shall be located not less than fifty feet ahead of the unloading area;
(II) "Keep Ski Tips Up", which shall be located ahead of any point where the skis may come in contact with a platform or the snow surface;
(III) "Unload Here", which shall be located at the point designated for unloading;
(IV) "Safety Gate", which shall be located where applicable;
(V) "Remove Pole Straps from Wrists", which shall be located prominently at each loading area;
(VI) "Check for Loose Clothing and Equipment", which shall be located before the "Prepare to Unload" sign;
(e) At all J-bars, T-bars, platter pulls, rope tows, and any other surface lift, stating the following:
(I) "Remove Pole Straps from Wrists", which shall be placed at or near the loading area;
(II) "Stay in Tracks", "Unload Here", and "Safety Gate", which shall be located where applicable;
(III) "Prepare to Unload", which shall be located not less than fifty feet ahead of each unloading area;
(f) Near the boarding area of all J-bars, T-bars, platter pulls, rope tows, and any other surface lift, advising passengers to check to be certain that clothing, scarves, and hair will not become entangled with the lift;
(g) At or near the boarding area of all lifts, regarding the requirements of section 33-44-109 (6).
(2) Other signs not specified by subsection (1) of this section may be posted at the discretion of the ski area operator.
(3) The ski area operator, before opening the passenger tramway to the public each day, shall inspect such passenger tramway for the presence and visibility of the signs required by subsection (1) of this section.
(4) The extent of the responsibility of the ski area operator under this section shall be to post and maintain such signs as are required by subsection (1) of this section in such condition that they may be viewed during conditions of ordinary visibility. Evidence that signs required by subsection (1) of this section were present, visible, and readable where required at the beginning of the passenger tramway
Effective July 1, 2006 Page 3 of 7 SKI SAFETY ACT
operation on any given day raises a presumption that all passengers using said devices have seen and understood said signs.
33-44-107. Duties of ski area operators - signs and notices required for skiers' information.
(1) Each ski area operator shall maintain a sign and marking system as set forth in this section in addition to that required by section 33-44-106. All signs required by this section shall be maintained so as to be readable and recognizable under conditions of ordinary visibility.
(2) A sign shall be placed in such a position as to be recognizable as a sign to skiers proceeding to the uphill loading point of each base area lift depicting and explaining signs and symbols which the skier may encounter at the ski area as follows:
(a) The ski area's least difficult trails and slopes, designated by a green circle and the word "easiest";
(b) The ski area's most difficult trails and slopes, designated by a black diamond and the words "most difficult";
(c) The ski area's trails and slopes which have a degree of difficulty that falls between the green circle and the black diamond designation, designated by a blue square and the words "more difficult";
(d) The ski area's extreme terrain shall be signed at the commonly used access designated with two black diamonds containing the letters "E" in one and "X" in the other in white and the words "extreme terrain". The ski area's specified freestyle terrain areas shall be designated with an orange oval.
(e) Closed trails or slopes, designated by an octagonal-shaped sign with a red border around a white interior containing a black figure in the shape of a skier with a black band running diagonally across the sign from the upper right-hand side to the lower left-hand side and with the word "Closed" printed beneath the emblem.
(3) If applicable, a sign shall be placed at or near the loading point of each passenger tramway, as follows:
"WARNING: This lift services (most difficult) or (most difficult and more difficult) or (more difficult) slopes only."
(4) If a particular trail or slope or portion of a trail or slope is closed to the public by a ski area operator, such operator shall place a sign notifying the public of that fact at each identified entrance of each portion of the trail or slope involved. Alternatively, such a trail or slope or portion thereof may be closed with ropes or fences.
(5) The ski area operator shall place a sign at or near the beginning of each trail or slope, which sign shall contain the appropriate symbol of the relative degree of difficulty of that particular trail or slope as set forth by subsection (2) of this section. This requirement shall not apply to a slope or trail designated "easiest" which to a skier is substantially visible in its entirety under conditions of ordinary visibility prior to his beginning to ski the same.
(6) The ski area operator shall mark its ski area boundaries in a fashion readily visible to skiers under conditions of ordinary visibility. Where the owner of land adjoining a ski area closes all or part of his land and so advises the ski area operator, such portions of the boundary shall be signed as required by paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of this section. This requirement shall not apply in heavily wooded areas or other nonskiable terrain. Effective July 1, 2006 Page 4 of 7
(7) The ski area operator shall mark hydrants, water pipes, and all other man-made structures on slopes and trails which are not readily visible to skiers under conditions of ordinary visibility from a distance of at least one hundred feet and shall adequately and appropriately cover such obstructions with a shock-absorbent material that will lessen injuries. Any type of marker shall be sufficient, including but not limited to wooden poles, flags, or signs, if the marker is visible from a distance of one hundred feet and if the marker itself does not constitute a serious hazard to skiers. Variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design or snowmaking or grooming operations, including but not
SKI SAFETY ACT
limited to roads and catwalks or other terrain modifications, are not man-made structures, as that term is used in this article.
(8) (a) Each ski area operator shall post and maintain signs which contain the warning notice specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8). Such signs shall be placed in a clearly visible location at the ski area where the lift tickets and ski school lessons are sold and in such a position to be recognizable as a sign to skiers proceeding to the uphill loading point of each base area lift. Each sign shall be no smaller than three feet by three feet. Each sign shall be white with black and red letters as specified in this paragraph (a). The words "WARNING" shall appear on the sign in red letters. The warning notice specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8) shall appear on the sign in black letters, with each letter to be a minimum of one inch in height.
(b) Every ski lift ticket sold or made available for sale to skiers by any ski area operator shall contain in clearly readable print the warning notice specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8).
(c) The signs described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (8) and the lift tickets described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8) shall contain the following warning notice:
WARNING
Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including: Changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees; collisions with natural objects, man-made objects, or other skiers; variations in terrain; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities.
33-44-108. Ski area operators - additional duties.
(1) Any motorized snow-grooming vehicle shall be equipped with a light visible at any time the vehicle is moving on or in the vicinity of a ski slope or trail.
(2) Whenever maintenance equipment is being employed to maintain or groom any ski slope or trail while such ski slope or trail is open to the public, the ski area operator shall place or cause to be placed a conspicuous notice to that effect at or near the top of that ski slope or trail. This requirement shall not apply to maintenance equipment transiting to or from a grooming project.
(3) All snowmobiles operated on the ski slopes or trails of a ski area shall be equipped with at least the following: One lighted headlamp, one lighted red tail lamp, a brake system maintained in operable condition, and a fluorescent flag at least forty square inches mounted at least six feet above the bottom of the tracks.
(4) The ski area operator shall have no duty arising out of its status as a ski area operator to any skier skiing beyond the area boundaries marked as required by section 33-44-107 (6).
(5) The ski area operator, upon finding a person skiing in a careless and reckless manner, may revoke that person's skiing privileges. This subsection (5) shall not be construed to create an affirmative duty on the part of the ski area operator to protect skiers from their own or from another skier's carelessness or recklessness.
33-44-109. Duties of skiers - penalties.
(1) Each skier solely has the responsibility for knowing the range of his own ability to negotiate any ski slope or trail and to ski within the limits of such ability. Each skier expressly accepts and assumes the risk of and all legal responsibility for any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing; except that a skier is not precluded under this article from suing another skier for any injury to person or property resulting from such other skier's acts or omissions. Notwithstanding any provision of law or statute to the contrary, the risk of a skier/skier collision is neither an inherent risk nor a risk assumed by a skier in an action by one skier against another.
Effective July 1, 2006 Page 5 of 7 SKI SAFETY ACT
(2) Each skier has the duty to maintain control of his speed and course at all times when skiing and to maintain a proper lookout so as to be able to avoid other skiers and objects. However, the primary duty shall be on the person skiing downhill to avoid collision with any person or objects below him.
(3) No skier shall ski on a ski slope or trail that has been posted as "Closed" pursuant to section 33-44-107 (2) (e) and (4).
(4) Each skier shall stay clear of snow-grooming equipment, all vehicles, lift towers, signs, and any other equipment on the ski slopes and trails.
(5) Each skier has the duty to heed all posted information and other warnings and to refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of the skier or others. Each skier shall be presumed to have seen and understood all information posted in accordance with this article near base area lifts, on the passenger tramways, and on such ski slopes or trails as he is skiing. Under conditions of decreased visibility, the duty is on the skier to locate and ascertain the meaning of all signs posted in accordance with sections 33-44-106 and 33-44-107.
(6) Each ski or snowboard used by a skier while skiing shall be equipped with a strap or other device capable of stopping the ski or snowboard should the ski or snowboard become unattached from the skier. This requirement shall not apply to cross country skis.
(7) No skier shall cross the uphill track of a J-bar, T-bar, platter pull, or rope tow except at locations designated by the operator; nor shall a skier place any object in such an uphill track.
(8) Before beginning to ski from a stationary position or before entering a ski slope or trail from the side, the skier shall have the duty of avoiding moving skiers already on the ski slope or trail.
(9) No person shall move uphill on any passenger tramway or use any ski slope or trail while such person's ability to do so is impaired by the consumption of alcohol or by the use of any controlled substance, as defined in section 12-22-303 (7), C.R.S., or other drug or while such person is under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance, as defined in section 12-22-303 (7), C.R.S., or other drug.
(10) No skier involved in a collision with another skier or person in which an injury results shall leave the vicinity of the collision before giving his or her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the collision; in which event the person so leaving the scene of the collision shall give his or her name and current address as required by this subsection (10) after securing such aid.
(11) No person shall knowingly enter upon public or private lands from an adjoining ski area when such land has been closed by its owner and so posted by the owner or by the ski area operator pursuant to section 33-44-107 (6).
(12) Any person who violates any of the provisions of subsection (3), (9), (10), or (11) of this section is guilty of a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.
33-44-110. Competition and freestyle terrain.
(1) The ski area operator shall, prior to use of any portion of the area made available by the ski area operator, allow each competitor an opportunity to reasonably visually inspect the course, venue, or area.
(2) The competitor shall be held to assume the risk of all course, venue, or area conditions, including, but not limited to, weather and snow conditions; obstacles; course or feature location, construction, or layout; freestyle terrain configuration and conditions; and other courses, layouts, or configurations of the area to be used. No liability shall attach to a ski area operator for injury or death to any competitor caused by course, venue, or area conditions that a visual inspection should have revealed or by collisions with other competitors. Effective July 1, 2006 Page 6 of 7
33-44-111. Statute of limitation.
SKI SAFETY ACT
All actions against any ski area operator or its employees brought to recover damages for injury to person or property caused by the maintenance, supervision, or operation of a passenger tramway or a ski area shall be brought within two years after the claim for relief arises and not thereafter.
33-44-112. Limitation on actions for injury resulting from inherent dangers and risks of skiing.
Notwithstanding any judicial decision or any other law or statute to the contrary, including but not limited to sections 13-21-111 and 13-21-111.7, C.R.S., no skier may make any claim against or recover from any ski area operator for injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing.
33-44-113. Limitation of liability.
The total amount of damages which may be recovered from a ski area operator by a skier who uses a ski area for the purpose of skiing or for the purpose of sliding downhill on snow or ice on skis, a toboggan, a sled, a tube, a ski-bob, a snowboard, or any other device and who is injured, excluding those associated with an injury occurring to a passenger while riding on a passenger tramway, shall not exceed one million dollars, present value, including any derivative claim by any other claimant, which shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars, present value, and including any claim attributable to noneconomic loss or injury, as defined in sections 13-21-102.5 (2), C.R.S., whether past damages, future damages, or a combination of both, which shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars. If, upon good cause shown, the court determines that the present value of the amount of lost past earnings and the present value of lost future earnings, or the present value of past medical and other health care costs and the present value of the amount of future medical and other health care costs, or both, when added to the present value of other past damages and the present value of other future damages, would exceed such limitation and that the application of such limitation would be unfair, the court may award damages in excess of the limitation equal to the present value of additional future damages, but only for the loss of such excess future earnings, or such excess future medical and other health care costs, or both. For purposes of this section, "present value" has the same meaning as that set forth in section 13-64-202 (7), C.R.S., and "past damages" has the same meaning as that set forth in section 13-64-202 (6), C.R.S. The existence of the limitations and exceptions thereto provided in this section shall not be disclosed to a jury.
33-44-114. Inconsistent law or statute.
Insofar as any provision of law or statute is inconsistent with the provisions of this article, this article controls.
THE SKI SAFETY ACT
COLORADO REVISED STATUTES
Title 33
Wildlife and Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Article 44
Ski Safety and Liability
Effective July 1, 2006
DISCLAIMER: Colorado Revised Statutes are made available for public use by the Committee on Legal Services of the Colorado General Assembly through a contractual arrangement with the LexisNexis Group, which prepares and maintains the official website for the state of Colorado.
The statutes are copyrighted by the state of Colorado (please see §2-5-115, C.R.S.). Any person wishing to reprint and distribute all or a substantial part of the statutes in either printed or electronic format must obtain prior permission of the Committee on Legal Services; permission is not required to reprint fewer than 200 sections of C.R.S. (please see §2-5-118, C.R.S.).
LexisNexis Group customer support can be reached at 1-800-543-6862.
SKI SAFETY ACT
Table of Contents
33-44-101. Short title...................................................................................................................................1
33-44-102. Legislative declaration................................................................................................................1
33-44-103. Definitions.................................................................................................................................1
33-44-104. Negligence - civil actions............................................................................................................2
33-44-105. Duties of passengers..................................................................................................................2
33-44-106. Duties of operators - signs..........................................................................................................3
33-44-107. Duties of ski area operators - signs and notices required for skiers' information.......................4
33-44-108. Ski area operators - additional duties.........................................................................................5
33-44-109. Duties of skiers - penalties.........................................................................................................5
33-44-110. Competition and freestyle terrain................................................................................................6
33-44-111. Statute of limitation.....................................................................................................................6
33-44-112. Limitation on actions for injury resulting from inherent dangers and risks of skiing...................7
33-44-113. Limitation of liability....................................................................................................................7
33-44-114. Inconsistent law or statute..........................................................................................................7
i SKI SAFETY ACT
33-44-101. Short title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Ski Safety Act of 1979".
33-44-102. Legislative declaration.
The general assembly hereby finds and declares that it is in the interest of the state of Colorado to establish reasonable safety standards for the operation of ski areas and for the skiers using them. Realizing the dangers that inhere in the sport of skiing, regardless of any and all reasonable safety measures which can be employed, the purpose of this article is to supplement the passenger tramway safety provisions of part 7 of article 5 of title 25, C.R.S.; to further define the legal responsibilities of ski area operators and their agents and employees; to define the responsibilities of skiers using such ski areas; and to define the rights and liabilities existing between the skier and the ski area operator and between skiers.
33-44-103. Definitions.
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Base area lift" means any passenger tramway which skiers ordinarily use without first using some other passenger tramway.
(2) "Competitor" means a skier actually engaged in competition, a special event, or training or practicing for competition or a special event on any portion of the area made available by the ski area operator.
(3) "Conditions of ordinary visibility" means daylight and, where applicable, nighttime in nonprecipitating weather.
(3.1) "Extreme terrain" means any place within the ski area boundary that contains cliffs with a minimum twenty-foot rise over a fifteen-foot run, and slopes with a minimum fifty-degree average pitch over a one-hundred-foot run.
(3.3) "Freestyle terrain" includes, but is not limited to, terrain parks and terrain park features such as jumps, rails, fun boxes, and all other constructed and natural features, half-pipes, quarter-pipes, and freestyle-bump terrain.
(3.5) "Inherent dangers and risks of skiing" means those dangers or conditions that are part of the sport of skiing, including changing weather conditions; snow conditions as they exist or may change, such as ice, hard pack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn, crust, slush, cut-up snow, and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streambeds, cliffs, extreme terrain, and trees, or other natural objects, and collisions with such natural objects; impact with lift towers, signs, posts, fences or enclosures, hydrants, water pipes, or other man-made structures and their components; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations, including but not limited to roads, freestyle terrain, jumps, and catwalks or other terrain modifications; collisions with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities. The term "inherent dangers and risks of skiing" does not include the negligence of a ski area operator as set forth in section 33-44-104 (2). Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the liability of the ski area operator for injury caused by the use or operation of ski lifts.
(4) "Passenger" means any person who is lawfully using any passenger tramway.
(5) "Passenger tramway" means a device as defined in section 25-5-702 (4), C.R.S.
(6) "Ski area" means all ski slopes or trails and all other places within the ski area boundary, marked in accordance with section 33-44-107 (6), under the control of a ski area operator and administered as a single enterprise within this state.
Effective July 1, 2006 Page 1 of 7 SKI SAFETY ACT
(7) "Ski area operator" means an "area operator" as defined in section 25-5-702 (1), C.R.S., and any person, partnership, corporation, or other commercial entity having operational responsibility for any ski areas, including an agency of this state or a political subdivision thereof.
(8) "Skier" means any person using a ski area for the purpose of skiing, which includes, without limitation, sliding downhill or jumping on snow or ice on skis, a toboggan, a sled, a tube, a snowbike, a snowboard, or any other device; or for the purpose of using any of the facilities of the ski area, including but not limited to ski slopes and trails.
(9) "Ski slopes or trails" means all ski slopes or trails and adjoining skiable terrain, including all their edges and features, and those areas designated by the ski area operator to be used by skiers for any of the purposes enumerated in subsection (8) of this section. Such designation shall be set forth on trail maps, if provided, and designated by signs indicating to the skiing public the intent that such areas be used by skiers for the purpose of skiing. Nothing in this subsection (9) or in subsection (8) of this section, however, shall imply that ski slopes or trails may not be restricted for use by persons using skis only or for use by persons using any other device described in subsection (8) of this section.
33-44-104. Negligence - civil actions.
(1) A violation of any requirement of this article shall, to the extent such violation causes injury to any person or damage to property, constitute negligence on the part of the person violating such requirement.
(2) A violation by a ski area operator of any requirement of this article or any rule or regulation promulgated by the passenger tramway safety board pursuant to section 25-5-704 (1) (a), C.R.S., shall, to the extent such violation causes injury to any person or damage to property, constitute negligence on the part of such operator.
(3) All rules adopted or amended by the passenger tramway safety board on or after July 1, 1979, shall be subject to sections 24-4-103 (8) (c) and (8) (d) and 24-34-104 (9) (b) (II), C.R.S.
33-44-105. Duties of passengers.
(1) No passenger shall board a passenger tramway if he does not have sufficient physical dexterity, ability, and knowledge to negotiate or use such facility safely or until such passenger has asked for and received information sufficient to enable him to use the equipment safely. A passenger is required to follow any written or verbal instructions that are given to him regarding the use of the passenger tramway.
(2) No passenger shall:
(a) Embark upon or disembark from a passenger tramway except at a designated area except in the event of a stoppage of the passenger tramway (and then only under the supervision of the operator) or unless reasonably necessary in the event of an emergency to prevent injury to the passenger or others;
(b) Throw or expel any object from any passenger tramway while riding on such device, except as permitted by the operator;
(c) Act, while riding on a passenger tramway, in any manner that may interfere with proper or safe operation of such passenger tramway;
(d) Engage in any type of conduct that may contribute to or cause injury to any person;
(e) Place in an uphill track of a J-bar, T-bar, platter pull, rope tow, or any other surface lift any object that could cause another skier to fall;
(f) Embark upon a passenger tramway marked as closed;
(g) Disobey any instructions posted in accordance with this article or any verbal instructions by the ski area operator regarding the proper or safe use of a passenger tramway unless such verbal instructions are contrary to this article or the rules promulgated under it, or contrary to posted instructions.
Effective July 1, 2006 Page 2 of 7 SKI SAFETY ACT
33-44-106. Duties of operators - signs.
(1) Each ski area operator shall maintain a sign system with concise, simple, and pertinent information for the protection and instruction of passengers. Signs shall be prominently placed on each passenger tramway readable in conditions of ordinary visibility and, where applicable, adequately lighted for nighttime passengers. Signs shall be posted as follows:
(a) At or near the loading point of each passenger tramway, regardless of the type, advising that any person not familiar with the operation of the device shall ask the operator of the device for assistance and instruction;
(b) At the interior of each two-car and multicar passenger tramway, showing:
(I) The maximum capacity in pounds of the car and the maximum number of passengers allowed;
(II) Instructions for procedures in emergencies;
(c) In a conspicuous place at each loading area of two-car and multicar passenger tramways, stating the maximum capacity in pounds of the car and the maximum number of passengers allowed;
(d) At all chair lifts, stating the following:
(I) "Prepare to Unload", which shall be located not less than fifty feet ahead of the unloading area;
(II) "Keep Ski Tips Up", which shall be located ahead of any point where the skis may come in contact with a platform or the snow surface;
(III) "Unload Here", which shall be located at the point designated for unloading;
(IV) "Safety Gate", which shall be located where applicable;
(V) "Remove Pole Straps from Wrists", which shall be located prominently at each loading area;
(VI) "Check for Loose Clothing and Equipment", which shall be located before the "Prepare to Unload" sign;
(e) At all J-bars, T-bars, platter pulls, rope tows, and any other surface lift, stating the following:
(I) "Remove Pole Straps from Wrists", which shall be placed at or near the loading area;
(II) "Stay in Tracks", "Unload Here", and "Safety Gate", which shall be located where applicable;
(III) "Prepare to Unload", which shall be located not less than fifty feet ahead of each unloading area;
(f) Near the boarding area of all J-bars, T-bars, platter pulls, rope tows, and any other surface lift, advising passengers to check to be certain that clothing, scarves, and hair will not become entangled with the lift;
(g) At or near the boarding area of all lifts, regarding the requirements of section 33-44-109 (6).
(2) Other signs not specified by subsection (1) of this section may be posted at the discretion of the ski area operator.
(3) The ski area operator, before opening the passenger tramway to the public each day, shall inspect such passenger tramway for the presence and visibility of the signs required by subsection (1) of this section.
(4) The extent of the responsibility of the ski area operator under this section shall be to post and maintain such signs as are required by subsection (1) of this section in such condition that they may be viewed during conditions of ordinary visibility. Evidence that signs required by subsection (1) of this section were present, visible, and readable where required at the beginning of the passenger tramway
Effective July 1, 2006 Page 3 of 7 SKI SAFETY ACT
operation on any given day raises a presumption that all passengers using said devices have seen and understood said signs.
33-44-107. Duties of ski area operators - signs and notices required for skiers' information.
(1) Each ski area operator shall maintain a sign and marking system as set forth in this section in addition to that required by section 33-44-106. All signs required by this section shall be maintained so as to be readable and recognizable under conditions of ordinary visibility.
(2) A sign shall be placed in such a position as to be recognizable as a sign to skiers proceeding to the uphill loading point of each base area lift depicting and explaining signs and symbols which the skier may encounter at the ski area as follows:
(a) The ski area's least difficult trails and slopes, designated by a green circle and the word "easiest";
(b) The ski area's most difficult trails and slopes, designated by a black diamond and the words "most difficult";
(c) The ski area's trails and slopes which have a degree of difficulty that falls between the green circle and the black diamond designation, designated by a blue square and the words "more difficult";
(d) The ski area's extreme terrain shall be signed at the commonly used access designated with two black diamonds containing the letters "E" in one and "X" in the other in white and the words "extreme terrain". The ski area's specified freestyle terrain areas shall be designated with an orange oval.
(e) Closed trails or slopes, designated by an octagonal-shaped sign with a red border around a white interior containing a black figure in the shape of a skier with a black band running diagonally across the sign from the upper right-hand side to the lower left-hand side and with the word "Closed" printed beneath the emblem.
(3) If applicable, a sign shall be placed at or near the loading point of each passenger tramway, as follows:
"WARNING: This lift services (most difficult) or (most difficult and more difficult) or (more difficult) slopes only."
(4) If a particular trail or slope or portion of a trail or slope is closed to the public by a ski area operator, such operator shall place a sign notifying the public of that fact at each identified entrance of each portion of the trail or slope involved. Alternatively, such a trail or slope or portion thereof may be closed with ropes or fences.
(5) The ski area operator shall place a sign at or near the beginning of each trail or slope, which sign shall contain the appropriate symbol of the relative degree of difficulty of that particular trail or slope as set forth by subsection (2) of this section. This requirement shall not apply to a slope or trail designated "easiest" which to a skier is substantially visible in its entirety under conditions of ordinary visibility prior to his beginning to ski the same.
(6) The ski area operator shall mark its ski area boundaries in a fashion readily visible to skiers under conditions of ordinary visibility. Where the owner of land adjoining a ski area closes all or part of his land and so advises the ski area operator, such portions of the boundary shall be signed as required by paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of this section. This requirement shall not apply in heavily wooded areas or other nonskiable terrain. Effective July 1, 2006 Page 4 of 7
(7) The ski area operator shall mark hydrants, water pipes, and all other man-made structures on slopes and trails which are not readily visible to skiers under conditions of ordinary visibility from a distance of at least one hundred feet and shall adequately and appropriately cover such obstructions with a shock-absorbent material that will lessen injuries. Any type of marker shall be sufficient, including but not limited to wooden poles, flags, or signs, if the marker is visible from a distance of one hundred feet and if the marker itself does not constitute a serious hazard to skiers. Variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design or snowmaking or grooming operations, including but not
SKI SAFETY ACT
limited to roads and catwalks or other terrain modifications, are not man-made structures, as that term is used in this article.
(8) (a) Each ski area operator shall post and maintain signs which contain the warning notice specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8). Such signs shall be placed in a clearly visible location at the ski area where the lift tickets and ski school lessons are sold and in such a position to be recognizable as a sign to skiers proceeding to the uphill loading point of each base area lift. Each sign shall be no smaller than three feet by three feet. Each sign shall be white with black and red letters as specified in this paragraph (a). The words "WARNING" shall appear on the sign in red letters. The warning notice specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8) shall appear on the sign in black letters, with each letter to be a minimum of one inch in height.
(b) Every ski lift ticket sold or made available for sale to skiers by any ski area operator shall contain in clearly readable print the warning notice specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8).
(c) The signs described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (8) and the lift tickets described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8) shall contain the following warning notice:
WARNING
Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including: Changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees; collisions with natural objects, man-made objects, or other skiers; variations in terrain; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities.
33-44-108. Ski area operators - additional duties.
(1) Any motorized snow-grooming vehicle shall be equipped with a light visible at any time the vehicle is moving on or in the vicinity of a ski slope or trail.
(2) Whenever maintenance equipment is being employed to maintain or groom any ski slope or trail while such ski slope or trail is open to the public, the ski area operator shall place or cause to be placed a conspicuous notice to that effect at or near the top of that ski slope or trail. This requirement shall not apply to maintenance equipment transiting to or from a grooming project.
(3) All snowmobiles operated on the ski slopes or trails of a ski area shall be equipped with at least the following: One lighted headlamp, one lighted red tail lamp, a brake system maintained in operable condition, and a fluorescent flag at least forty square inches mounted at least six feet above the bottom of the tracks.
(4) The ski area operator shall have no duty arising out of its status as a ski area operator to any skier skiing beyond the area boundaries marked as required by section 33-44-107 (6).
(5) The ski area operator, upon finding a person skiing in a careless and reckless manner, may revoke that person's skiing privileges. This subsection (5) shall not be construed to create an affirmative duty on the part of the ski area operator to protect skiers from their own or from another skier's carelessness or recklessness.
33-44-109. Duties of skiers - penalties.
(1) Each skier solely has the responsibility for knowing the range of his own ability to negotiate any ski slope or trail and to ski within the limits of such ability. Each skier expressly accepts and assumes the risk of and all legal responsibility for any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing; except that a skier is not precluded under this article from suing another skier for any injury to person or property resulting from such other skier's acts or omissions. Notwithstanding any provision of law or statute to the contrary, the risk of a skier/skier collision is neither an inherent risk nor a risk assumed by a skier in an action by one skier against another.
Effective July 1, 2006 Page 5 of 7 SKI SAFETY ACT
(2) Each skier has the duty to maintain control of his speed and course at all times when skiing and to maintain a proper lookout so as to be able to avoid other skiers and objects. However, the primary duty shall be on the person skiing downhill to avoid collision with any person or objects below him.
(3) No skier shall ski on a ski slope or trail that has been posted as "Closed" pursuant to section 33-44-107 (2) (e) and (4).
(4) Each skier shall stay clear of snow-grooming equipment, all vehicles, lift towers, signs, and any other equipment on the ski slopes and trails.
(5) Each skier has the duty to heed all posted information and other warnings and to refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of the skier or others. Each skier shall be presumed to have seen and understood all information posted in accordance with this article near base area lifts, on the passenger tramways, and on such ski slopes or trails as he is skiing. Under conditions of decreased visibility, the duty is on the skier to locate and ascertain the meaning of all signs posted in accordance with sections 33-44-106 and 33-44-107.
(6) Each ski or snowboard used by a skier while skiing shall be equipped with a strap or other device capable of stopping the ski or snowboard should the ski or snowboard become unattached from the skier. This requirement shall not apply to cross country skis.
(7) No skier shall cross the uphill track of a J-bar, T-bar, platter pull, or rope tow except at locations designated by the operator; nor shall a skier place any object in such an uphill track.
(8) Before beginning to ski from a stationary position or before entering a ski slope or trail from the side, the skier shall have the duty of avoiding moving skiers already on the ski slope or trail.
(9) No person shall move uphill on any passenger tramway or use any ski slope or trail while such person's ability to do so is impaired by the consumption of alcohol or by the use of any controlled substance, as defined in section 12-22-303 (7), C.R.S., or other drug or while such person is under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance, as defined in section 12-22-303 (7), C.R.S., or other drug.
(10) No skier involved in a collision with another skier or person in which an injury results shall leave the vicinity of the collision before giving his or her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the collision; in which event the person so leaving the scene of the collision shall give his or her name and current address as required by this subsection (10) after securing such aid.
(11) No person shall knowingly enter upon public or private lands from an adjoining ski area when such land has been closed by its owner and so posted by the owner or by the ski area operator pursuant to section 33-44-107 (6).
(12) Any person who violates any of the provisions of subsection (3), (9), (10), or (11) of this section is guilty of a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.
33-44-110. Competition and freestyle terrain.
(1) The ski area operator shall, prior to use of any portion of the area made available by the ski area operator, allow each competitor an opportunity to reasonably visually inspect the course, venue, or area.
(2) The competitor shall be held to assume the risk of all course, venue, or area conditions, including, but not limited to, weather and snow conditions; obstacles; course or feature location, construction, or layout; freestyle terrain configuration and conditions; and other courses, layouts, or configurations of the area to be used. No liability shall attach to a ski area operator for injury or death to any competitor caused by course, venue, or area conditions that a visual inspection should have revealed or by collisions with other competitors. Effective July 1, 2006 Page 6 of 7
33-44-111. Statute of limitation.
SKI SAFETY ACT
All actions against any ski area operator or its employees brought to recover damages for injury to person or property caused by the maintenance, supervision, or operation of a passenger tramway or a ski area shall be brought within two years after the claim for relief arises and not thereafter.
33-44-112. Limitation on actions for injury resulting from inherent dangers and risks of skiing.
Notwithstanding any judicial decision or any other law or statute to the contrary, including but not limited to sections 13-21-111 and 13-21-111.7, C.R.S., no skier may make any claim against or recover from any ski area operator for injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing.
33-44-113. Limitation of liability.
The total amount of damages which may be recovered from a ski area operator by a skier who uses a ski area for the purpose of skiing or for the purpose of sliding downhill on snow or ice on skis, a toboggan, a sled, a tube, a ski-bob, a snowboard, or any other device and who is injured, excluding those associated with an injury occurring to a passenger while riding on a passenger tramway, shall not exceed one million dollars, present value, including any derivative claim by any other claimant, which shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars, present value, and including any claim attributable to noneconomic loss or injury, as defined in sections 13-21-102.5 (2), C.R.S., whether past damages, future damages, or a combination of both, which shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars. If, upon good cause shown, the court determines that the present value of the amount of lost past earnings and the present value of lost future earnings, or the present value of past medical and other health care costs and the present value of the amount of future medical and other health care costs, or both, when added to the present value of other past damages and the present value of other future damages, would exceed such limitation and that the application of such limitation would be unfair, the court may award damages in excess of the limitation equal to the present value of additional future damages, but only for the loss of such excess future earnings, or such excess future medical and other health care costs, or both. For purposes of this section, "present value" has the same meaning as that set forth in section 13-64-202 (7), C.R.S., and "past damages" has the same meaning as that set forth in section 13-64-202 (6), C.R.S. The existence of the limitations and exceptions thereto provided in this section shall not be disclosed to a jury.
33-44-114. Inconsistent law or statute.
Insofar as any provision of law or statute is inconsistent with the provisions of this article, this article controls.
Altitude Sickness
Avoid High Altitude Illness
It's usually a minor problem, is almost totally preventable and can be significantly minimized by following these simple guidelines from the Colorado Altitude Research Institute:
Exercise in moderation.
Drink more water than usual. When you combine altitude with physical exertion, you need to drink before you get thirsty.
Eat food high in carbohydrates, such as grains, pasta, fruits and vegetables and avoid salty foods.
Limit alcohol consumption. It's tempting to party the evening you roll into a ski town. However, drinking alcohol and cheating yourself on sleep the night before you ski is a big mistake. Use common sense.
Wear water-resistant, layered clothing that can be removed or added as weather changes (i. e., long underwear, turtleneck, sweater, waterproof jacket and pants, nylon socks, glove liners, waterproof gloves, winter hat, sunglasses and goggles).
Be sun savvy. Although Colorado tops the list of sunshine states, our sunshine is so intense that skiing without sunscreen or protective eyewear is not recommended. Ultraviolet rays are more powerful at higher elevations. Since resorts are over two miles above sea level, you will need goggles and/or sunglasses that have UV protection. Also, regardless of your skin color or complexion, everyone needs to wear sunscreen, even on overcast days when ultraviolet rays still penetrate cloud cover. Go for at least 15 SPF and apply several times a day. Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
It's usually a minor problem, is almost totally preventable and can be significantly minimized by following these simple guidelines from the Colorado Altitude Research Institute:
Exercise in moderation.
Drink more water than usual. When you combine altitude with physical exertion, you need to drink before you get thirsty.
Eat food high in carbohydrates, such as grains, pasta, fruits and vegetables and avoid salty foods.
Limit alcohol consumption. It's tempting to party the evening you roll into a ski town. However, drinking alcohol and cheating yourself on sleep the night before you ski is a big mistake. Use common sense.
Wear water-resistant, layered clothing that can be removed or added as weather changes (i. e., long underwear, turtleneck, sweater, waterproof jacket and pants, nylon socks, glove liners, waterproof gloves, winter hat, sunglasses and goggles).
Be sun savvy. Although Colorado tops the list of sunshine states, our sunshine is so intense that skiing without sunscreen or protective eyewear is not recommended. Ultraviolet rays are more powerful at higher elevations. Since resorts are over two miles above sea level, you will need goggles and/or sunglasses that have UV protection. Also, regardless of your skin color or complexion, everyone needs to wear sunscreen, even on overcast days when ultraviolet rays still penetrate cloud cover. Go for at least 15 SPF and apply several times a day. Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
Your Responsibility Code
The National Ski Areas Association established "Your Responsibility Code" in 1966 as a code of ethics for all skiers on the mountain. Today, the code reflects not only skier safety, but snowboarder and lift safety as well.
Ultimately, safe skiing and snowboarding on the mountain is each person's responsibility. Following "Your Responsibility Code" will help all skiers and snowboarders have a safer mountain experience.
Your Responsibility Code
Safety on the slopes is everyone's responsibility. Ski safely-not only for yourself, but for others as well.
Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid objects.
People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
Do not stop where you obstruct the trail or are not visible from above.
Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, yield to others.
Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
Observe all posted signs and warnings.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Prior to using any lift, you must know how to load, ride, and unload safely.
Ultimately, safe skiing and snowboarding on the mountain is each person's responsibility. Following "Your Responsibility Code" will help all skiers and snowboarders have a safer mountain experience.
Your Responsibility Code
Safety on the slopes is everyone's responsibility. Ski safely-not only for yourself, but for others as well.
Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid objects.
People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
Do not stop where you obstruct the trail or are not visible from above.
Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, yield to others.
Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
Observe all posted signs and warnings.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Prior to using any lift, you must know how to load, ride, and unload safely.
Got Aflac?
Active Ski & Snow Boarders may want to consider Aflac's Accident plan. It pays cash to the insured if they suffer an injury. Benefits vary based on the type of injury and treatment received.
Aflac plans are inexpensive and can really come in handy if an accident happens.
Aflac plans are inexpensive and can really come in handy if an accident happens.
Donjoy Brace
The Donjoy Armor is the strongest, off-the-shelf ACL knee brace on the market and is designed for active people seeking ligament protection, excellent fit, and superb comfort. This model is constructed out of lightweight 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum for superb strength. The Armor incoporates a patented Four Points of Leverage design to provide protection during extreme sports, as well as, for reconstructed or ACL deficient knee. It's routinely used by members of the U.S. Ski Team and the U.S. Snowboarding Team. This ACL brace is available in a standard regular length model, as well as, a ski model for shorter individuals or for use with ski boots.
Geared for serious athletes, the Donjoy Armor can be customized below - choose between the "Action" or "Ski" versions for the appropriate length of brace, as well as, the type of hinge to produce a product that can be used for everything from everyday activities to full contact sports.
Geared for serious athletes, the Donjoy Armor can be customized below - choose between the "Action" or "Ski" versions for the appropriate length of brace, as well as, the type of hinge to produce a product that can be used for everything from everyday activities to full contact sports.
ACL injuries on the rise
The most likely part of the body to get injured is the knee which accounts for some 45% of skiing injuries. Although general injury rates have decreased over the last fifteen years severe knee injuries such as ACL ruptures have increased 172% over the last 15 years.
Who is more likely to be injured?
Research suggests that younger, lighter and less experienced skiers are at highest risk of injury. Beginners are thought to be 33% more likely to be injured than the more experienced skier. Women are more likely to sustain knee injuries whilst men are more likely to injure their head or shoulder.
Common Skiing Injuries:
ACL injuries (anterior cruciate ligament)
The most common knee injury seen in skiing is the anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Skiers who have had a previous knee injury are more likely to sustain a more severe knee injury during the season. Skiers who are ACL deficient or have laxity in the ligament are three times more likely to injure their knee than the skier who has undergone reconstructive surgery.
Individuals who have undergone reconstructive surgery with the semitendinosus tendon technique are more likely to suffer a re-rupture than those who underwent the bone-patella-tendon-bone technique.
When is surgery indicated?
The decision to operate is dependant on the following:
The age of the patient.
The degree of instability
Associated abnormalities such as medial collateral ligament tear or meniscus tear.
Whether or not the patient performs sports requiring pivoting on the leg.
The patients occupation.
Any patient whose knee gives way under activities of daily living is likely to need reconstructive surgery.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries are less common than knee injuries (7). AC joint separations, anterior dislocations, rotator cuff injury and shoulder contusions are the most common. It is thought that many minor rotator cuff injuries are unreported as medical attention is not sought immediately.
AC joint separations
This is a sprain on the acromio-clavicular joint at the shoulder. This injury can range in severity from a little bit of pain to a complete rupture of the joint where you might get a lump where the collar bone sticks up out of the neck. It is caused by falling onto the shoulder of onto an outstretched arm.
Anterior shoulder dislocations (dislocated shoulder)
Shoulder dislocations are also caused by falling onto an outstretched arm. Rehabilitation usually follows a three phase treatment plan:
Phase 1 involves rest, immobilization and ice or cold therapy. The period of immobilization may vary from three to six weeks. During this time isometric strengthening exercises for the wrist, elbow and hand may be done if pain allows.
The goal of phase 2 is to give the skier pain free internal shoulder rotation, elevation and a small amount of external rotation.
In phase 3 strengthening of the internal shoulder rotator muscles is emphasised but with the joint kept below horizontal to reduce soft tissue irritation and risk of re-injury.
Full recovery from an anterior dislocation can take from 6 weeks to 6 months.
Skiers Thumb / Thumb sprain
Injuries to the thumb make up an estimated 40% of all injuries to the upper extremity with the ulna collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint (known as skiers thumb) being responsible for the majority.
Skiers thumb is caused by forced abduction and hyperextension of the joint. In skiing this is the result of a fall whilst holding onto the ski pole which drives the thumb into the snow.
Signs and symptoms
Tenderness over the ulna aspect of the thumb on palpation.
The skier may have difficulty grabbing things or pinching between thumb and index finger.
Treatment depends on severity with complete ruptures requiring surgery. A partial ligament tear may be treated with four to five weeks of cast immobilization followed by strengthening. A minor sprain may be splinted with strengthening exercises to begin as soon as pain allows.
An excellent but simple taping technique can be applied to support the MCP joint and prevent injury or further injury.
Preventing skiing injuries
Skiing holidays are not cheap. To invest a great deal of time and money in the experience only to be injured on day one does not make sense. There are a number of things that both the experienced and beginner skier can do to reduce the risk of injury on the slopes.
Skier ability is an important factor. Attending ski lessons can reduce the risk by up to 50%.
Proper equipment and equipment maintenance is essential. Significant advances in boot and binding design with quick release systems there is no fool proof kit. Bindings should be checked and adjusted regularly by trained ski mechanics and boots should be fitted by skiing technicians who can advise on the correct equipment for the individual skier. Q-angle, high arches, wide feet, varus knee deformity could all influence the choice of ski boot.
Biomechanical problems of the foot such as over-pronation can increase injury risk. During skiing, control is maintained by pronating the foot to edge the downhill ski into the slope. A skier with biomechanical abnormality may already have their foot pronated flat in the boot and will therefore internally rotate the lower limb to have the desired effect. This will lead to a valgus knee position resulting in inefficient skiing, fatigue and medial knee pain. Orthosis can be used to correct foot biomechanics in the boot.
Selecting the appropriate difficulty of slope on the mountain is important. A uniform code exists with green being easiest, then blue and black for intermediate to advanced skiers. A double black diamond exists for advanced skiers only!!
Skier fatigue is often a factor and investment in a proper preparation and conditioning before undertaking a skiing holiday can prove worth while. Some gyms and leisure clubs may run specific classes to prepare for skiing holidays. Warming up before skiing is also important. A typical warm up may consist of a short jog to raise heart rate, followed by stretches for the hamstrings, iliotibial band, quadriceps and calf muscles.
Who is more likely to be injured?
Research suggests that younger, lighter and less experienced skiers are at highest risk of injury. Beginners are thought to be 33% more likely to be injured than the more experienced skier. Women are more likely to sustain knee injuries whilst men are more likely to injure their head or shoulder.
Common Skiing Injuries:
ACL injuries (anterior cruciate ligament)
The most common knee injury seen in skiing is the anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Skiers who have had a previous knee injury are more likely to sustain a more severe knee injury during the season. Skiers who are ACL deficient or have laxity in the ligament are three times more likely to injure their knee than the skier who has undergone reconstructive surgery.
Individuals who have undergone reconstructive surgery with the semitendinosus tendon technique are more likely to suffer a re-rupture than those who underwent the bone-patella-tendon-bone technique.
When is surgery indicated?
The decision to operate is dependant on the following:
The age of the patient.
The degree of instability
Associated abnormalities such as medial collateral ligament tear or meniscus tear.
Whether or not the patient performs sports requiring pivoting on the leg.
The patients occupation.
Any patient whose knee gives way under activities of daily living is likely to need reconstructive surgery.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries are less common than knee injuries (7). AC joint separations, anterior dislocations, rotator cuff injury and shoulder contusions are the most common. It is thought that many minor rotator cuff injuries are unreported as medical attention is not sought immediately.
AC joint separations
This is a sprain on the acromio-clavicular joint at the shoulder. This injury can range in severity from a little bit of pain to a complete rupture of the joint where you might get a lump where the collar bone sticks up out of the neck. It is caused by falling onto the shoulder of onto an outstretched arm.
Anterior shoulder dislocations (dislocated shoulder)
Shoulder dislocations are also caused by falling onto an outstretched arm. Rehabilitation usually follows a three phase treatment plan:
Phase 1 involves rest, immobilization and ice or cold therapy. The period of immobilization may vary from three to six weeks. During this time isometric strengthening exercises for the wrist, elbow and hand may be done if pain allows.
The goal of phase 2 is to give the skier pain free internal shoulder rotation, elevation and a small amount of external rotation.
In phase 3 strengthening of the internal shoulder rotator muscles is emphasised but with the joint kept below horizontal to reduce soft tissue irritation and risk of re-injury.
Full recovery from an anterior dislocation can take from 6 weeks to 6 months.
Skiers Thumb / Thumb sprain
Injuries to the thumb make up an estimated 40% of all injuries to the upper extremity with the ulna collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint (known as skiers thumb) being responsible for the majority.
Skiers thumb is caused by forced abduction and hyperextension of the joint. In skiing this is the result of a fall whilst holding onto the ski pole which drives the thumb into the snow.
Signs and symptoms
Tenderness over the ulna aspect of the thumb on palpation.
The skier may have difficulty grabbing things or pinching between thumb and index finger.
Treatment depends on severity with complete ruptures requiring surgery. A partial ligament tear may be treated with four to five weeks of cast immobilization followed by strengthening. A minor sprain may be splinted with strengthening exercises to begin as soon as pain allows.
An excellent but simple taping technique can be applied to support the MCP joint and prevent injury or further injury.
Preventing skiing injuries
Skiing holidays are not cheap. To invest a great deal of time and money in the experience only to be injured on day one does not make sense. There are a number of things that both the experienced and beginner skier can do to reduce the risk of injury on the slopes.
Skier ability is an important factor. Attending ski lessons can reduce the risk by up to 50%.
Proper equipment and equipment maintenance is essential. Significant advances in boot and binding design with quick release systems there is no fool proof kit. Bindings should be checked and adjusted regularly by trained ski mechanics and boots should be fitted by skiing technicians who can advise on the correct equipment for the individual skier. Q-angle, high arches, wide feet, varus knee deformity could all influence the choice of ski boot.
Biomechanical problems of the foot such as over-pronation can increase injury risk. During skiing, control is maintained by pronating the foot to edge the downhill ski into the slope. A skier with biomechanical abnormality may already have their foot pronated flat in the boot and will therefore internally rotate the lower limb to have the desired effect. This will lead to a valgus knee position resulting in inefficient skiing, fatigue and medial knee pain. Orthosis can be used to correct foot biomechanics in the boot.
Selecting the appropriate difficulty of slope on the mountain is important. A uniform code exists with green being easiest, then blue and black for intermediate to advanced skiers. A double black diamond exists for advanced skiers only!!
Skier fatigue is often a factor and investment in a proper preparation and conditioning before undertaking a skiing holiday can prove worth while. Some gyms and leisure clubs may run specific classes to prepare for skiing holidays. Warming up before skiing is also important. A typical warm up may consist of a short jog to raise heart rate, followed by stretches for the hamstrings, iliotibial band, quadriceps and calf muscles.
Spring Skiing Safety Tips
With warmer weather, sunny skies and fewer crowds, many people say spring is the time to be on the mountain. However, the conditions during the spring can be dicey, and skiers need to be aware of some potential hidden dangers. Here are some safety reminders for anyone hitting the slopes late season.
Protecting Yourself
Avoid Sunburn The intensity of the sun at high altitudes, combined with reflection off the snow, can cause sunburn -- fast.
Prevent Abrasions and Lacerations Exposed skin may feel great while skiing, but falls on spring snow can cause scrapes and cuts.
Prevent Dehydration Regardless of the time of year, it's important to drink plenty of fluids when engaging in physical activity.
Know How to Layer Clothing Dressing for spring skiing can be challenging as the temperature can change drastically throughout the day. Knowing how to layer your clothing can keep you warm and dry, or cool and dry, depending upon the conditions. Slushy conditions mean you may want to wear something waterproof, as well.
Protect Your EyesThe glare from the snow is certainly something to protect your eyes from, as it can be very intense. Learn what sort of lenses are best for skiing.
Sports Sunglasses
Ski Goggles
Prevent Altitude Illness If you are traveling to the mountains from low elevations, you may feel symptoms of altitude sickness, including dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, fatigue, and weakness. Recognizing and treating your symptoms quickly may prevent a ruined vacation. Drink plenty of water and get lots of sleep. Also See: Preventing Altitude Illness During Active Vacations.
Shield Yourself from the ElementsEven though the temperatures are warming up, you need to beware of the possibility of cold weather emergencies, such as frostbite and hypothermia.
Be Wary of Additional RisksExperts attribute the increase of head and spinal cord injuries on the ski hill to increased speed and jumping among boarders and skiers.
Trail ConditionsAfternoon slush can freeze overnight and create a top layer that is frozen solid, often called "boilerplate." These conditions can cause problems for novice skiers and aren't that much fun for experts, either. Once the temperatures increase, this starts to soften. Mountain conditions late in the day can become slushy. Melting snow also means that once hidden obstacles start showing up. You need to be more vigilant and watch for exposed ground, rocks, trees and other hazards. Avoid skiing when snow is frozen solid or melting into puddle. Both types of conditions can lead to injuries.
Common Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries
ACL Injuries and Skiing
Knee Injuries
Head Injuries (Concussions)
Wrist Injuries
Backcountry Skiing and Boarding SafetyIn the mountains, there is a danger of avalanche any time of the year. But spring brings conditions that are often ideal for an avalanche. The warm afternoons soften, loosen and can create snow slides. To minimize your risk of getting trapped, always check the latest avalanche reports and weather forecast in the area where you'll be skiing before you go.
Protecting Yourself
Avoid Sunburn The intensity of the sun at high altitudes, combined with reflection off the snow, can cause sunburn -- fast.
Prevent Abrasions and Lacerations Exposed skin may feel great while skiing, but falls on spring snow can cause scrapes and cuts.
Prevent Dehydration Regardless of the time of year, it's important to drink plenty of fluids when engaging in physical activity.
Know How to Layer Clothing Dressing for spring skiing can be challenging as the temperature can change drastically throughout the day. Knowing how to layer your clothing can keep you warm and dry, or cool and dry, depending upon the conditions. Slushy conditions mean you may want to wear something waterproof, as well.
Protect Your EyesThe glare from the snow is certainly something to protect your eyes from, as it can be very intense. Learn what sort of lenses are best for skiing.
Sports Sunglasses
Ski Goggles
Prevent Altitude Illness If you are traveling to the mountains from low elevations, you may feel symptoms of altitude sickness, including dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, fatigue, and weakness. Recognizing and treating your symptoms quickly may prevent a ruined vacation. Drink plenty of water and get lots of sleep. Also See: Preventing Altitude Illness During Active Vacations.
Shield Yourself from the ElementsEven though the temperatures are warming up, you need to beware of the possibility of cold weather emergencies, such as frostbite and hypothermia.
Be Wary of Additional RisksExperts attribute the increase of head and spinal cord injuries on the ski hill to increased speed and jumping among boarders and skiers.
Trail ConditionsAfternoon slush can freeze overnight and create a top layer that is frozen solid, often called "boilerplate." These conditions can cause problems for novice skiers and aren't that much fun for experts, either. Once the temperatures increase, this starts to soften. Mountain conditions late in the day can become slushy. Melting snow also means that once hidden obstacles start showing up. You need to be more vigilant and watch for exposed ground, rocks, trees and other hazards. Avoid skiing when snow is frozen solid or melting into puddle. Both types of conditions can lead to injuries.
Common Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries
ACL Injuries and Skiing
Knee Injuries
Head Injuries (Concussions)
Wrist Injuries
Backcountry Skiing and Boarding SafetyIn the mountains, there is a danger of avalanche any time of the year. But spring brings conditions that are often ideal for an avalanche. The warm afternoons soften, loosen and can create snow slides. To minimize your risk of getting trapped, always check the latest avalanche reports and weather forecast in the area where you'll be skiing before you go.
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