This year’s winter is in full swing and it’s time for our favorite winter sports! 

What we always say though, is that in order to enjoy them at full, you should take the necessary health and safety precautions. The most important of them are waiting for you in the next paragraphs and will be extremely important - especially if you’re a beginner at snowboarding, skating, or skiing.
 

Why are safety measures in winter sports important

Winter sports give you a sense of freedom. They take you to new, breathtakingly beautiful places. They keep you fit and excited and because of the toughness of the weather, they make the blood rush and the adrenaline spike up. The best thing - although not very well known, is there is a big variety of sports you can practice when the snow outside starts piling up! And we will prove it to you, letting you know all the safety precautions you should take in order for you to enjoy them.

From the first moment you step into any winter sports equipment, you start learning quite a few very important safety measurements - both for the way to practice and how to keep yourself safe out there in the open while doing it. The nature of these varies between the different sports - skiing, snowboarding, skating, hockey, ice climbing, and many more. This is why you should choose your new addiction and learn all the rules so you can keep yourself - and the other parties with whom you practice, safe.

But let’s get to the point - why are safety measures important when you practice winter sports? First of all, you need to know how to avoid injuries and protect yourself from them in advance. And second - to know how to stay safe or signal for an emergency in case of one. Trust us - you will be thankful you know these tips if you ever come to need them. And we wish you to never have the must to have to.

What safety measures should you take when skiing and snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding are two of the most popular winter sports that millions of people practice around the world. There are hundreds of destinations in high, beautiful mountains with meters of snow depth covering them that await for skiing enthusiasts to try them out.

Just as well, there are more than a dozen styles of skiing: downhill, backcountry, alpine touring, cross-country, powder, freestyle, and a lot more. Some of them are a combination of two or more original styles and others are named differently in some places on Earth. Each of them has its specifics in equipment and/or way you should ski. And that is only part of the beauty of it. This is why as much as you practice and ski you will always have something new to try and learn.

Pretty much the same applies for snowboarding except the snowboarding styles are called in different ways. So what are the safety measures you should take when practicing these two most popular winter sports in the world?

 

What are the general rules?

First of all, let’s start with the right posture. It is the way you should move and keep your balance. Most importantly - the way you should fall. It might sound strange but this is one of the most essential things - especially if you’re going down a slope very fast and something unexpected happens. Knowing how to fall safely might save you from breaking a bone or even having a deadly injury. Listen closely to your instructor and remember his words - they can save your life at any moment out there in the wild.

 

Slope rules for health and safety

Second of all, always, and this is very important so we will repeat it, always, choose a slope that corresponds with your level of experience in skiing and snowboarding. This is especially true and obligatory if you’re a beginner in skiing and/or snowboarding. The slopes are usually color marked so take the time to explore what color goes with which lever so you don’t suddenly appear somewhere you’re not supposed to be. This is important because in that case, you might endanger yourself as much as everybody else skiing there at the same time. Remember: skiers and snowboarders in front of you have the right to go first. And just like driving - you should keep a safe and well-measured distance.

In addition: always stay on the marked path and don’t wander off. Most accidents happen in the wild because of snow that has not been proved to be safe for skiing or slopes that are not guarded or regulated.

 

What gear should we choose to be safe?

In third place but definitely as important as the others, you should consider investing in good gear. And we’re not talking about clothes - those should be suitable for layering so you don’t catch frostbite. Our advice: choose good quality skis, suitable for your ski style, thick and comfortable boots, bindings, and poles - preferably fitted precisely for you. Add a good helmet for skiing in the mix that fits well and be sure to fasten it well when you go skiing. This way you will get a very good set of gear you will use long and it will protect you from accidents and frostbite. 

Additional safety recommendations 

Additional safety equipment, which is more for comfort, is something that you can cover your eyes with. Preferably this should be a pair of goggles that will be a good size for you and with added sun protection but if you don’t feel comfortable with them you can always wear a pair of sunglasses. Keep in mind you will probably lose them more than once and break them - also more than a few times.

It is obligatory to always have some technology with you that will help you be found if there is an accident - preferably a satellite phone or at least - a mobile one with their battery full and an additional one that can survive in low temperatures too. Speaking of this - never ski or snowboard alone. 

Skating and what precautions you should take when practicing

Skating is another very popular winter sport a lot of people love to practice - both in the cold and in the warmer seasons when there are indoor rinks open. The great thing about skating is it is fairly easy to learn to do it in a non-professional way and even learn a few simple tricks on the ice.

Ice-skating is magical but it can also cause injuries just as much as other winter sports. A lot of the other rules we stated earlier on are valid here too. Learn how to fall and when you do, always keep your head high and away from the ice and your limbs - away from the blades of the skates. Most of the time amateur ones can’t cause a big injury but professional ones are really sharp. As well as that injury depends on the speed and don’t forget if you’re at an open public rink you’re skating with strangers that are not professionals and might not have the fastest or best reaction to you falling. And talking of that - when you fall, be fast to get up! This is one of the most important safety measures. 

Next on the list is the gear. Ice skating seems like a sport that does not need a lot of gear, but if you want to get into it seriously, even in a non-professional way, you should be ready for a lot of falling, so you can protect yourself with some wrist guards, knee and elbow protectors (pads) as well as a good helmet. You also need gloves - at least two pairs so you can change them if you get them wet from the ice. 

We won’t forget to speak about the skates themselves. You should get ones that are, if not fitted for you, then fitted as closely commercially as possible. Take in mind what kind of clothing you will be wearing so they will not be okay in the shop and hurt your feet on the rink. This can literally ruin your ice-skating experience and cause injuries such as sprained ankles, stretched tendons, and muscles, and at best: get painful blisters.

A good thing you should also remember is you shouldn’t skate alone if you’re doing it outdoors - on a pond, lake, or even on a public free night rink for example. Truth be told, we do not advise you to skate on any unsupervised ice surface that has not been tested by a professional that can clarify it as safe. Either way, this way, if something happens and you injure yourself, if you’re not alone, you will be able to get help in a short time without getting frostbite or hypothermia.

 

Additional safety measures for winter sports 

There are so many winter sports and with most of them, a lot of the rules we already stated can be applied. This being said, always speak to a professional about what you should consider before going dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice climbing, snow tubing, or whichever else winter sport activity you choose for your preferred winter activity. 

The best thing you can do is not dive into the sport immediately and head first, but take some time to exercise at home or in the gym so you can get into shape before you get into the wild. In addition: warm-up for a few minutes before getting on the preferred gear. 

It is a good idea to check your health condition with your doctor - especially if you have some medical history that might prevent you from practicing your favorite sport. Some people who have problems with their heart and their cardiovascular system are advised to not engage in these kinds of activities as well as some with previous body injuries.

What was the most useful advice you got from us? What would you add to the list? Be sure to tell us in the comments or on our social media channels!