Is Snowboarding More Dangerous Than Skiing?

The two sports have long had a bit of animosity. But a recent study by the National Ski Areas Association found that snowboarding is actually safer than skiing. In fact, it's actually a lot safer! Here are some tips to stay safe on the slopes:

On-piste Snowboarding

The debate over whether snowboarding is more dangerous than skiing has been raging for years. A study carried out by the Rochester Institute of Technology found that skiers are more likely to collide with fixed objects, whereas snowboarders are more likely to be involved in collisions with moving objects. However, advances in ski helmets and bindings have helped to reduce the risks of serious injury.

The biggest disadvantage of snowboarding is that you need to spend more time getting used to it. Learning to snowboard takes longer than learning to ski, but with practice you can learn to make sideways turns, go faster and jump on the mountain. Skiing is much harder to master, and most guides suggest taking lessons on a regular basis to reinforce good technique and prevent bad habits.

In general, snowboarders are more likely to sustain ankle injuries than skiers, because they are more likely to hit jumps, grind rails, and catch big air. However, the most common injury snowboarders sustain is a sprain of the MCL, which is a ligament in the lower leg. In addition, less experienced skiers tend to perform tricks like "pizza-french-frying" - a technique that places undue stress on the MCL. Another common injury is tearing the ACL, which occurs when a knee is hyperextended.

Drag Lifts

Drag lifts are very challenging for snowboarders. Unlike cable cars and chair lifts, drag lifts are harder to get up on and make it difficult to control your board. Because the back foot of the snowboarder is not in the binding, he or she can fall and slide down the lift. This can result in a crash.

Snowboarding injuries are much more severe than injuries from skiing. A snowboarder who mistimes a turn and slides off the lift is at much greater risk of being injured than a skier. In addition, snowboarders are not as quick to release their bindings as skiers do. Injuries to the ankle, knee, or ankle can result in serious complications, so it is important to use proper technique to prevent injuries. One way to prevent injuries is to sit in the middle of the lift so that you do not add weight to one side of the lift.

Drag lifts are more dangerous than chair lifts because snowboarders don't get the opportunity to adjust their positions before being lifted. Skiers can sit in the chairlift without having to take their clothes off, while snowboarders must remove their boots and sit on the ground to reattach their board.

Proper Bindings

If you're thinking about switching sports, consider how bindings affect the risk of injury. Some skiers can suffer from knee injuries if their legs are too far apart. This is because the ski poles can't release at the proper time, which puts tremendous force on the knees. A skier's knee is also vulnerable to injuries caused by twisting. Additionally, snowboarders can suffer from "skiers thumb," where the ski poles press against the thumb during high-impact accidents. However, snowboarders' knees are protected with the appropriate bindings.

Despite these risks, there are many ways to protect your knees. One way is to use step-on bindings. These are easy to use and offer a better connection between the boot and binding. Newer step-on models also feature heel and toe caps to reduce the risk of injury.

A second way to reduce the risk of a snowboarder's knees falling off while riding is to make sure that their snowboard's bindings are tightened. Using a binding with a high release force is also helpful.

Injury Prevention

When taking up snowboarding, it's important to take proper precautions to prevent injuries. The most obvious one is to wear the correct gear. Wearing good knee pads and wearing well-fitting equipment will minimize the risk of injuries. Similarly, snowboarders should eat proper meals. Proper nutrition will help prevent injuries by giving the body the energy it needs to perform the sport.

In addition to proper snowboarding gear, wear certified ski helmets, goggles, and protective wrist guards. The American Society for Testing and Materials has set standards for snowboarding and skiing helmets. The helmets are important since snowboarders tend to fall forward onto their hands, which can cause FOOSH injuries. It is recommended to use a wrist guard when snowboarding and gloves with wrist guards.

Other snowboarding safety measures include wearing wrist guards and helmets, warming up, and board properly according to the terrain. In addition, if you are a beginner, you should take lessons to improve your technique. Moreover, you should take extra care while doing jumps and drops. Injuries to the lower extremities can cause serious problems, especially in elite snowboarders.