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Travel Health: Slope Smarts
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The safety rules every winter sportsman (and woman) should know
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BY HANNAH WALLACE
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The good news is that more American skiers and snowboarders are wearing helmets than ever before (57 percent, according to the National Ski Areas Association). The bad news? A helmet can’t save you from everything. Witness pro snowboarder Kevin Pearce, who suffered severe brain trauma in late 2009 even while wearing the proper gear. Play it safe by following these measures recommended by Jonathan Finnoff, co-chair of the Sports Concussion Program at Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic.
KEEP A CLEAR HEAD
“A lot of people start out at sea level, go on vacation at a high altitude and drink a bunch of beer at lunch,” cautions Finnoff. This can result in dehydration, disinhibition and slow reaction times.
STAY TUNED
Finnoff recommends having your bindings checked at a ski shop once a season. “If they’re too loose, they could pop off and hit someone or cause you to crash, and if they’re too tight, you might tear a knee ligament.”
EXERCISE CONTROL
Skiing or snowboarding out of control at high speeds often leads to multiple traumas, according to Finnoff. “Those are the people who get injured,” he says—even when they’re wearing a helmet.
LEARN THE CODE
The National Ski Areas Association’s seven-point “responsibility code” (nsaa.org) lists the important rules of the slopes, such as where (and where not) to stop, and who gets the right-of-way (everyone in front of you).
HELMET PICKS
Before you buy a helmet, make sure it
conforms to the American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard
F2040. And remember: These things have
a shelf life; check the manufacturer’s
recommendations for your helmet’s life
expectancy. Todd Sexton, general manager
at the US Outdoor Store in Portland, OR,
recommends these three models:
1. The Giro G10 is a stylish, breathable
ski helmet with a high-tech ventilation
system that pulls cool air in and pumps
hot air out, plus an impact-absorbing EPS
liner. giro.com; $130
2. Bern Watts is a good helmet for both
snowboarding and skiing, with its ventilated
visor lid, goggle clips and snap-in knit liner
for cold days. bernunlimited.com; $99
3. The Smith Optics Vantage looks like a
skier’s helmet but works equally well for
snowboarders. The hybrid shell construction
is both durable and light; front and rear
climate controls make it easy to cool down
while riding the lift (open the back vents
and close the front ones). smithoptics.com;
$180
NOTE: Information may have changed since publication.
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Published: Winter 2010-2011
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Photo: Corbis
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