Dangers on the snow are thus avoided

Is the ski and snowboard season underway? It’s easy to get caught up in enthusiasm. But in order not to ruin the first weekends on the snow or, worse, the whole ski year, it is better to follow some rules, valid for everyone.

Winter sports lovers, more and more numerous, can not wait to find themselves immersed in nature and snow to practice their favorite discipline.

And there are those who have been doing it for years and already have considerable experience and newbies. And, then, those who, even if not entirely experienced, believe they can still afford the thrill of extreme slopes and high speeds.

For the latter the dangers are greater than for others, but an unexpected event or an injury can happen to everyone. So here’s what is important to know before trying your hand at snowy slopes.

Lack of training

As with any other sport, you should not face winter activities without good physical preparation.

Skiing and snowboarding put the lower limbs to the test in particular, which, if not adequately strengthened, are not able to protect bones and joints from trauma, sometimes even serious.

Physical efficiency is therefore essential to face the snow with a certain tranquility; Otherwise we risk, at the first unexpected, not only to hurt ourselves, but also to hurt some unfortunate person who is on our trajectory.

Therefore, in the weeks preceding the sporting activity

• do a constant pre-ski gymnastics,
• perform stretching exercises, especially for the legs.

And when it comes to going to the long-awaited slopes, remember to

• warm up the muscles before making the first descent (with cold muscles it is easier to sprains and contractures),
• approach the activity gradually,
• always consider the difficulty of the slopes taking into account your preparation,
• Do not get carried away by friends: stop at the first signs of fatigue.

The intense activity on the slopes quickly depletes the energy reserves in the leg muscles and this can compromise muscle coordination, with loss of control of the skis (or board).

Speed, perhaps too high for one’s abilities, does the rest.

Lack of technique and experience

Safety starts with learning. Even the most daring or physically trained should avoid “throwing themselves down the track” without having first mastered at least the fundamental techniques.

Not knowing how to stop or bend in all conditions can be a serious danger for oneself and for others.

The lack of experience, then, prevents us from adequately assessing the difficulties and dangers, which are thus underestimated.

Studying the slopes, before trying a descent that may not be within our reach, learning to evaluate your skills, your level of training and following the advice of the most experienced are equally important attitudes to minimize risks.

Distraction can also be a danger. The slopes are now frequented by a large population of skiers and snowboarders, more or less experienced, and the “collision” is lurking.

As is a ditch behind which some pitfall could hide (a stone, outcropping roots, a sapling).

Remember that distraction tends to increase when you are fatigued. So try to stay always present and calmly evaluate what you are doing even at the end of the day, when you tend to think only of the steaming hot chocolate that awaits us.

Inadequate equipment

It’s not a matter of being the latest fashion. Better comfortable boots and suitable for our needs rather than choosing a pair just for the most popular color or brand. Foot pain and/or poor control of skis are a danger.

The same criteria should be used for clothing. Hands and head must be protected with special care. But even the rest of the body, at the risk of looking a bit clumsy, must remain dry and warm. Cold muscles are more exposed to cramps and tears.

And then, pay attention to ski bindings: if not in order or poorly regulated, they can not come off when necessary, causing even serious trauma or, on the contrary, suddenly open on a challenging slope causing dangerous falls.

Knowing how to give up

Heavy snowfall or fog causes loss of orientation and can take even experienced skiers off the piste.

It is therefore essential to know the slopes and ski lifts perfectly; On the contrary, it is better not to ski when visibility is reduced.

In any case, if bad weather catches us off guard, having a device with GPS can be a very valuable help: in these cases it is better to stop and wait for help.

Finally, in any weather, never underestimate the warnings not to ski off-piste. In some conditions, snow cover “cuts” caused by skis or snowboards can cause an avalanche or avalanche to form.