Is Snowboarding Dangerous?

For some people hurtling down snow with both feet strapped to a board is stimulating, exciting, and something they don't think twice about doing. Other people have a better preservation instinct, and of course, as you get older, you get a little more cautious. Knowing the risks and potential dangers of snowboarding becomes a factor that you want to weigh up carefully.

Snowboarding is considered less dangerous than skiing but more dangerous than tobogganing. More injuries occur with snowboarding than skiing, but these are less severe and often do not need hospitalization. Upper limb injuries are seen most often in snowboarding.

Many factors contribute to the danger of snowboarding, but safety precautions can mitigate potential accidents.

How Dangerous Is Snowboarding?

Snowboarding involves high speed over snow that can include rough terrain and obstacles. In addition, snowboarders take up the challenge of completing jumps that involve aerial feats while airborne. Understandably this will lead to some injuries.

Snowboarders reach a top speed of 126 mph. Impact from a fall or collision while moving at this speed will result in serious injuries.

Fortunately, statistics have shown that head injuries are rare amongst casual or holiday snowboarders, but they can occur. Professional snowboarders that carry out tricks and maneuvers are much more at risk of head and spinal injury.

What Do Statistics Show About The Danger Of Snowboarding?

A study done by Kathleen Dunn found that snowboarding injuries occurred at a highly variable rate. Reported injuries varied from 3.5 injuries per 1000 snowboarding days to upwards of 40 injuries per 1000 snowboarding days.

The mortality rate for injuries resulting from snowboarding was 0.2 per million snowboarding days. This is a low mortality rate compared to other sports such as American football, rugby, and even cheerleading.

42% of snowboarding injuries required emergency treatment in this report, but only 16% of skiing injuries required immediate medical assistance.

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) detailed a ten-year study that showed that 40.6 people die every year in skiing and snowboarding activities.

During the 2010/2011 snow sports season, 60.5 million ski and snowboarding days were logged. During this time, there were 47 fatalities, of which 31 were ski-related accidents, and 16 were associated with snowboarding.

During this same 2010/2011 period, there were 60 catastrophic sports injuries. Catastrophic injuries result in paralysis, head trauma, and other life-threatening injuries. 36 serious injuries resulted from ski accidents and 24 from snowboarding accidents.

In a study done over three years by Monash University, two fatalities were reported, both from downhill skiing accidents. Ski injuries accounted for 62% of hospital admissions, and snowboarding for 32%.

However, the emergency department treated more snowboarders (58%) for injuries than skiing injuries (37%).

What Injuries Do Snowboarders Commonly Get?

When snowboarding first became a popular sport, the injuries included both upper and lower limbs. Leg injuries were primarily caused by the use of stiff, hard boots, which resulted in fractures, tendon rupture, and ligament tears.

Fortunately, snowboarders realized the inherent dangers of using hard boots. There was a move to use soft boots, improving the flexibility of the foot and ankle. This change in boot style minimized leg injuries.

Currently, the majority of injuries seen in snowboarders are to the upper limbs. Snowboarders tend to fall backward or forwards and put their hands out to break their fall. Wrist strains, sprains, and fractures are common, especially in beginner snowboarders. Wrist guards are advised for all snowboarders.

Shoulder injuries such as dislocation and rotator cuff tears often result from falls. Clavicle (collar bone) fracture and separation of the clavicle and shoulder blade (acromioclavicular separation) usually result from forward or side tumbles.

Fracture of the humerus and other arm bones is associated with higher speeds. Elbow damage is regularly seen in young snowboarders.

Do Snowboarders Get Head And Spinal Injuries?

Head injuries and spinal trauma are always a risk when moving rapidly downhill on a slippery surface. Snowboarders are four times more likely to get spinal injuries than skiers. Generally, it is more advanced snowboarders that are at risk of receiving spinal and head injuries.

Jumping and engaging in acrobatic tricks while airborne is a primary cause of accidents that result in spinal injuries. Approximately ten percent of snowboarders who sustain spinal injuries will have residual neurological deficits such as paralysis.

Head trauma can be caused by a snowboarder colliding with a solid object such as a tree or another person. Concussion of varying degrees can result, and brain hemorrhage may be seen. Concussions, even mild ones, must never be dismissed and must be treated appropriately.

Head trauma cannot be altogether prevented, but wearing helmets has been shown to greatly reduce the severity of head injuries. The helmet must be designed for snowboarding and not a bicycle or other sports helmet.

What Is Snowboarder’s Ankle?

Snowboarder's ankle is chronic inflammation in the ankle joint due to excess pressure and strain being placed on the bony structure, ligaments, and tendons. It is a condition seen in high-level snowboarders who perform multiple tricks and stunts.

Advanced snowboarders choose the softest boots they can to allow maximum flexibility of the ankle joint. Unfortunately, with this flexibility, support for the ankle joint is minimal.

Snowboarder's ankle causes pain when walking, running, or snowboarding. There may be a fracture of the lateral talus, which is challenging to diagnose. Swelling is common in both inflammation and talus fracture.

The only remedy for inflammation is rest and anti-inflammatory medication. Fractures will be treated using casts, orthopedic boots, or surgery. The snowboarder should change footwear to boots that provide more support once snowboarding is resumed.

Who Gets Injured Most Often When Snowboarding?

As mentioned above, new snowboarders are most likely to have many falls. These are typically relatively minor but may cause wrist injuries.

Young men in the age group 16 to 24 years represent the highest percentage of serious injuries sustained from snowboarding. This is not surprising as this population group is most likely to engage in risk-taking behavior such as rough-terrain snowboarding, jumps, and tricks.

Interestingly, people from cities are more likely to sustain injuries than people who live in rural areas. Researchers speculate as to the cause of this profile, but some suggestions are:

1. City people may have less fitness and strength due to their everyday lives being sedentary. Country people tend to walk and work more physically and may be stronger and fitter.
2. Country people may be more aware of the inherent dangers of moving on snow and being out in bad weather. They may have a more cautious, realistic, and knowledgeable approach to snowboarding.

Are There Environmental Risks When Snowboarding?

One factor that must be considered is that snowboarding takes place outdoors in icy cold weather making hypothermia a risk. It is vital that people wear appropriate clothing when snowboarding. This is especially true for children who may become so absorbed by the activity that they do not notice the cold.

Snowboarding with friends is critical as if you should be injured or knocked unconscious in a fall, help must be obtained immediately. Lone snowboarders are at extreme risk of becoming hypothermic and dying if they have an accident and nobody knows where they are.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reported that 11 skiers and snowboarders died in avalanches during the 2017/2018 USA snow season. It is critical to follow instructions at resorts, be aware of the risk of avalanches and avoid areas susceptible to avalanches.

Conclusion

Snowboarding is great fun, but precautions must be observed to limit injuries. Wearing the proper snowboarding clothing and protective gear can lessen the severity of injuries and allow you to snowboard another day – instead of spending your holiday cooped up in a hospital!