Starting this week, Beijing will host the XXIV Olympic Winter Games, running 4-20 February. And here in Central New York, it's prime time for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. As we cheer on Team USA, SOS is sharing a few tips for staying safe on the slopes.
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING INJURY PREVENTION TIPS:
- Take lessons with a qualified instructor before braving the slopes. Learn how to fall correctly and safely.
- Know safety rules. Understand and abide by all rules. Know general safety rules, such as how to safely stop, merge and yield to other
- Wear appropriate protective gear, including goggles and a helmet. Helmets are sport-specific; do not wear a bike helmet on the slopes. Ski helmets should be worn.
- Wear several layers of light, loose and water- and wind-resistant clothing for warmth and protection. Layering allows you to accommodate your body's constantly changing temperature.
- Buy boots and bindings that have been set, adjusted, maintained and tested by a ski shop.
- Check the binding of each ski before skiing. The bindings must be properly adjusted to your height and weight.
- An all-mountain snowboard is the best bet for beginners, rather than a specialty board, which is harder to turn and balance on. Also, the longer a board is, the more difficult it will be to control. Choose a board that is the right length for your size and snowboarding ability.
- Stay on the competition course and marked trails only.
- Watch out for rocks and patches of ice on the ski trails.
- Pay attention to warnings about upcoming storms and severe drops in temperature. Make adjustments for icy conditions, deep snow powder and wet snow.
SLEDDING INJURY PREVENTION TIPS:
- Always sit in a forward-facing position. Don’t be tempted to go head first or in a belly flop.
- Only sled on hills that have no obstacles and offer a smooth area to stop. Avoid hills with trees or any that are near water or lead to roads.
- Wear a fitted helmet.
- Only sled in well-lit areas. Dusk comes early in winter so if you are sledding late day, make sure there will be lights come dark.
- Children should only sled with adult supervision.
Looking for places in CNY to shred it or sled it? Check out the VisitCNY Powerderful City List