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Face plants, front flips, back flips, cartwheels, butt flops, and headstands. These aren’t
rad new acrobatics. They’re some of the clumsy maneuvers I somehow manage every time I
strap onto my board. And they hurt. I’ve learned never to underestimate the ability of a
snowboard to coax my body into violent contortions and strange episodic wipeouts.
Statistically, snowboarding is no more dangerous than skiing, but somehow the impact of a
fall always seems more sudden, harder, and less forgiving.
Not to say snowboarding isn’t worth it. There’s nothing like carving your single
track-autograph on the slope, your body swaying like a new-age dance when you find that
melody of balance and rhythm. It’s simple, serene, and fast. Riding aggressively will
always lead to peak performance, but taking some practical rules to heart will help keep
you safe. Here’s some tips:
- Follow the Buddy System.
No regression to grade school days here; riding with a friend can save your life. Two
years ago in Aspen, Colorado an expert rider was taking one last run on his own. He lost
an edge and fell upside down into a wind-carved hole in the snow around a tree trunk. The
coroner said he would have been fine had he been found two days earlier. So whether you
smack a tree, get buried in a tree-well, or sprain your knee, having a friend there to
get help might make all the difference.
- Know your limits.
Almost all snowboard-related injuries are the result of riding too fast, and losing
control. Unfamiliar conditions or heavy snow, steep slopes, fatigue, crowds, and weather
all contribute to your ability to ride proficiently—so evaluate the environment around
you, and don’t get cocky. According to the National Ski Patrol more than 75% of ski-area
deaths are the result of advanced skiers and boarders losing control while on the margins
of intermediate terrain.
- Dress appropriately.
Snowboarding usually means you’re in the mountains, and mountain weather can be
unpredictable and extreme. Layer your clothing and strip down to stay cool in the hot
sun, but plan for the worst and layer up should the clouds turn against you. Carry a
small pack, or keep supplies in a locker. Heavy waterproof gloves or mittens are great
for boarders, who often spend a lot of time on the ground. Use goggles or sunglasses to
protect against UV radiation and blowing snow, and don’t be shy with the sunscreen.
- Camel up.
Staying hydrated and well energized are key to safety in winter outdoor exercise. The
fatigue that comes with dehydration or a skipped meal can leave you cold, or stranded, or
even affect your decision making in life-threatening situations. Drink regularly, aiming
for one quart each hour, even in cold conditions. And stock up on carbohydrates whenever
you get the chance. In the mountains, lots of fluid helps your body adjust to changing
altitudes and prevents associated sicknesses, headaches, and pulmonary edema.
- Know how to fall.
I often have this strange experience when boarding of gravitating towards the very object
I’m trying to avoid. When your speed gets uncontrollably fast, or you’re headed for some
unagreeable stationary object, just sit down. Skiing and snowboarding injuries commonly
result from efforts made to avoid a fall, and if you learn to gracefully embrace that
fall, you’ll stand a better chance of getting up to try again. Roll into a forward fall;
instead of bracing yourself with outstretched hands and fragile wrists, tuck a shoulder
and somersault forward.
- Wear a helmet.
This is unconventional wisdom, to be sure, but think about it. You wouldn’t go for a bike
ride without one, but snowboarding speeds often exceed 50 miles per hour. Helmets are
turning fashionable for riders everywhere and new designs are lightweight and
comfortable—some models even have built-in headphones for your listening pleasure. If you
like to carve the trees and the steeps, then a brain bucket is nothing more than common
sense.
- Survive.
If you ride in a commercial area, the risks are substantially reduced but not
eliminated. Take your sport to the backcountry and you’ll need advanced knowledge of
avalanche analysis, appropriate safety gear like shovels and transceivers, and a first
aid kit. Carry a cell phone if you have one, as well as basic medical supplies, a map and
compass, and an emergency blanket. Consider taking a backcountry safety course at your
local ski area, or your local park ranger station.
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