Numerous ski resorts stay open in late April (and some even into May), and with Easter falling later than usual this year, more British families may be considering ski trip planning for the Easter half term holidays.
However, warmer temperatures and melting snow impact conditions at lower altitudes, which can impact safety, so careful planning for end-of-season trips is key. With this in mind, we delved into our claims data to reveal the most common injuries on winter sports holidays, and collaborated with various experts to offer specific advice on how you can stay safe on the slopes this Easter. Read on to find out more…
Winter sports claims data
Most people who get injured from skiing do so for a number of reasons. These include a lack of experience; a loss of control, which leads to collisions; falling, due to poor technique, icy conditions and uneven terrain; or equipment issues, such as poorly fitted or maintained equipment.
By reviewing our first-party claims data from 2024 and 2023, we found that 60.4% of the winter sports claims we received made reference to at least one injury type. From this analysis, we were also able to decipher which injuries were most common on winter sports holidays, and it revealed that knee injuries were the most common overall, with approximately 21% of claims citing this body part.
Shoulder (approximately 18%) and leg (approximately 13%) injuries were the second and third most likely to be cited in claims. Other injuries relating to hands, head, arms, hips, ribs, face, feet, ankles, back, elbows, pelvis, throat, and wrists also feature amongst the recent claims.
Looking at the activity types related to these claims, skiing accounted for almost half of the claims. Off piste skiing, snowboarding, ski racing and race training, and off piste snowboarding made up the remainder of the top five. Other activities, such as ski touring, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ice climbing, alpine skiing, and downhill skiing were also listed.
To better understand the context behind our claims data, we asked Judy Neville, business manager ESF UK, about the most common injuries during ski or snowboard holidays. On this, Judy shared that “the most common injury that people suffer from isn’t really an injury as such, but sore and aching legs and joints. Because skiing and snowboarding requires the use of pressure in the knees and upper legs as well as pushing your shins forward in your ski boot, these aches and pains are the most common. As for mainstream injury, the knees and legs are the first to be affected simply as ski boots are ridged keeping feet and ankles in place so twisted knees would be the most common”.
When asked if these change nearer end-of-season, Judy added that “as the snow conditions change through the season from heavy snow and ice in December/January to spring snow in March and April, the differing injuries will come from tired legs and knees ploughing through slushy snow to bumps and bruises if falling over on hard packed slopes”.
The likelihood of getting injured while skiing depends on several factors, including your skill level and the terrain you’re skiing on. Skiing on challenging ground, such as steep slopes, moguls or terrain parks, increases the risk of injury compared to skiing on groomed runs designed for beginners.
Injury recovery insights
As part of our research, we also spoke with James Vickers, a Doctify rated consultant physiotherapist, and Matt Matson, MCSP HCPC, physiotherapist from Marylebone Health, to share insights into how long common sports injuries typically take to heal, and what physiotherapy is recommended.
Their insights revealed the following:
- Broken bones (leg, arm, wrist): Healing time varies. Lower limb breaks, like legs, can take up to 3 months in adults (around 12 weeks), while upper limb breaks usually take about 6 weeks. It really depends on the size and type of break – a small crack is different from a full displacement. These are just rough guidelines.
- Fractures (collarbone, finger): Similar to breaks, collarbone falls under the upper limb timeline above (about 6 weeks).
- Torn ligaments (ACL): This depends on the severity of the tear, which is usually graded 1-3 (3 being a complete rupture). A complete ACL rupture often requires surgery. Sometimes, a complete tear might heal with the right environment and bracing, possibly taking around 3 months. Other knee ligaments like the MCL can heal with proper support. Less severe ligament tears (10-90%) might heal around the 6-week mark. Soft tissue injuries generally heal faster, around 3 weeks.
- Abrasions (cuts): Skin usually heals pretty quickly, typically within 1 week to 10 days.
- Concussion/head injuries: A return-to-function protocol should be followed and you should be monitored carefully for the first 3 weeks at least. The latest international guidelines (updated in 2023) now recommend allowing about 4 weeks for recovery – for everyone, regardless of age. Modern concussion management emphasises active rehabilitation rather than prolonged rest.
On concussions, Matt added that “when concussion symptoms don’t go away within the normal recovery period, physiotherapy really comes into play. Physiotherapy can help guide someone through this rehabilitation plan, which often starts with low-intensity controlled aerobic exercise, slowly progressing depending on symptoms. Symptoms are individualised, so treatment may vary depending on what is experienced. If headaches and neck pain are an issue, physiotherapy can be helpful to reduce neck stiffness. Due to the whiplash-style nature of concussion, a neck-strengthening exercise program is really important to help regain confidence, strength, and control.
“Sensorimotor (balance) training can also be a really important part of rehabilitation. Additionally, there are physiotherapists who specialise in vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness and balance problems, which may be crucial to recovery. It’s vital to follow a structured return-to-play protocol and consult with healthcare professionals experienced in concussion management”.
Expert advice for safe ski holidays
Of course, your behaviour on the slopes affects the chance of injuries, so follow proper safety guidance. The experts also shared their thoughts on the best exercises to prepare for a week of skiing or snowboarding, to get ready for the slopes.
James recommends building leg strength and doing lower limb aerobic exercises: “To build leg strength, incorporate more strength training into your gym routine. You don’t need to do Olympic lifting – basic movement patterns like squats to work the major leg muscles are great. For lower limb aerobic exercise, you should do exercises that mimic the short bursts of intensity skiing, like 30-second intervals on a bike, cross-trainer, or even running”. For more advice and tips, check out our blog on how to get ski fit and prepare for the slopes.
James also shared 6 tips for staying safe during end-of-season ski or snowboard holidays, including:
- Be prepared: The best way to prevent injury is to be in good physical condition that matches your skill level. A good skier should be in good shape
- Do specific exercises: Target the muscles you’ll be using on the slopes
- Increase anaerobic capacity: This will help you power through those runs
- Match your fitness level to the activity: Don’t overestimate your abilities
- Be sensible on the slopes: Ski within your limits
- Watch out for alcohol: Combining alcohol with skiing can increase your risk of accidents
To this, Judy added that “safety is paramount to any ESF instructor when teaching, however, some people will fall over as they learn, which can be very frightening. Falling is natural so the biggest tip is to fall as a rag doll and not stiff. As you fall, relax. Do not fight the mountain as you will never win. Fall with grace and steady yourself before picking yourself up.
“Also, people should always stretch in the morning before skiing. The stretching of hamstrings and quads will loosen the joints and muscles from sleep and allow movement more freely”.
Nutrition is also important, and maintaining a balanced diet provides the energy needed for safe skiing. Stock up on foods rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats – slow-release carbs will ensure consistent energy levels, rather than relying on sugary snacks for a quick fix that will cause short-term blood sugar spikes. Incorporate a good assortment of fresh fruit and veg into your diet, along with lean proteins, nuts, pulses and whole grains.
You should also stay hydrated throughout the day, to prevent altitude sickness and muscle cramps, regulate your body temperature and maintain energy levels during the day. Carry water with you at all times, as well as energy snacks for consistent boosts that will prevent exhaustion.
Although skiing burns a lot more calories, which does allow you to eat more than usual to maintain energy levels, avoid indulging in junk food throughout your trip. An occasional treat won’t be the end of the world, but eating lots of junk food can cause you to crash and become unwell. Also try to eat evening meals at least a couple of hours before bed, so that your body can adequately digest food and properly rest when it’s time for sleep.
Ski insurance
Due to the nature of the sport, there are risks attached to yourself and others, so it is worth ensuring you have appropriate insurance to cover unexpected incidents and make sure you stay safe when skiing. The possibility of getting injured whilst skiing is relatively high due to the nature of the sport. With this in mind, it’s important to financially protect yourself from the costs of receiving medical treatment in a foreign country.
Whilst there are ways to avoid injuries on a ski trip, taking out specialist ski insurance or winter sports insurance ensures you will have comprehensive cover and can enjoy your winter holiday without the worry of unexpected bills.
Be aware that some travel insurance policies will exclude skiing, snowboarding and many other activities on the slopes. So, if you have an accident and are not covered, you could be left to pick up the bill. Make sure you have the correct cover.
At SportsCover Direct we cover a variety of winter sports disciplines including off-piste skiing, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, ski jumping and a whole host of other activities on the mountain. Our policy comes with benefits such as 24 hour emergency medical assistance, search and rescue, cancellation cover and more. If you need to be evacuated from the mountainside or repatriated back home, this will be covered under our policy.
Choose from different policy options, including travel insurance, a bolt-on to add to your existing provider, or accident insurance. Our sports travel insurance policy lets you choose the skiing insurance that suits you. Just tell us exactly what you will be doing on your ski holiday and we’ll provide you with the cover you need.
*Based on winter sports claims data from 2024 and 2023 that mention at least one injury
~Sports mentioned are excluding competitions or race training, unless otherwise stated
This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation.