Table 1

Characteristics of individuals sustaining skiing or snowboarding injuries on slopes or in terrain parks at two western ski areas, 2000–05

SlopesTerrain parksMissing data
(N=10828)(N=3953)
CharacteristicsN%N%N (%)
Activity
 Alpine skiing488345625160 (0)
 Snowboarding594555332884
Gender
 Male57675332188227 (0)
 Female50494772718
Age (y)
 1–12177917354978 (1)
 13–24384036270669
 25–3927052573719
 40+2452231434
Ability
 Beginner3676352988353 (2)
 Intermediate450542168844
 Expert244423187048
Owned equipment
 No44574259315447 (3)
 Yes610058323685
Wore helmet
 No854380286073157 (1)
 Yes217420107427
Ski school
 No970790384298104 (1)
 Yes105710882
Wind
 Calm80557730658078 (1)
 Medium21272067318
 High3023792
Clear visibility
 No18001737510501 (3)
 Yes870283345790
Injury mechanism
 Fall: high*4864219756
 Fall: medium767777220
 Fall: level2751251714
 Collision1514141263
 Unknown53104968717
  • * High fall defined as terrain park elevated jump, cliff, or other indication of likely greater height.

  • Medium fall defined as mogul or small jump.