What do you think of when you think of skiing? Do you think of the cool air whipping across your face as you speed down the Vail slopes? Do you think of the thrill of conquering a new slope?
Do you contemplate what could happen to you if you had an accident? Probably not.
One second, you could be having the vacation of your life, and the next you could be in an ambulance headed toward the nearest hospital.
Professional freestyle skier Mike Shaw did not think of this risk either. In a recent Vancouver Sun article, Shaw discussed his life threatening ski accident. While skiing in Keystone Mountain Resort in Colorado, he hit some bad snow and face-planted. He told the Sun that he knew that he was paralyzed as soon as it happened.
Three months later, Shaw was miraculously walking out of his rehab center. While his life altering experience turned out positively, Mike Shaw still reflects on how quickly his perfect ski day turned so quickly from good to sour.
At Sears & Associates, P.C., we do not want to scare you away from the joys of skiing and snowboarding, but we do want you to fully understand the risks. The Colorado Ski Safety Act sets standards and safety regulations that all should follow to provide for safe skiing. For example, it requires that a downhill skier have the right of way on the slopes. Vail Mountain Safety provides a few tips to stay safe while skiing and riding on the ski slopes. Here are three we think you can benefit from:
- Always wear a helmet on the slopes, reducing the chance of injury.
- Avoid using your cell phone or other distracting devices while on the slopes.
- Always keep control and be cognizant of others.
From all of us at Sears & Associates, P.C. in Colorado Springs, please be safe on the slopes to avoid a serious skiing accident!
Photo Credit: bobaliciouslondon via Compfight cc
