Staying safe when you’re out in the snow is crucial – it’s the most important thing you can do. It should be everyone’s priority when you’re out skiing, snowboarding, or doing anything in the snow – take care of yourself, and those around you! Aside from the obvious things like wearing a good quality, reliable helmet, such as those found here https://www.altitude-sports.com/collections/gear-ski-snowboard-helmets – what else can you do to ensure that you’re safe in the snow?
We’ve got some handy tips that you should definitely consider and put into practice – they’ll help you keep safe in the snow, and make sure that whatever you’re doing out there, you’re having a great, fun time, and that you’re taking the best care you can of yourself and others around you!
Equipment
No matter what equipment you have, it’s essential that you keep it well maintained. This means checking fittings, mountings, seeing that nothing is loose, rusty, worn, or broken. If you’ve got a piece of equipment that isn’t fit for the job, then don’t use it – fix it, replace it, go without it if safe, or simply don’t do your chosen activity until your equipment is all in good working order.
If you’re skiing or snowboarding, you’ll need to have your skis, board, boots, binding, and poles fitted for you by a trained professional. You’ll need a good quality helmet that’s designed for your sport or activity – one that fits your head well, and comes with a chinstrap. Keep the chinstrap on at all times!
The sun is a cruel thing in the snow – it doesn’t do much to keep you warm, but it will still dazzle and blind you, and can even cause damage to your eyes – not helped one bit by the fact that you’re surrounded entirely by a brilliant white landscape that reflects the sunlight perfectly. You’ll definitely need some eye protection. At the very least, you’ll need sunglasses with a good rating for UV protection – but if you’re going to be out when it’s actively raining or snowing then you might well prefer to wear goggles instead. Just like with sunglasses, you should pick goggles that are designed to protect you against the sun.
You should also wear some sunscreen – yes, you can get sunburn even when it’s below freezing outside – and even on cloudy days! The snow is just so good at reflecting light that you can get sunburned easily – and while most of your body is going to be covered up if you’re sensible, your face can be harder or less comfortable to cover completely, so you should definitely wear some protection against sunburn.
Wrap up warm! This doesn’t mean wearing the thickest possible clothes, or all of your wardrobe at once – how would you even move? However, you will need to wear multiple layers of good quality warm clothing – thermal undershirts and leggings are a great idea, and having multiple layers of clothing instead of one single thick one is much better. You’ll have pockets of air between the layers, which is crucial to the job of keeping the heat in, and the cold out! Another great thing about dressing in layers for the cold is that you can more easily adjust your temperature – if you get too warm, you can open up or remove a layer or two to help you cool down. If all you have is one giant coat, you’re a little bit stuck if you start to overheat.
Wear a skiing scarf/snood as well, to stop heat escaping from around your neck, and to keep you generally more comfortable. These are extremely adjustable, and can go from being a scarf around your neck into being a full cloth facemask in a matter of seconds. Anf, of course, if you feel you’re getting too warm, they can be folded up extremely small and put into a pocket. This might make it handier for you than a thick woollen scarf – although nobody will deny that a nice big fluffy scarf can be great for keeping you warm, they can be very bulky!
Stay Safe When You’re Out There
First of all, remember the old saying – safety in numbers! Make sure that you’re never alone when you’re out there – you should always have at least one person, and ideally more, nearby at all times, in case you need help. This means that you should look out for other people too – don’t let anybody ski, snowboard, ro do any sort of activity in the snow alone – it’s just too dangerous!
Make sure that you stick to slopes and routes that are appropriate for your skill level. Don’t attempt anything that isn’t a good fit for your experience level – and don’t feel pressured into going on to the harder slopes and routes if you’re not ready for them.
Make sure that you pay attention to all posted signs, and to your surroundings, at all times. If you’re keeping your eyes open, and are actively looking out for obstacles and other skiers or snowboarders, you’re giving yourself a much better chance of avoiding a collision. Keep your distance from other skiers and snowboarders – and if they’re in front of you, make sure to give them right of way. If you need to stop, make sure that you do it in a safe place, where you’re not in anybody else’s way. Stop in a place that will let people see you clearly, in case you need help – but also one where you’re not going to run the risk of someone colliding with you.
Don’t stray out of the boundaries of the ski area – stick closely to only the marked paths and allocated areas, and make sure not to go into any closed off areas either. It could well be very dangerous to stray from the allotted boundaries.
Conclusion
Whatever you’re doing in the snow, hopefully you’ll have a great time that’s packed with fun – and one in which you stay perfectly safe. Follow these tips and you’re on the way to keeping yourself and others around you safe in the snow!