Hit the Slopes Safely: Understanding the Most Common Snow Sports Injuries

While modern equipment, improved facilities, and increased safety awareness continue to make snow sports safer year-on-year, accidents can still happen. Ready for the slopes? Here is an essential breakdown of the most common injuries skiers and snowboarders should look out for—and how the experts at Fortius are managing them.

ACL and MCL Injuries

Knee injuries remain the most frequent snow sports-related trauma, accounting for a staggering one-third of all cases. Why are the knees so vulnerable? They must absorb dramatic impact, cushion shocks, and stabilise the body while navigating sudden twists and turns. 

• ACL and MCL Tears: These ligament injuries are increasingly common because of the sheer number of risk scenarios-landing poorly after a jump, colliding with another participant, or simply losing your balance and falling. Crucially, speed isn't the only factor. Travelling slowly can sometimes be more dangerous, as ski bindings often fail to release at lower forces, trapping the leg and forcing the knee into a traumatic position. 

These types of injuries often require surgery to repair the damage. However, to reduce the risk in the first place, ensuring ,  you are well trained and know how to respond under pressure won’t guarantee safety but will give you the best possible chance of avoiding injury. 

Upper Limb Injuries in Snowboarding

In contrast to skiing, where the knee takes the brunt of the impact, snowboarders' feet are locked together, offering greater knee protection. This means their upper body is most at risk, particularly when bracing for a fall. 

Typical upper limb injuries include: 

• Wrist fractures 

• Elbow dislocations 

• Shoulder rotator cuff injuries 

• Broken collarbones (clavicle fractures) 

• Concussions 

Fortius Shoulder Surgeon Mr. Steven Corbett notes that the rise in certain fractures, such as those to the collarbone and upper arm, might reflect current conditions. As he explains, clavicular fractures are far more common on ice, whereas the dreaded knee injuries tend to occur in softer, deeper powder—a subtle clue that also speaks to the participants' speed and terrain.  

Therefore, although it is important to look after all parts of the body when doing an extreme activity like snow sports, certain areas of the body may need more care if they are more vulnerable to injury depending on the conditions you are in. 

Lumbosacral pain

The unique postures and constant bracing required on the slopes put the lower back under significant strain. An underlying muscle imbalance or poor form can lead to a dull ache and stiffness after a holiday.  

Rest is key, but if the stiffness develops into a sharper, lasting pain, specialist assessment may be required. 

UCL tear

Known professionally as an Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) tear, 'Skier's Thumb' is a rip in the ligament supporting the thumb's gripping function. The name comes from its most common cause: falling while still clutching a ski pole, which forces the thumb outwards and tears the ligament. In terms of treatment, partial tears are often managed with a splint or cast, but a complete tear usually requires surgery. 

Fractured clavicle

The collarbone is particularly susceptible to a bad break, often resulting from a fall directly onto the arm or shoulder, or from a high-speed collision—all of which are highly likely if proper care isn’t taken during snow sports. This is typically a very painful and serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.  

Accidents are inevitable, but excellent recovery shouldn't be a gamble.

Regardless of the injury, specialist treatment for snow sports has improved dramatically. Worried about your own injury? How quickly could you be seen by a specialist? 

The Fortius Clinic Ski Injuries Service in London is a dedicated solution for snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities, offering rapid, effective, and specialist treatment to get you back to your best. 

If you’ve been injured on the slopes or want expert advice before your next trip, call our dedicated Ski Injury Hotline on 0204 571 9780 to speak directly with a member of our specialist team.