If watching Olympic skiers speed along the downhill course and snowboarders grab air on the halfpipe in Sochi inspires you to try those sports again, that's great—but watch out. More than half a million people a year suffer a ski-related injury. The slopes might be safer if everyone familiarized themselves with the National Ski Areas Association’s skiing and snowboarding safety tips. Here are 5:
- Obtain proper equipment and take a lesson from a qualified instructor.
- Know your limits and learn to ski and snowboard smoothly and in control.
- Stop before you become fatigued.
- Prior to using any lift, make sure you have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
- Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
If you return from the slopes with achy hips and knees or a sore back, check out our pain relief guide. A common over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol and generics), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil and generics), or naproxen (Aleve and generics) may be your best first option for relief.
—Doug Podolsky
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