Safety Tips: Snowboarding

Dress for Excess

As anyone who has snowboarded on a cold day can tell you, it's no fun if you don't have enough warm clothing. Likewise, on hot days having too many clothes can make kids sweat, which will lead to them getting cold when the sun dips behind a cloud or the mountains. The best way to tackle this situation is to have kids dress in layers that they can shed or put on depending on the temperature.

Here's a rundown on what sort of clothes they should wear when they snowboard to avoid hypothermia and frostbite:

• Thermal underwear — As with all snowboard clothing, long underwear should be made of wool or a synthetic fabric such as polypropylene rather than cotton, which will stay wet and cold if it gets wet. The best long johns will fit snugly against the skin to form a warm base layer that their outer layers can fit over easily.
• Thermal socks — Thicker is not necessarily better when it comes to socks. A sock that is too thick will make boots too tight, which will make feet uncomfortable and cold. Choose socks that are the right thickness for your kids' boots and reach up their legs to just below the knee.
• Intermediate layers — Fleeces made from wool or synthetic fabrics work best. Try to find ones that aren't too bulky to fit under your child's jacket.
• Snowboard pants — These should be the right size while allowing kids' legs to move freely. It can also be helpful, especially when they're learning to snowboard and falling on their rear ends a lot, to get pants with a little extra padding in the seat. Be sure to get them pants that are waterproof or water-resistant.
• Jacket — The best jackets will have plenty of pockets to store gear. Many people like down jackets, which tend to be the warmest kind, but thin shells with extra intermediate layers can work just as well. As with snowboard pants, all snowboard jackets should be waterproof or water-resistant.
• Neck gaiter — On really cold days, you'll want kids to have a gaiter that covers their neck and can be pulled up to cover their face. The best ones will also have a hood to go under their helmet. Remember, people lose a lot of heat through the top of their heads, so keeping your child's head warm is the first step to keeping the rest of the body warm.

Additional Items

While kids should always have the gear and clothing mentioned above, here are a number of other items they might want to consider bringing with them when they snowboard.

• Hand warmers — These inexpensive packets are available at almost every ski or snowboard shop and will help keep fingers warm for hours.
• Boot warmers — Battery-operated and great for keeping toes warm, boot warmers can be installed quickly at most ski or snowboard shops.
• Walkie-talkies — These are great for keeping in touch with your kids if they head off to board on different trails, and if they get lost, a walkie-talkie will make it much easier to find them.
• Sunscreen — Even on cloudy days it's possible to get a bad sunburn while snowboarding. Always rub sunscreen on exposed skin if kids plan to be outside for any length of time.
• Lip balm — While this may not be necessary at Eastern ski areas, the climate in the West is very dry, and your child's lips will get chapped without protection.
  
• Water and food — While it may look like gravity is doing all the work, snowboarding is actually a very strenuous activity. Kids can get fatigued and dehydrated easily, particularly at higher altitudes, so it's always a good idea for them to carry water, and a quick snack will help them get some energy back if they find their muscles getting tired.

Before They Make Their First Turns

One of the most effective ways to prevent injuries while snowboarding is to make sure your kids are in good shape before they go. Stronger muscles will not only help them maintain control, they'll also make boarding more fun. If you know your kids will be hitting the slopes in the winter, make sure they get regular exercise in the summer and fall. They'll be glad they did. And make sure they stretch before they start snowboarding.

When you get to the ski resort, if your kids have never boarded before — or even if they have — sign them up for snowboard lessons. Even the best athletes in the world can't board on their own the first time out. The best way to learn is from a trained instructor certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). Private lessons will give kids the most one-on-one time with an instructor, but less-expensive group lessons work very well too and are an opportunity to make some new friends.

A Note on the Snowboarder's Blind Spot

One major difference between snowboarding and skiing is that kids will be facing sideways when they board. This creates a blind spot behind them. Let them know that they should always be aware of who or what is around them at all times, and they should be certain there are no other boarders, skiers, or obstacles in their blind spot before they make a heel-edge turn.

This is particularly important for beginner snowboarders. It can be hard for them to take their focus off the slope ahead to make sure it's safe to turn, but it is vital that they make the effort each and every time they do. Collisions are not just painful, they can also lead to costly lawsuits.

Be Smart on the Slopes

So, your kids are in shape, they've got all the right equipment and clothing, and they've taken a few lessons. They're finally ready to go boarding on their own.

There are still a few important things for them to remember to keep themselves safe, though:

• Always board with a friend — No matter how good a snowboarder your child is, it's possible to have a bad fall and be unable to continue boarding. Having a friend to look out for them and, if necessary, summon the ski patrol is much safer than boarding alone.
• Know your limits — Make sure your kids are aware of and honest about their snowboarding ability. If they're beginners, they should stick to the beginner slopes until they feel comfortable enough to move up to something steeper. Most ski trails are clearly marked as green circles (beginner terrain), blue squares (intermediate terrain), or black diamonds (advanced terrain). If a trail says it's for experts only, it means just that. Boarding terrain that is beyond their ability is not only no fun, it's also a good way for them to hurt themselves.
• Follow the rules — Insist that your kids know to never venture past the ski area boundary or board into a closed area. These areas are off-limits for a reason. They're not patrolled by the ski patrol, and they usually contain hazards that your kids won't want to deal with. Also, make sure they pay attention to any warning signs they might see. If a sign says, "Slow skiing area," they'll want to go slow to avoid other skiers and boarders. If a sign says, "Cliff," they'll want to go another way or stop before they go over the edge.
• Practice snowboarder etiquette — Kids need to remember that skiers and boarders in front of them or below them on the trail have the right of way. Tell them to never stop in the middle of a trail or anywhere where they can't be seen from above, such as below a dropoff. They should also look uphill to make sure no one is coming toward them before they start down a trail or merge onto a new trail. If they're passing another skier or boarder on a catwalk or narrow trail, have them call out "On your right" or "On your left" to let people know they're approaching.

Reviewed by: Kathleen B. O'Brien, MD
Date reviewed: February 2010