The last thing you want is to plan an amazing holiday in one of our luxury catered ski chalets, then spend all your time indoors because you’ve been injured. Knee injuries, for example, are common amongst skiers because, if the ski bindings do not release instantly when you fall, the knee joint takes the strain and ligament damage may occur.
Here are some basic tips which, if followed, will help prevent injuries and ensure that your ski holiday is everything you hoped for.
1 Make sure that your ski equipment and boots fit perfectly. Don’t borrow skis or boots from a friend or buy online without trying them on. Whether buying or hiring, seek expert advice from staff. Your boots should be a nice snug fit, without your ankle moving around at all inside. For skis, don’t exaggerate your level of expertise to the ski hire assistant. If you are given skis that are too long, you will find them harder to turn. Similarly, if the bindings are set too high for your ability level, this could easily lead to injury.
Le Chardon Mountain Lodges have teamed up with local ski shop Favre Sports, who will deliver and fit all your equipment in your chalet. This can all be pre-arranged by your very own concierge service. Daily ski testing can also be arranged giving you the opportunity to test the seasons new skis and snowboards.
2 As with all sports, it is crucial to warm up before skiing. Take a few minutes to stretch your thighs, hamstrings, calves and hip muscles before you hit the slopes in the morning and make sure you hold each stretch for 30 seconds. You can make this a fun group activity in the chalet’s large living area before you head out, as all our chalets in vald’isere have ski in ski out access to the slopes.
3 Book some ski tuition for your holiday, whether you are a novice or an experienced skier – you really do need to learn how to ski properly and avoid picking up or continuing with bad habits that could lead to sports injury. We have strong working relationships with some of the best ski schools in Val d’Isere.
4 Keep to your own ability level and don’t be tempted to keep up with more experienced friends. A lot of sports injuries happen because someone is trying to ski faster or on more difficult pistes than is safe for their ability level.
5 Keep your knees flexed at all times (but not more than is comfortable), and if you are going to fall, always aim to fall forwards, not backwards. Use knee supports to provide extra stability and to keep your knees safe from injury.
6 Gain some basic knowledge about first aid and specifically sports first aid. Should there be an accident, you need to know how to deal with emergencies and avoid making a bad situation worse.
7 Always quit while you are ahead! Although it can be tempting to fit in one last ski, this can be a mistake! Don’t ski when you are feeling tired as accidents are most frequent at the end of the day.
Follow these simple tips and they will help you avoid knee injury and other sports injuries. Have a great skiing holiday!