SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 30 July 2015
STP158220140001

Jumping Features at Ski Resorts: Good Risk Management?

Source

Injuries associated with jumping can result in catastrophic and fatal consequences. The concentration of designed jumping features within a segregated part of the resort called a Terrain Park (TP), likely results in an increase in jumping. Hypothesis: Is the increase in TPs associated with an increase of injuries, to include catastrophic and fatal injury? National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) US national data from 1990 to 2010 was used to compute the rates per million resort visits from 1990 to 2010 for trauma related catastrophic and fatal injuries to resort users while skiing and snowboarding. Data from selected resorts was used to estimate the overall incident rate of ski patrol reports per 1000 days of exposure at ten-year intervals for 2000 and 2010. From 1990 to 2010, the number of resorts having one or more TPs with designed jumping features went from none to 94 %. During this time, the rate of fatal and catastrophic injury and the overall incidence of any injury has not changed. The hypothesis that jumping features resulted in increased risk of injury has not been substantiated. TPs may offer benefits. These include a reduction of incidence and severity of injuries to jumpers by providing specifically designed jumping features that are tested before being opened. Segregating jumping may reduce the incidence of individuals being struck by jumpers. The increase in TPs has not been associated with an increase in the catastrophic, fatal, or overall injury rate.

Author Information

Shealy, Jasper, E.
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, US GEAR, Seattle, WA, US
Scher, Irving
GEAR, Seattle, WA, US Univ. Washington, Seattle, WA, US
Johnson, Robert, J.
Univ. of Vermont, Burlington, VT, US
Rice, John, A.
Sierra-At-Tahoe, Twin Bridges, CA, US
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Details
Developed by Committee: F27
Pages: 1–12
DOI: 10.1520/STP158220140001
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-7610-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-7609-6