During the winter ski season, Cathedral Catholic High School students and their friends and families travel to the mountains to ski and snowboard. Although most students enjoy a day on the slopes free from incident, skiing and snowboarding can result in serious injury. Here are some tips to stay safe.

Wear a helmet

According to snowlink.com, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 35-50 percent. If a skiers or snowboarders get going too fast or hits a patch of ice, they must be prepared for the inevitable crash.

“I am a constant skier and every time I ski, I wear a helmet,” Martin Surillo ‘18 said. “If I fall and hit my head, or go out of control, it’s good to know I’m protected.”

The helmet also keeps the head and ears warm while going down the mountain.

Layers

In the middle of the winter, the coldest season of the year, the temperature tends to drop, especially on the mountain top. According to nsaa.org, it is always smart to dress in layers. A t-shirt, a sweater and a heavy snow jacket are recommended for the upper body. For the lower body, it is important to wear snowboard pants and sweat pants. For the hands, mittens or gloves would suffice, but for people whose hands get cold, mittens are recommended.

Know your skill level

When skiing, it is important for people to know their limits. Challenging themselves may not be the best idea for beginners. If people engage in reckless behavior on the slopes or challenge themselves too much to the point where they cannot get down the slope safely, they may put other snowboarders, skiers and themselves in danger.

Ski with a partner

Skiing or snowboarding with a partner can make the difference between getting trapped in the trees or staying safe at the bottom of the mountain.

“I ski with a partner for two reasons,” Aine Kern ‘18, a student at Sage Creek High School, said. “The first is because if I go alone and something happens, I’m stranded with only the white snow for company. The second is because it’s always more fun to ski with a friend.”

A friend provides company on the slopes while also standing by one’s side in case something unexpected happens.

Stay in control

This is the most important tip of all. Take easier runs at first to feel how well the skis or snowboard turns and operates. In addition, ski safety experts encourage people to take rests when needed. Resting the overall body allows it to stay healthy and not overworked.