Most of the injuries that occur while skiing or snowboarding are traumatic. While both sports share some common injuries, skiers tend to suffer more knee injuries and snowboarders more upper extremity injuries.
Common knee injuries among both skiers and snowboarders include anterior cruciate(ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL tears), meniscus tears and fractures of the lower leg. Common shoulder injuries include clavicle fractures, shoulder dislocations and separations.
Snowboarders often fall on their wrists sustaining sprains or fractures. Skiers frequently injure their thumb resulting in “skiers thumb” (ulnar collateral ligament tears). Of course, concussions can occur in both skiers and snowboarders. Spine injuries may occur in both sports as well. Injuries due to the cold such as frostbite or Hypothermia are unique to these sports.
Common Skiing & Snowboarding Injuries
Concussions
Hand: Ulnar collateral ligaments (skier’s thumb)
Knee: ACL | MCL | Meniscus
Shoulder: AC separations | Clavicle fractures | Shoulder instability
Wrist: Fractures | Sprains