Former F1 world champion Michael Schumacher recently had an accident while skiing near the French Alps, hitting his head on a rock and was subsequently hospitalized. He remains in a coma. The racing legend’s injury has touched the hearts of fans worldwide and also serves as a warning to skiing enthusiasts. In response, reporters contacted He Wei, a renowned domestic snowboarder, who explained in detail from both a professional perspective and personal experience how skiers can protect themselves while on the slopes. He emphasized that the most crucial aspect of skiing is to “know your limits.”
Nicknamed “Xiao Hu,” He Wei is one of China’s top snowboarders in the slopestyle (obstacle slope tricks) discipline. At the 2013 “Air & Style” Beijing event held last month, he became the first Chinese rider to compete in the competition, successfully landing a difficult double cork 900 aerial trick. Although he was eliminated in the round of 16, he became the first Chinese rider to complete this move in an official competition. He is also the only snowboarder in China sponsored by Red Bull. Currently, Xiao Hu is training intensively at the Nanshan Ski Resort in Miyun, Beijing, in preparation for the 12th Red Bull Nanshan Open qualifiers to be held there on January 4.
As a professional snowboarder, Xiao Hu has also suffered injuries. In 2011, he sustained serious injuries during training in New Zealand and had to rest for nearly a year. “I saw the news about Schumacher; he was on alpine skis,” said Xiao Hu. Actually, in terms of getting started, alpine skiing is much simpler than snowboarding. Once you put on alpine skis, standing up isn’t a problem, and you can start sliding with a bit of practice. But with snowboarding, the real challenge for beginners is simply staying upright and moving. “However, once you get past the beginner stage, progress is faster and more fun on a snowboard.” As for safety, “the risks are pretty similar between the two, just certain specific movements differ. Most importantly, know your limits.”
1. Gear — A helmet could save your life
1. Your helmet is your skiing seatbelt
According to foreign media reports, the University Hospital of Grenoble in France, where Schumacher is being treated, held a press conference on December 30 local time to provide an update on his condition. Dr. Emmanuel Gay, one of the surgeons treating him, said that at the time of the accident, Schumacher’s head hit a rock at high speed and with great force. Had he not been wearing a helmet, he certainly would not have survived.
On this, Xiao Hu said that the helmet is absolutely the most important piece of gear. You might not notice its importance normally, but it could save your life in a critical moment. Even if you think your skills are solid, you may not hit others—but they might hit you. “There are too many novice ‘torpedoes’ on the slopes. It’s like wearing a seatbelt when driving—don’t gamble with your life!”
Another example illustrating the importance of helmets is the famous “Althaus accident” in Schumacher’s native Germany—in January 1, 2009, former Thuringian State Premier Dieter Althaus collided with a female skier while skiing in Austria. The helmet Althaus was wearing saved his life, while the woman, who wasn’t wearing one, tragically lost hers.
According to data from the German Ski Association, before the Althaus accident, only about a quarter of German skiers wore helmets. Now, even though it's still not mandatory, around 80% of skiers voluntarily wear helmets on the slopes. German Ski Association safety expert Andreas König said this change is largely thanks to the “Althaus effect.”
2. Bring a butt pad—your backside will thank you
There’s a lot of skiing gear, and most beginners focus on things like snowsuits and snowboards. But Xiao Hu reminds everyone that while items like boards, suits, gloves, and hats can be rented at most ski resorts, you should definitely bring your own butt pad, wrist guards, and knee pads. Beginners are bound to fall a lot, and the snow in Chinese resorts isn’t the soft powder kind. “If you don’t wear protection as a beginner, your butt will really pay the price,” Xiao Hu said with a laugh.
3. Ski goggles are essential—avoid wearing contact lenses if possible
Because snow reflects sunlight intensely and cold wind can be harsh on the eyes while skiing, goggles are necessary to protect your vision. Xiao Hu said that skiing without eye protection can easily lead to snow blindness, which in severe cases can cause permanent damage. If you don’t have goggles, sunglasses can work in a pinch, but those wearing prescription glasses should opt for goggles with thicker frames that can fully cover their glasses. People with poor vision shouldn’t wear contact lenses while skiing—once they fall and lose a lens, the chance of finding it again is nearly zero. Also, if you’re worried about your face getting too cold, bring a face mask.
2. Terrain — Know your limits, and stay on the trails
Schumacher’s accident was largely due to terrain issues. According to Sylvain Simond, the manager of the Méribel ski resort where the incident occurred: “Schumacher chose an area outside the marked trails. Given the current weather conditions, off-piste areas carry significant risks due to hidden obstacles.”
Regarding this, Xiao Hu reminds skiing enthusiasts to plan their routes carefully while on the slopes, avoid showing off, and understand that many amateur skiers struggle with directional control, which can easily lead to collisions. Additionally, it’s best to hit the slopes early because domestic resorts tend to get crowded, and the snow on the trails isn’t deep powder—by the afternoon, many areas often become icy, which is very dangerous.
Also, some pre-ski preparations are essential, including joint warm-ups. You can also do squats, jogging, or jumping in place. Overweight individuals or those who don’t exercise often should take extra care to warm up. The most important thing during the learning process is to progress gradually, and if possible, take lessons from a coach. When the slopes are busy, always control your speed, and those higher up the slope should actively yield to those below. Don’t stop in the middle of the trail—if you need to rest, move to the sides of the trail where there’s open space, allowing those above to see you and giving them room to avoid you.
3. Movement — Fall proactively
If you fall while skiing, how you fall matters. Ideally, you should “fall proactively,” which helps prevent secondary injuries, reduce momentum, and give you a buffer. Common injuries for beginners include knees, wrists, and lower back. For instance, many beginners like to sit down hard when falling, or panic and lean backward, risking coccyx injuries. Supporting yourself with one hand can easily injure your wrist. So never fall on one hand. For those on alpine skis, quickly drop your poles and hug your arms around your chest, tucking into a ball as you fall.
Also, never try to stand up immediately after a fall. First, figure out where it hurts. If no joints are dislocated, gently move them and try standing up with help. But if you feel pain in the hip joint, or in the thoracic or lumbar spine, do not try to sit or stand up, as it may cause more serious displacement or injury. Also, assess the severity of the injury yourself. If there’s bleeding, don’t rub the snow on it—bandage it immediately. If you suspect a fracture, immobilize it with a splint right away.