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 sent to the hospital for treatment. He remains in a coma. The racing legend’s injury has touched the hearts of fans worldwide and also served as a wake-up call for skiing enthusiasts. In response, reporters contacted He Wei, a well-known domestic snowboarder, who explained in detail from both a professional perspective and personal experience how skiers can protect themselves while skiing. He also 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 freestyle) discipline. At the 2013 “Air & Style Beijing” competition held last month, he became the first Chinese rider to compete in the event, successfully landing a difficult double cork 900 aerial maneuver. Although he was eliminated in the round of 16, he became the first Chinese rider to complete this trick 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 qualification rounds of the 12th Red Bull Nanshan Open, which will be held there on January 4.
As a professional snowboarder, Xiao Hu has also suffered from injuries. In 2011, he sustained a serious injury during training in New Zealand and had to rest for nearly a year. “I saw the news about Schumacher—he was skiing on alpine skis,” said Xiao Hu. Actually, when it comes to getting started, alpine skiing is much simpler than snowboarding. Once you put on alpine skis, standing upright is not a problem, and with a bit of practice, you can start gliding. Snowboarding is different—just standing and sliding on the board is a big challenge for beginners. “But once you get the hang of it, progress is faster and more fun,” he added. As for safety, “the risks are similar for both snowboarding and alpine skiing, just with some differences in specific movements. The most important thing is to know your limits.”
Part 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 update his condition. Dr. Emmanuel Gay, one of the surgeons treating Schumacher, 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 would certainly not have survived.
Xiao Hu said that the helmet is absolutely the most important piece of gear. Maybe you don’t notice its importance on a normal day, but it might save your life in a critical moment. Even if you think your skills are solid, you might not hit someone else—but they might hit you. “There are too many rookie ‘torpedoes’ on the slopes. It’s like wearing a seatbelt when driving—don’t gamble with your life!”
Another example highlighting the importance of helmets is the famous “Althaus accident” in Schumacher’s home country of Germany. On January 1, 2009, former Thuringian State Governor Dieter Althaus collided with a female skier while skiing in Austria. The helmet Althaus was wearing saved his life, while the woman, who was not wearing a helmet, tragically lost hers.
According to data from the German Ski Association, before the “Althaus accident,” only about a quarter of German skiers wore helmets. Today, although wearing helmets is still not mandatory in Germany, around 80% of skiers voluntarily wear them on the slopes. Andreas Köng, a safety expert at the German Ski Association, 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 snowboards, suits, gloves, and hats can be rented at most resorts, it’s best to prepare your own butt pads, wrist guards, and knee pads in advance. Beginners are bound to fall a lot, and the snow at most domestic resorts isn’t soft powder. “If you’re a beginner and not wearing protective gear, your butt is going to pay the price,” Xiao Hu said with a laugh.
3. Ski goggles are essential — avoid wearing contact lenses if possible
Because of the intense sunlight reflection on snow and the strong cold wind irritating the eyes while skiing, goggles are necessary to protect your eyes. Xiao Hu said that skiing without goggles can easily lead to snow blindness, which may cause permanent damage in severe cases. If you don’t have goggles, sunglasses can be used as a substitute, but those wearing glasses should choose goggles with thicker frames to fully cover their prescription glasses. People with poor vision should avoid wearing contact lenses while skiing—if they fall and lose their lenses, the chances of finding them are almost zero. Also, those worried about cold exposure on their faces should consider wearing a face mask.
Part 2: Terrain — Know your limits and stay on marked runs
Schumacher’s accident was largely due to terrain issues. According to Mr. Simmonin, the general manager of the Méribel ski resort where the accident occurred: “Schumacher chose an area outside the marked ski runs. Given the current weather conditions, these off-piste areas carry significant risks due to hidden obstacles.”
In response, Xiao Hu reminded skiing enthusiasts to plan their routes carefully while on the slopes and not to overestimate their abilities. Often, amateur skiers lose control of their direction and risk colliding with others. Additionally, it’s better to ski earlier in the day because domestic ski resorts tend to get crowded, and the snow on the runs is not usually deep powder. By the afternoon, many areas may become icy, which is very dangerous.
Also, some pre-ski preparations are essential, including warming up your joints. You can also do squats, light jogging, or jumping in place. Overweight individuals and those who don’t exercise regularly should pay extra attention to warm-ups. The most important thing when learning to ski is to progress gradually, and it’s best to take lessons from a coach if possible. When the slopes are crowded, always control your speed, and those higher up on the run should actively yield to those below. Don’t stop in the middle of the run; if you need to rest, move to the sides of the run as soon as possible, where you’ll be visible to others and have enough space to avoid collisions.
Part 3: Technique — Fall proactively
If you fall while skiing, it’s important to do so correctly. 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 the lower back. For instance, many beginners like to sit down hard when falling, or panic and lean backward, which can injure the tailbone. Supporting yourself with one hand can easily sprain your wrist. So never fall on one hand. For those on snowboards, quickly let go of your poles, cross your arms over your chest, tuck into a ball, and fall naturally.
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, with help, try to stand and walk. If you feel pain in the hip joint or in the thoracic or lumbar spine, do not try to sit or stand up, as this may cause more serious displacement or injury. Additionally, assess the severity of the injury. If there’s bleeding, don’t rub it with snow—bandage it right away. If you suspect a fracture, immobilize it with a splint immediately.