A hole is seen in the ski resort's safety net (circled).
As winter arrives, tourists flock to experience the joy of ice and snow activities. Ski enthusiasts and beginners alike head to ski resorts to show off their skills. Recently, reporters visited several ski resorts in Harbin and found that improper setup of safety facilities, poor management, and lack of safety awareness among skiers are three major "traps" leading to frequent skiing accidents.
Ski resort management is somewhat chaotic
At around 13:00 on the 15th, reporters arrived at Shangzhi Haohanpo Ski Resort. Following other visitors, they went to the rental shop located halfway up the mountain. The staff did not ask for shoe size before handing over the ski boots and boards. Soon after, at the entrance of the rental area, reporters noticed that ski poles of varying lengths were haphazardly strewn on the ground, and skiers had to pick their own. Many of the poles were scratched and had lost their paint. The ski area was enclosed by safety nets supported by wooden stakes about 10 cm in diameter, wrapped with approximately 2 cm thick foam. Reporters observed that some nets had holes of various sizes; if skiers crash into them at high speed, serious injuries could easily occur.
Within the resort, nearly a hundred visitors crowded the only available slope, most of them learning basic techniques from instructors. However, some daring beginners chose to ski down steep slopes on their own at high speeds. Due to the dense crowd, one man knocked down two tourists before falling hard himself. During nearly two hours of observation, reporters witnessed five beginners knock others over before falling. Although there were instructors on site, many were not wearing uniform attire. One instructor said he only received 15 days of training before starting work.
Improper measures increase injury risk
Skiing is a high-risk sport. It is reported that every winter, hospitals in Harbin treat numerous people injured while skiing. According to the city’s Orthopedic Hospital, the facility admits skiing-related patients almost daily, with up to ten cases on peak days. Most are soft tissue contusions, sprains, or ligament strains, but more severe cases involve fractures. It is understood that most injuries result from falls or collisions with other skiers.
Industry insiders say that skiing is a high-risk activity. Outdated facilities, poor management, and other uncertain factors can all easily cause injuries. In addition, many injuries also occur when skiers, lacking safety awareness, venture onto slopes beyond their skill level.
How to ski most safely
In recent years, compensation disputes related to skiing have occurred frequently. A lawyer stated that ski resort operators have an obligation to ensure visitor safety, in addition to providing services. If a skier is injured due to aging equipment, poor management, or failure to install safety facilities according to regulations, the operator should bear civil liability for compensation based on the degree of fault.
How can skiers "hit the slopes safely"? Industry insiders suggest that first, skiers can purchase insurance when buying lift tickets at some ski resorts. In case of an accident, they can claim partial medical expense reimbursement based on the insurance type. Second, do not seek cheap options; choose well-equipped, formal ski resorts and hire qualified instructors. Moreover, skiers should improve their safety awareness—especially beginners—who should select slopes suitable for their skill levels and avoid crowded areas. If an accident occurs, do not attempt to rescue blindly; contact professional ski patrol personnel immediately.