How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 28 severe incidents involving snow sports equipment, with fractures accounting for 57% of all reported cases. These injuries often involve complex breaks that require immediate surgical intervention and extended recovery periods.
The physical toll of these incidents is significant, with lower legs being the most frequently injured body part at 25%. You may face long-term mobility challenges after suffering severe wounds or internal injuries while performing your duties on the mountain.
Common injuries
Injuries in this category almost exclusively involve skis and snow sports equipment. Common scenarios include you colliding with students, losing control on icy patches, or catching an edge while performing routine mountain sweeps. These incidents often occur when terrain conditions are inconsistent or when high-speed movement leads to sudden, violent falls.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fractures | 16 |
| 2 | Multiple severe wounds and internal injuries | 5 |
| 3 | Injuries to the brain, spinal cord and other injuries | 2 |
| 4 | Injuries to internal organs and major blood vessels | 2 |
| 5 | Intracranial Injuries | 2 |
| 6 | Bruises, contusions | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Arts and entertainment accounts for 82% of these severe incidents. This high concentration reflects the daily risks you face as a ski instructor, patroller, or guest services staff member who must navigate unpredictable slopes and student traffic as a core requirement of your employment.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports include collisions with students, equipment failure on uneven snow, and falls during mandatory mountain sweeps. These incidents frequently result in multiple fractures or head injuries that require emergency hospitalization. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine your options.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | CO | Arts & Entertainment | "An employee was going snowboarding down a slope when his snowboard caught and he fell to the ground. The employee sustained a fractured right ankle." | |
| 2025 | NJ | Arts & Entertainment | "A ski instructor was teaching skiing/snowboarding when a student on a snowboard crashed into them. The employee was hospitalized with broken bones that required surgery." | |
| 2025 | NY | Arts & Entertainment | "A ski patrol employee was conducting a "sweep" to ensure all guests were safely off the hill for the night before closing. While approaching the bottom of the mountain, the employee's right ski got caught in an inconsistency in the snow, causing them to fall forward onto their right shoulder. The employee sustained non-displaced fractures in the posterior rib cage, a fractured right scapula, and a fractured right clavicle." | |
| 2025 | ID | Accommodation & Food Services | "A mountain guest services employee was escorting an injured customer to safety on a ski run. The employee was following slowly behind patrollers and a toboggan when he caught an edge and fell on the snow. The employee struck his face and head when he fell. He was hospitalized with a head contusion and a strain." | |
| 2025 | MA | Arts & Entertainment | "On 2/23/2025, a ski instructor was teaching a student when he fell on the snow/ice and struck his head. The employee was hospitalized with a concussion." | |
| 2025 | CO | Arts & Entertainment | "Two employees were raising tower pads on lift towers following a recent snowfall. They were making their way down between towers when the injured employee became unbalanced on a mogul and struck a tree on the edge of the trail with their left shoulder and chest. The employee was hospitalized with a broken clavicle and a pneumothorax." | |
| 2025 | PA | Arts & Entertainment | "An employee was walking in the "runout" area between snow tubing lanes and was adjusting deceleration mats used to slow down the guests. A guest riding a snow tube struck the employee, knocking the employee to the ground. The employee sustained a concussion and a fractured clavicle." | |
| 2025 | PA | Arts & Entertainment | "An employee was skiing in a closed terrain park and went off a jump. Upon landing, the employee struck the ground and sustained internal injuries that required hospitalization and surgery." | |
| 2025 | WV | Arts & Entertainment | "An employee was skiing downhill checking the trails after a competition when their foot caught the edge of a ski and they fell. The employee sustained multiple rib fractures and a pulmonary contusion. " | |
| 2025 | CO | Arts & Entertainment | "An adaptive skiing instructor and a tethered student were skiing down a trail. The student lost control and gained momentum. While the instructor tried to regain control of the student, the two collided. The instructor suffered a fracture to the right tibial plateau." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, fractures sustained while performing your job duties are generally covered by Workers' Compensation. This includes medical expenses, surgery costs, and a portion of your lost wages while you recover. An attorney can help you ensure your claim is filed correctly to include all related medical needs.
Injuries caused by third parties while you are working are still typically covered under your employer's Workers' Compensation policy. The focus remains on the fact that the injury occurred within the scope of your employment. An attorney can help you evaluate whether additional legal avenues exist beyond your standard Workers' Compensation claim.
Proving a work-related injury involves documenting the incident report, gathering witness statements from other staff, and maintaining detailed medical records from your initial hospitalization. Prompt reporting to your supervisor is essential for establishing a clear timeline. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.
Returning to work depends on your specific recovery progress and the physical demands of your role. Your doctor will provide a release, but it is important to ensure you are fully healed to prevent re-injury. An attorney can help you navigate the return-to-work process and protect your rights if your employer pressures you to return before you are ready.