Ski and Snowboard Injuries at Work — Injury Statistics and Claims Information
Ski and Snowboard Injuries at Work
Winter sports injuries show rising incident frequency
OSHA data identifies 28 severe incidents involving skis, snowboards, and sleds. Fractures account for 57.1 percent of these cases, representing the most common nature of injury reported by workers in these environments.
These incidents frequently result in severe trauma to the lower legs and head. With 25 percent of injuries affecting the lower legs and 10 percent involving the brain, the physical toll often requires extensive surgical intervention and long-term recovery.
What's Driving the Trend?
The data shows a clear upward trajectory with 16 incidents in 2024 rising to 21 in 2025. This trend is driven entirely by the use of ski and snowboard equipment, which serves as the primary source of injury across all recorded cases.
The arts and entertainment industry accounts for 82.1 percent of these severe reports. This concentration reflects the high-risk nature of ski instruction and patrol duties where employees are exposed to unpredictable terrain and high-speed collisions.
Injury Types from Ski and Snowboard Injuries
Top causes based on OSHA incident reports
Injuries in this sector typically stem from high-speed collisions, equipment malfunctions, or hazardous terrain conditions. Employees often suffer fractures when their gear catches on snow inconsistencies or when they are struck by students and guests during active instruction.
| 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 |
Why This Matters for Your Case
Employers must maintain safe slopes and provide adequate training under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act. When equipment failure or poor trail maintenance leads to severe injury, employers may be in violation of 29 CFR 1904.39 reporting standards and broader safety protocols.
Industries with Most Ski and Snowboard Injuries
Where these injuries occur most frequently
The arts and entertainment sector bears the highest burden with 82.1 percent of all reported cases. Ski instructors and patrol staff face constant exposure to variable ice conditions and the unpredictable behavior of resort guests.
High-Risk Industries and Your Rights
Resort operators are required to implement rigorous safety management systems to mitigate risks on the mountain. Compliance with 29 CFR 1910.132 regarding personal protective equipment and 29 CFR 1910.141 for sanitation and safety is essential for protecting staff in these high-risk environments.
Real Incident Reports
From actual OSHA investigation files
Reported incidents reveal a pattern of preventable accidents involving instructors and patrol staff. Common themes include equipment catching on surface irregularities, collisions with students, and falls occurring during routine mountain sweeps that result in multiple fractures and head trauma.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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. "
"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."
Common Questions About Ski and Snowboard Injuries Claims
The ClaimsBoost Research Team aggregates official government data to help workers understand workplace injury trends and their coverage options.
ClaimsBoost is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ClaimsBoost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government agency. Performance scores, rankings, and statistics displayed on this site are calculated by ClaimsBoost using publicly available government data from OSHA severe injury reports. Individual results may vary. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of benefits. If you need legal help, we can connect you with licensed attorneys in your area.Some written content on this page was created with the assistance of AI to help interpret and explain the data. AI can make mistakes — all content has been reviewed for accuracy, but we encourage you to verify any information that is important to your situation.