How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 28 severe cases involving snow sports equipment, with fractures accounting for 57% of all reported incidents. These injuries often require extensive medical intervention and surgery to address broken bones and internal trauma.
The physical toll of these incidents is significant, with lower legs being the most frequently affected body part at 25% of cases. You face risks of long-term impairment due to the nature of high-impact falls on ice and snow.
Common injuries
Injuries in this category exclusively involve skis and snow sports equipment. Common scenarios include catching an edge on inconsistent snow, collisions with students or guests, and falls during routine mountain sweeps.
| 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 & Entertainment accounts for 82% of these severe incidents. This concentration exists because you are exposed to unpredictable terrain and the actions of guests while performing your daily job duties.
Real cases like yours
Reports frequently describe you sustaining fractures after catching an edge on uneven snow or being struck by students during lessons. These incidents often occur during standard operations like closing sweeps or while escorting guests. If your injury occurred during similar professional duties, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine if your employer failed to provide a safe working environment.
| 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 work duties are generally covered by Workers' Compensation. This insurance is designed to pay for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages while you recover. An attorney can help you ensure your claim is filed correctly to maximize your benefits.
In most cases, Workers' Compensation is your exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, meaning you cannot sue your employer directly. However, if a third party was involved or if there was gross negligence, other legal avenues might exist. An attorney can evaluate your situation to see if you have grounds for a claim beyond standard Workers' Compensation.
You should immediately report the injury to your supervisor and seek medical attention to document the extent of your fractures or other wounds. Ensure that an official incident report is filed with your employer and OSHA if required. Consulting with an attorney early can help you preserve evidence and protect your rights throughout the recovery process.
OSHA requires your employer to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. While slope conditions can be unpredictable, your employer must still implement safety protocols for your protection. An attorney can investigate whether your employer failed to meet these safety obligations leading up to your injury.