How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 28 severe cases involving snow sports equipment, highlighting the significant risks you face as mountain resort staff. Fractures account for 57% of these incidents, often resulting from high-impact collisions or sudden falls on icy terrain.
These injuries frequently target the lower legs, which sustain 25% of all reported trauma. Beyond immediate bone breaks, you may face complex recovery paths involving internal injuries and concussions that require long-term medical attention.
How these injuries happen
Injuries involving snow sports equipment almost exclusively stem from direct ski, snowboard, and sled incidents. These events typically occur when your equipment catches on uneven snow, causing a sudden fall, or when you are struck by guests during instruction or mountain sweeps.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ski, snowboard, and sled incidents | 28 |
Where injuries happen most
Arts and entertainment accounts for 82% of all reported incidents, as this sector encompasses the majority of ski resorts and winter recreation facilities. Employers in this industry must manage high-speed environments where equipment failure or human error can lead to severe, life-altering injuries for you.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports include instructors being struck by students, staff catching edges on snow inconsistencies during routine patrols, and sudden falls on icy slopes. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine if employer negligence contributed to your injury.
| 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, if you were injured while performing your job duties, you are generally entitled to Workers' Compensation benefits regardless of the specific sport or equipment involved. This includes coverage for medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages during your recovery. An attorney can help you navigate the claims process to ensure your employer provides the support you are owed.
Employers often label severe injuries as simple accidents to avoid liability, but many of these incidents result from failure to maintain safe slopes or provide adequate training. You should document the exact conditions of the slope and any equipment issues immediately. An attorney can help you gather evidence to prove that your employer failed to meet safety standards.
Ski instructors are employees and are entitled to the same Workers' Compensation protections as any other worker. If you were injured while teaching or performing your assigned duties, your employer is responsible for your medical care and lost income. An attorney can help you file your claim if your employer attempts to deny your benefits.
Snowboard accidents frequently result in severe fractures and intracranial injuries that may require surgery and extensive physical therapy. These injuries can lead to permanent impairment or chronic pain that impacts your ability to return to work. An attorney can help you calculate the full extent of your damages to ensure your settlement covers future medical needs.