Know What Lies Beneath: The Risks Of Injury Can be Obscured

The risk of ski or snowboard injury is currently around 1 in 1,000 skiers per day. Like many statistics this hides a lot.  The risk of injury is significant, but actually half what it was twenty years ago. But it’s my firm view, since skiing with many groups of people,  that there are still those people who are much more likely to be involved in injury than others. You probably know them.

This article is about avoiding injury, and much less about the gear you can buy to protect yourself. Wear a helmet — for sure. But engage what’s inside it to save you, much more than relying on the plastic surrounding it.

My interest in sports injury goes back to the days not long after I took up paragliding. It has therefore been for twenty years that I have studied and learnt the importance of one’s own mental state for enhancing personal safety. Our thoughts take on a critical significance when managing risk. Ignore the high risk factors and eventually it will lead to injury, or fatality. This is true  in all adventure sports from base jumping to motor sports.

Applying risk assessment sounds as dull as ditch water — eapcially when you are focused on maximising ski holiday fun. But if you invest a few moments to ensure that the most fabulous days of our lives in the mountains are low risk  — you could save pain and hours, or months, being patched up in hospital.

The recent higher number of accidents, and fatalities, in Bulgaria this season highlight the risks that some expert skiiers choose to take. But were they chosen in the knowledge of the full facts available? Expert or beginner we should assess all the risks — from weather conditions and weather forecast, our physical condition to snow type, avalanche warnings to survival equipment.

Please invest a few moments reading my top eleven ski and snowboard injury avoidance tips:

1.  Positive Mental State

Has your partner pressurised you  to ski? Are you anxious about the thought of hitting the slopes?  If this is you, then only go skiing when you are relaxed. Never ski when overly stressed — and certainly not when over tired. Recognise your mental state. Best to have one day off, than spend the next six months out of action. Always learn from a professional instructor. Is this your ever enthusiastic partner? Almost definitely he/she is unlikely to be equipped with the skills  to help you progress you. The psychological process of learning to ski or snowboard should be based on desire — not coercion.

2.  End Of The Day “Last Run”

Make your last run of the day a really good one. One where you could do more. Not a time where you are struggling and wishing that you were safely ensconced in the apres ski bar… rather than half way up the mountain. Pushing yourself outside safe limits, causes your risk of injury to soar. That last ski run is proven to be one of the biggest risks of the sport.

3.  Fitness

Be honest with yourself and your own fitness levels. If you are reading this, and you still have a week or two to go before leaving for the resort, then it’s not too late to go jogging or cycling. These are both effective exercises that will increase your on piste stamina and enjoyment.

4.  Learn The Technique for Different Snow Conditions

Most skiiers and boarders are scared of ice. The psychological and physiological tension that the piercing screech of skis and snowboards on ice fill most with fear. This need not be the case: grab a good instructor and you’ll learn how to deal with the different types of snow. Remember that most professional downhill competitions are held on ice. You too can learn to not fear the ice.

5.  Have The Correct Gear: Keep It Serviced

If your boots are over ten years old, you should be seriously thinking of confining them to the plastic ski boot graveyard of the past. Wear a helmet. For snowboarding; protective back, wrist, head…. protective everything is best for learning.

Service your board and skis every seven days for maximum control, and fun. You’ll find waxing means less need to walk or poll on the flat bits. It means much more feel. Freshly sharp ebededges increase control. Any damage should be repaired immediately. Don’t lie about your weight when hiring skis! The weight setting affects how your skis will come off to avoid injury.

6.  Don’t Show Off For The Camera Or For Friends

If you are naturally competitive, you could feel peer pressure to take the lift to pistes that you are not yet ready for. Politely decline the offer. Want to show off making jumps for the camera? Check out you tube videos for the crashes that so inevitably follow action for camera ready friends. Carshes happen because the camera is there. Also see point 2 above.

7.  Learn How To Fall

Relax and if on skis, keep your knees together. Cruciate ligament kness injury is the biggest problem in skiing. Fractures are a lot less common these days with modern skis, boots and bindings.

8. Understand Piste Etiquette

Rest at the side of the piste. If you snowboard, avoid resting just on the fall line, in the middle of the piste. You are risking collision. Look up the hill when joining a piste lower down. Overtaking skiier/boarder keeps clear.

9.  Ski Like A Good Motorcyclist

Anticipate the worst. Leave a wide margin in case the person near to you falls. Look ahead and around, rather than at your skis. It will help your skiing too.

10. Off Piste: Understand The Risks

Never go of piste in a new resort without a fully qualified guide and then only with all the gear such as shovel and transponders. If a piste is closed, it’s for a good reason.

11. Trees: Avoid Them

A helmet is all good. But avoiding the risk of hurting your head is the priority. Most serious injuries and fatalities, outside avalanches, involve hitting trees or a fixed object. Think about the terrain and what you’ll hit if you fall.

Conclusion

Bansko is not the ideal off piste training ground. Try the US or the Alps to gain experience. Arguably Pamporovo, Borovets and Panichishte are better for this. Stay safe. Inspect the qualifications of anyone acting as an off piste guide. Take responsibility. Check weather forecast carefully and heed avalanche risk warnings.

Stay safe this winter season. If you have any comments on ski/board safety please make them below.

Tip Of The Day

It’s BanskoBlog’s first birthday party on Friday 19th February. I’ve teamed up with JJ Murphy’s in Bansko — who are also one year old. We have the amazing Ani Lozanova and her band rocking us through the night. Get there early and subscribe for a free beer that evening  and your 15% off family dining at JJ Murphy’s.

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Bansko weather. Clear blue skies and over 90cm of snow on upper runs and 70cm on lower. The current very cold weather should mean excellent Christmas skiing, although temperatures look as if they will rise. Most runs are open. No lift queues — and excellent snow conditions already reported.

21st December: Gondola Base Station

Thanks to Frank Nadler for these pictures today. More fab pictures from Nikola Chongarov here:

http://banskoblog.com/2009/12/snow-sun-and-snow-time/

Some more photos from the Bansko town and a view up the Glazne river, all taken this morning, Monday 21st December.

Borovets is now open and also has excellent snow cover. Like Bansko, Borovets will have good ski conditions for at least the next six days. Some more cloud on its way, but should still be very skiable and looking sunny for Thursday and Christmas Day.

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Bansko Gondola Lift Base Station

Bansko lift pass prices 09/10 remain the same as last season. Prices range from 40 leva (EUR20.50) per day from 1st April 2010 to 55 leva (EUR 28 approx) per day high season. With mid season (to 23/12/09 and between 11/1/10 and 31/3/10) 50 leva (EUR 25.60) per day. Season lift pass is a wallet emptying 860 leva (EUR 441 approx). For children up to 12 years old the mid season lift pass is 30 leva day. UPDATE: 2010/11 prices the same as 09/10 season.

Click Lift pass prices 2012

In spite of the season ticket being two months salary for many Bulgarian workers, this is Bansko!  The fact is, that if you plan around 17 days or more of Bansko skiing this season, then investing in a season ticket makes sense – saves time and hassle too.

Now the GOOD NEWS… the prepay deal with BanskoBlog.com 20% discount off in resort ski /board hire and up to 60% off with the ski packages (tuition, ski/board hire). Pay in UK Pounds or EUROS.

Beginner courses start at just 230 euros per person for 4 hours instruction per day, ski/board boot hire, 6 day lift pass. For lift pass inclusive packages you need to book up 7 days in advance.  Just turn up and with your prepaid voucher you pick up your lift pass (no need for photo) and voucher for rental and instruction. It couldn’t be simpler. We work with BanskoSkiMania in Bansko, both jsut have a guaranteed 8 maximum in class (although average is four) and professional instruction… this school is recommend.

Both hire shops are very close to  the gondola lift and you can leave your skis and boots at the shops at the end of your day on the slopes. All have equipment which is either this season or last. Both service the skis between rental, including sharp edges and hot waxing.

This deal is only at prepaid price.

Four Steps To Book Your Discouted Ski Package

1. subscribe here at BanskoBlog.com, and attached will be a SKI PACKAGE form to fill in and email back to us
2. a quote will be sent to you for the two options
3. you will then be instructed to pay BanskoBlog.com by PAYPAL
4. you receive your voucher

If you just need a 6 day lift pass, and its seven days before you arrive, then please go direct to LIFT PASS page to pay for your discounted lift pass (adult €136 compared to €147.5 in resort). You will then receive an email detailing voucher pick up instructions (by the gondola). There are other Bulgaria resorts, such as Borovets, It’s a competitive world — and all of them charge much less for a lift pass than Bansko. OK, none of then enjoy all the snow making machines, and modern lift system of Bansko, but some charge no more than 15 leva (€7 approx) a day. So after a good dump of snow, I’ll be venturing into some of these smaller ski zones. Read on for why I think Bansko has not got a CLUE on how to promote itself — and why, for families, these prices are too high. Bansko Lift Pass Prices 09/10 from 01.12.2009 to 23.12.2009 inclusive and from 11.01.2010 to 31.03.201 inclusive

from 24.12.2009 to 10.01.2010 inclusive

from 01.04.2010 to 30.04.2010 inclusive

The season pass isn’t a subject to other price reductions. Mountain Insurance Include. VAT included.

Exchange rates

Value For Money? If you add up the approximate total cost for a family of four taking a ski holiday in a large two bedroom apartment including accommodation, transfer, lift pass, food and wine. you still get change out of EUR 1,600.  How? EUR 400  flights (EUR 100 each) EUR 400 — for 2 bed apartment ‚EUR 630 for 4 lift passes (2 adult s + 2 children) Save money by prepaying a 6 day lift pass ‚EUR 160  for food and wine (eating in + sandwiches for lunch) TOTAL: EUR 1,590 And for partying skiers where the night life involves drinking and clubs , then the savings on a night out really mount up compared to most of the Alps.

In the Alps (and much of the USA) a large  beer is EUR 9 compared to, typically, around 3 leva (EUR 1.5 approx) in ski season Bansko. But can be a lot less. For smarter bars and clubs expect 5 lev (EUR 2.5).

Why Bansko Needs Better Promotion? Bansko and the lift operator, ULEN need much better promotion. Everything is more competitive this year. Deciding to come to ski in Bansko competes with everything… like staying at home and watching TV, a hot vacation. In quiet periods ULEN should be really offering enticing deals such as: “buy 2 adult lift passes, get one child for FREE” or like the Three Valleys a “family of four discount” For example, the family lift pass price for the three valleys in France is EUR 742! More expensive, but better lift pass value than Bansko for the number of lifts and pistes you receive. Other deals Bansko could offer are:

• seniors lift pass deal
• beginners lift pass deal

Then there is are the key methods that are used to sell a product or service… PR, Advertising and Social Media (twitter, facebook, myspace etc). Bulgaria lags so far behind in the race with its competitors that they have barely moved from the starting line. The opportunity to promote this mountain resort as a quality value and all year round destination is there for the taking. World class golf, MTB, hiking, culture, jazz festival, film festival. Bansko should learn to embrace the new promotional tools to reap the huge benefits it provides to the local economy. At the moment, I have not much evidence of a Bansko that can adapt to market conditions. That all said, Skyscanner has just reported that flight searches for central and eastern europe are UP 154% on last year. This will mean that Bansko will prosper and benefit from the economic crisis. (UPDATE: IT DID 6% UP in 09/10 ski season.)

Conclusion I still believe Bansko offers an excellent value destination, but time will tell if they have their lift pass pricing correct this season. It may be Bansko will really evolve into the St Moritz of Eastern Europe. Yes really! I recently wrote about high end ski fashion having arrived in Bansko — and here there is more wealth than most would expect.

But if the future of Bansko’s growth and success is upscale tourism, then it must market its uniqueness and value. And deliver customer satisfaction in spades. Is Bansko an excellent value destination. Do you agree or disagree? Please comment below. Sign up for my “snogs” (snow blogs), lots of video reports. Be sure to take a look at ski fashion review 2010: http://banskoblog.com/2009/11/ski-fashion-2010/. Top brands revealed — and where to buy them in Bansko, Sofia, UK and online … …and please comment, email, twitter or call me on anything Bansko.

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Bulgarians are accused of illegal development, flouting environmental rules and ignoring building regulations. BanskoBlog investigates.

The accusations are simple. Environmentalists claim much of the expansion of the country’s ski areas has been done on land that is protected by international and national law.

With Bulgaria now in the European Union, the EC is currently looking at numerous complaints by environmental groups about such developments, whilst public surveys in the country have also revealed most of the population is against illegal ski resort development.

A few years ago the 3 main ski areas in Bulgaria – Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo – were small and under-developed but there has been rapid expansion of all 3 and there are currently 11 other ski area developments going through the planning process.

Bansko is accused by environmental groups of building on 150 hectares of National Park without an Environmental Impact Assessment act (EIA) and of cutting down trees to create ski runs without the proper authoristations.

The resort denies the allegations.

In Borovets the resort is taking the accusations seriously and is applying for an environmental certification for the new Super Borovets ski resort that is currently going through the planning application process.

The 750m euro ski area announced plans to apply for an EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) eco certificate which guarantees that all work, products and services will be done in accordance with the highest European environmental management standards.

No Bulgarian company has so far been issued with an EMAS certificate, as the building process and the finished development has to meet strict standards.

The resort must be powered by “green infrastructure” or renewable electricity.

The plan will also see every existing hotel in Borovets upgraded so that it receives “Eco marking” which means it meets strict criteria mainly in regard to heat and water management, among other factors.

“We hope to create a positive image for Super Borovets so that all eco-activists will be assured that we will develop the tourist facilities and services in such ways that the environment will not be harmed,” says Julia Arabadzhieva, the director of the project.

Environmental groups have said they do not trust the motives of the construction firms. They believe that after the permissions are granted for construction the resort operations will revert to normal standards rather than sticking to the EMAS certification requirements.

I say Bulgaria really has to demonstrate its environmental credentials. Both Super Borovets and nearby on the western end of the Rila and Super Panichishte (above Sapareva Banya) will make excellent ski domains to compete with Bansko.

I have yet to give my personal review of both these alternative mountain resorts, as well as Pamporovo, but will when time allows. But all of which I have been to. And of course they have their pros and cons in comparison to Bansko. For now though there is no doubt for those who don’t want to feel as if they are totally alone during the week, then Bansko is your best bet as it has the largest all year round local resident population.

For anyone thinking of taking an alternative mountain trip then head for the famous seven Rila Lakes. This for many Bulgarians in their top attraction. Its very special and absolutely worth a trip round to the north face of the Rila.

Numbers of hikers here will increase with the opening of a new chair lift – which is expected to open on summer weekends and takes visitors close to the 7 Lakes. This lift was not built without a large dose of controversy of course!

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