Foolhardy skiers and snowboarders face a growing risk of death and serious injury, according to research published today.

While the general injury rate among winter sports enthusiasts has declined since the 1970s, largely as a result of better equipment, the risks of serious injuries appears to be increasing, say a group of Canadian doctors led by Charles Tator, of Toronto Western Hospital.

The team looked at 24 studies from ten countries and found that traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries were increasing. Men were more likely to be hurt than women, and the authors blame increased speeds and a growing tendency for people to jump and perform acrobatic manoeuvres. Snowboarders appear to be at greater hazard than skiiers, they conclude in Injury Prevention. One Norwegian report found that snowboarders were three to four times as likely to suffer injury, while a Canadian study found that they were 50 per cent more likely to have head and neck injuries.

read the full article at TimesOnline.co.uk