Interesting data emerging from a study on the connection between British skiers drinking habits and injuries reports. INews reports more than 1,000 Brits a day get injured on skiing holidays after hitting the booze. Additionally, the research found that 5.3 million skiers say they drink on the slopes, having on average about 6 drinks but there is also almost one million people that admit to having 10 drinks.
Researchers found that skiers are 43% more likely to be involved in a crash after drinking. In the past 5 years alone, 3.8 million people reported injuries while skiing that were a direct result of drinking. A third of people polled believed alcohol gave them more confidence on the slopes and made them a better skier but even drinking alcoholic three units (equivalent to a large glass of wine) skiers’ decision-making process was impaired.
“Drinking doesn’t exactly improve judgement or technical capability though. If you’re over the limit to drive a car, you probably shouldn’t be going down any ski slopes. Going down a mountain pissed is a completely stupid idea.
You’ll see drinkers get kicked out as the bars close up, and then ski off rather than take a gondola or another way back down. We certainly know that especially on the sunnier days, where people have extra long lunches, quite a few people will be over the drink-drive limit.
I remember a client telling me about their child being injured by a drunk skier crashing into them. An adult might notice a drunk adult, but a child may not… but either way, usually a drunk skier will hit you from behind, so it’s a total surprise.” –Wilderness Medical Training Director Barry Roberts
We aren’t a bunch of teetotalers but we also believe that skiing should always be done responsibly. Hurtling down double black diamonds after guzzling a few double Johnnie Walker Blacks is a bad look. Leave the boozing for the base and don’t even think about getting on the road if you’re buzzing. Be safe, have fun, be responsible.
images from needpix.com & youtube