Taking it to the next level with Winter Sports
I'm not sure what it is about us winter sports affectionados, but it seems like when the temperature drops and the white powder falls upon the mountains our recessive gene for stupid activates. I call this cold-stupid! I'm convinced that it's something about the love of the outdoors, our adrenaline pumping at the very thought of slicing through the snow or ice at a high rate of speed, and pure enjoyment all these elements coming together simultaneously. When it's about ice-skating, snowboarding, downhill snow skiing, sledding and similar outdoor winter sports, we'd be wise to not let our cold-stupid recessive gene take over. As much fun as they are, winter sports can be dangerous.
I personally know of people who broke their arm, destroyed their knee requiring multiple surgeries, a concussion (skiing into a tree), a broken ankle, and one person ignoring the orange barrier and skiing over a cliff (they died). Clearly, some of these major winter sport injuries and accidents could have been prevented. I realize there's an element of risk for those of us who love winter sports. Honestly, that's part of what seems almost addictive to some of us. Still, and especially early in the season or your first time out in awhile -- say a few years -- use some common sense for goodness sakes.
Let's just say, for example, you haven't been on the slopes in a few years. You're older now and have the family or close friends with you, but you were really good back in the day. Rather than starting out day 1 on the double black diamond ski runs, ease into things. It's not necessary for you to prove anything to anyone. You can save that for later in your trip.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with taking a refresher course either! If others in your party are a bit rusty, you take the lead and suggest a group refresher. I assure you, having just one person in your group experience an accident or injury early on seriously messes up your winter sport vacation time even if you are a-okay. You might be fine with being out on the slopes, but every now and then you're mind is going to go back to your friend or family member who is back at the lodge in pain and agony and not out enjoying the winter sports they came for.
Top priority when it comes to Winter Sports
Control! If you're not demonstrating good control on the lesser slopes (like green), advancing to a little more challenging slope is not the thing to do to improve your skills and confidence. Take a class. Practice. Give yourself a break (not literally) and be patient with yourself. If you're of the type-A sort, perhaps it might be wise for you to take a class back home. There are all sorts of options available today where you can practice on the rolling carpet downhill at retail shops that sell the gear. A plus about this for me is that those muscles I haven't used in eons, get a workout before I get to the mountains and I can really enjoy my time much better.
If the power of a snow mobile is your gig, then take the time to get a lay of the land. Most rental agencies will give you a debrief about spots to avoid when you're signing all the waivers and checking you out on their equipment. But it does no good to act the know-it-all. Make sure you and others in your group get their questions asked and answered. Make sure everyone in your group gets a good sense of what your vehicle will and will not do, how it handles, how it stops intentionally.
Winter sports are growing in popularity each year. More people on the slopes and participating in these sort of cold weather activities means more risk for all of us. So, don't be cold-stupid. Use some common sense and practice good safety in all your winter sports activities.
Check out other winter sports on wiki.