by Jerome Foo

Created on: February 13, 2007   Last Updated: May 13, 2007

If you've been snowboarding before, it's no doubt happened to you. Ice. As a basic rule however, the best recipe for staying safe is prevention and preparation. If you are a professional skier/snowboarder then with your skill you may be able to handle most situations, but there are some precautions that everyone should take before heading out on the slopes.

1)Wear a helmet. A good one. Look for one approved by your country's safety standards. It is inevitable that you will hit an icy patch or tree or rock at some point in your snowsport career- and a helmet is a good investment that can save your life.

2)Wear goggles. Sunglasses work too, but they can easily be disloged through a bumpy course. Getting a good pair of goggles will help you make out the outlines of the snow and help you plan your descent properly. Going without any eye protection makes it difficult to see, and the risk of snow blindness is high.

3)Get the right equipment. Spend the money to get a quality set of gear. Don't skimp on any part of the set- if you are unsure, ask the people who are selling the equipment, or get a friend who is more familiar with snowboards to help you out. Better equipment is likely to last longer as well as be safer. Once you're on the hill- are your boots too tight? Are your bindings set correctly for your posture? Is your board too long? Remember, if you're a beginner, longer means more speed, but less control. Err on the side of caution. And always make sure that your equipment is in top shape before you head out on the hill.

4)Dress right. Yes, you may start to warm up once you start moving, but if you have to sit on the chair life on the way up you will freeze. And if you are frozen, it's less likely that your body will be able to function as you want it to when you hit that icy patch.

5)Go only as fast as your skill allows. If you know you can't recover after a huge jump, don't take it. Practice the small jump first (the same goes with the terrain park). If not, you will be a danger to others around you, not only yourself.

6)Don't go alone. This is especially important if you're on the mountains. Always go with a friend, and bring walkie talkie's. That way, if you or someone else gets hurt, there will be some way for you to get help.

These tips are a basic outline of safety measures to be taken out on the slopes. They are by no means comprehensive.... just remember to use your common sense. If you snowboard safe, you will live to snowboard again another day!

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