Research by SportsCover Direct – offering comprehensive, specialist and unique insurance products to those involved in the sports and leisure activities – analysed its recent* first-party claims data which revealed that 60.4% of the recent winter sports claims received made reference to at least one injury type.
Using this data to decipher which injuries were most common on winter sports holidays, the analysis found that knee injuries were the most common overall, with approximately 21% of winter sports claims noting an injury citing this body part. Shoulder (approximately 18%) and leg (approximately 13%) injuries were the second and third most likely to be cited in claims. Other injuries relating to hands, head, arms, hips, ribs, face, feet, ankles, back, elbows, pelvis, throat, and wrists also feature amongst the recent claims.
Looking at the activity types related to these claims, skiing (excluding competitions or race training) accounted for the majority of the claims, almost half (42%). Off piste skiing, snowboarding, ski racing and race training, and off piste snowboarding made up the remainder of the top five. Other activities, such as ski touring, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ice climbing, alpine skiing, and downhill skiing were also listed.
Sean Walsh, Head of Marketing at SportsCover Direct commented: “Most people who get injured from skiing do so for a number of reasons. These include a lack of experience; a loss of control, which leads to collisions; falling, due to poor technique, icy conditions and uneven terrain; or equipment issues, such as poorly fitted or maintained equipment. Skiing on challenging ground, such as steep slopes, moguls or terrain parks, also increases the risk of injury compared to skiing on groomed runs designed for beginners”.
Judy Neville, business manager of the ski school ESF UK, shared insights into her experience of the most common injuries during ski or snowboard holidays, commenting that “the most common injury that people suffer from isn’t really an injury as such, but sore and aching legs and joints. Because skiing and snowboarding requires the use of pressure in the knees and upper legs as well as pushing your shins forward in your ski boot, these aches and pains are the most common. As for mainstream injury, the knees and legs are the first to be affected simply as ski boots are ridged keeping feet and ankles in place so twisted knees would be the most common”.
When asked if these change nearer end-of-season, Judy added that “as the snow conditions change to spring snow in March and April, the differing injuries will come from tired legs and knees ploughing through slushy snow to bumps and bruises if falling over on hard packed slopes”.
Judy Neville – Business Manager at ESF UK
James Vickers, a Doctify rated consultant physiotherapist and rehabilitation and exercise specialist at Marylebone Health, also shared insights into how long common sports injuries typically take to heal, and what physiotherapy is recommended.
His insights revealed the following:
- Broken bones (leg, arm, wrist): Healing time varies. Lower limb breaks, like legs, can take up to 3 months in adults (around 12 weeks), while upper limb breaks usually take about 6 weeks. It really depends on the size and type of break – a small crack is different from a full displacement. These are just rough guidelines
- Fractures (collarbone, finger): Similar to breaks, collarbone falls under the upper limb timeline above (about 6 weeks)
- Torn ligaments (ACL): This depends on the severity of the tear, which is usually graded 1-3 (3 being a complete rupture). A complete ACL rupture often requires surgery. Sometimes, a complete tear might heal with the right environment and bracing, possibly taking around 3 months. Other knee ligaments like the MCL can heal with proper support. Less severe ligament tears (10-90%) might heal around the 6-week mark. Soft tissue injuries generally heal faster, around 3 weeks
- Abrasions (cuts): Skin usually heals pretty quickly, typically within 1 week to 10 days
James Vickers, consultant physiotherapist and rehabilitation and exercise specialist at Marylebone Health
Matt Matson, MCSP HCPC, physiotherapist from Marylebone Health added some insights into concussions:
- Concussion/head injuries: A return-to-function protocol should be followed and you should be monitored carefully for the first 3 weeks at least. The latest international guidelines (updated in 2023) now recommend allowing about 4 weeks for recovery – for everyone, regardless of age. Modern concussion management emphasises active rehabilitation rather than prolonged rest.
Matt added that “when concussion symptoms don’t go away within the normal recovery period, physiotherapy really comes into play. Physiotherapy can help guide someone through this rehabilitation plan, which often starts with low-intensity controlled aerobic exercise, slowly progressing depending on symptoms. Symptoms are individualised, so treatment may vary depending on what is experienced. If headaches and neck pain are an issue, physiotherapy can be helpful to reduce neck stiffness. Due to the whiplash-style nature of concussion, a neck-strengthening exercise program is really important to help regain confidence, strength, and control.
“Sensorimotor (balance) training can also be a really important part of rehabilitation. Additionally, there are physiotherapists who specialise in vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness and balance problems, which may be crucial to recovery. It’s vital to follow a structured return-to-play protocol and consult with healthcare professionals experienced in concussion management”.
Matt Matson, MCSP HCPC, physiotherapist from Marylebone Health
Walsh added: “Some travel insurance policies will exclude skiing, snowboarding and many other activities on the slopes, so if you have an accident and are not covered, you could be left to pick up the bill. Therefore it’s so important to make sure you have the correct cover before any winter sports holidays to financially protect yourself from the costs of receiving medical treatment in a foreign country, should you have an accident on the slopes”.
For more information, visit https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/scd-blog/common-injury-insights-from-winter-sports-claims/
*Based on winter sports claims data from 2024 and 2023 that mention at least one injury
~Sports mentioned are excluding competitions or race training, unless otherwise stated
