Ski & Snowboard Safety Class

By Dr. Carl Wierks

Wintertime in West Michigan is a prime opportunity to enjoy time with friends and family skiing and snowboarding. While these activities can be fun and exhilarating, it is important to know how to keep yourself and others around you safe.

West Michigan Orthopaedics recently partnered with Cannonsburg to host a Ski & Snowboard Safety Class. Cannonsburg Ski Patroller and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Physical Therapist Chris Wise joined me for this free community class.

Chris and I discussed the basics for checking your bindings, optimal skiwear and equipment, tips for sizing your skis and snowboards, the importance of helmet safety, situational awareness and keys to knowing your limits, and essential exercisesto get you appropriately conditioned.

Attendees learned that with the right equipment and a little preparation, you can maximizeyour time on the hill and reduce your chance of injury.