Supervision of school and youth groups on lift-served ski slopes: A research perspective

• Published in: Australian journal of outdoor education 2014-07, Vol.17 (2), p.30-42
• Main Authors: Brookes, Andrew, Holmes, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accident Prevention; Adventure Education; Athletics; Creative Activities; Curriculum Studies; Death; Departments; Drills (Practice); Education; Educational aspects; Environmental and Sustainability Education; Guidelines; Influences; Injuries; Leaders; Leadership Responsibility; Literature Reviews; Methods; Outdoor Education; Politics of Education; Prevention; Recreational Activities; Refereed Article; Safety; Safety and security measures; Safety Equipment; School Councils; School safety; Ski resorts; Skiing; Skis and skiing; Sociology of Education; Supervision; Supervisors; Teaching Methods; Winter sports; Young Children
• ISSN: 2206-3110; 1324-1486; 2522-879X
• DOI: 10.1007/BF03400968

Supervised practice is a common feature of many snow sports excursions to downhill ski resorts by school or youth groups, often in combination with lessons from a ski school. What is the role of supervision in preventing mishaps, injury, or fatalities? This article presents results of a search of published snow sports safety research for evidence and findings that have implications for supervision. p] We sought and examined published research that had the potential to inform supervision practice, with a particular emphasis on more recent publications and review articles. The premise was that insights into accident patterns and causes could improve injury prevention and safety decisions in organisations and in the field, should those insights be applied. p] The study examined: How death and serious injury arise in somewhat different circumstances than more common, less serious injury; use of helmets and other protection; the effectiveness of ski lessons in preventing injury; potential for monitoring the application of lessons; understanding environmental hazards and any relationship with slope classification. We noted that patterns and causes of injury in terrain parks are distinct enough to warrant separate treatment, and should not be regarded as part and parcel of overall supervision of skiing or snowboarding.