Cross Country Skiing - Common Risks

Ability and fitness of students

Select a venue appropriate to the skill level of all students in the group.

Collision with solid objects

Clear instruction and supervised practice of stopping and speed control techniques.

Provide a clear brief on speed control and falling over safely to prevent collision.

Collision with other skiers

Students to be briefed to ski under control and falling over safely to prevent collision.

Students to be made aware of the skiers’ responsibility code.

Exposure to cold temperatures and wind

Pre-activity safety briefing on clothing and food required.

Clothing to be checked at commencement as appropriate to the activity and able to accommodate likely weather changes.

Monitoring of weather conditions throughout the activity and being prepared to cancel, modify or relocate the activity as required.

Separation from the group

Clear instruction to students on group management strategy. Regular checks of group number by staff.

Brief to all students at the start of the activity on the procedure to be followed if a student is separated from the group.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation

Broad spectrum sunscreen available for student use throughout the day.

All students to wear sunglasses or goggles to protect their eyes from glare off the snow.