The objective of our study was to evaluate incidence rates and profile of school program ski and snowboard-related injuries by school grade group using a historical cohort design. Injuries were identified via Accident Report Forms completed by ski patrollers. Severe injury was defined as those with ambulance evacuation or recommending patient transport to hospital. Poisson regression analysis was used to examine the school grade group-specific injury rates adjusting for risk factors (sex, activity, ability, and socioeconomic status) and accounting for the effect of clustering by school. Forty of 107 (37%) injuries reported were severe. Adolescents (grades 7-12) had higher crude injury rates (91 of 10 000 student-days) than children (grades 1-3: 25 of 10 000 student-days; grades 4-6: 65 of 10 000 student-days). Those in grades 1-3 had no severe injuries. Although the rate of injury was lower in grades 1-3, there were no statistically significant grade group differences in adjusted analyses. Snowboarders had a higher rate of injury compared with skiers, while higher ability level was protective. Participants in grades 1-3 had the lowest crude and adjusted injury rates. Students in grades 7-12 had the highest rate of overall and severe injuries. These results will inform evidence-based guidelines for school ski/snowboard program participation by school-aged children.

BackgroundParticipating in school sanctioned skiing and snowboarding programs is a great way to encourage physical activity in youth. However, there is little evidence on the rates of ski and snowboard injuries in school programs. This information is important to inform guidelines on appropriate activities for school physical education programs.ObjectiveTo evaluate incidence of grade group-specific ski and snowboard-related injuries.DesignHistorical cohort study.SettingSki and snowboard school programs hosted at a ski area in Southern Alberta, Canada.ParticipantsStudents partaking in skiing/snowboarding during the 2013–2014 season at a ski area in Southern Alberta (N=16260 visits).Assessment of Risk FactorsRisk factors observed include grade (1–3, 4–6, 7–12), ability (self-rated skill level), sex, activity and socioeconomic status (SES).Main Outcome MeasurementsInjury rates and injury severity. Injury information was extracted from Accident Report Forms completed by the ski patrol. Severe injuries were defined as patient final destination listed as hospital. Rate denominator data were obtained from school enrolment forms.ResultsForty of 107 (24%) injuries reported to the ski patrol were severe. Adolescents (grade 7–12) were found to have a higher crude rate of injury (91/10,000 visits) than children (grades 1–3: 25/10,000 visits; grades 4–6: 25/10,000 visits). When adjusted for other observed risk factors (sex, activity, ability and SES) no significant differences were found for rate of injury between the three grade groups (1–3, 4–6 and 7–12). No severe injuries were observed in the grade 1–3 group.ConclusionsResults indicate that participants in the grade 1–3 group had the lowest crude and adjusted rate of injury and did not sustain any severe injuries. Respectively, the grade 7–12 group had the highest rate of crude injury, both overall and severe. These results will help inform ski and snowboard programs and safety guidelines for physical activity programs in schools.