Skiing Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Overconfidence leading to high-speed skiing — Emphasize the importance of staying within personal limits during the lesson briefing. Instructors should monitor participants closely and correct overconfident behavior by setting clear speed limits, adjusting the slope difficulty, and reinforcing the importance of control over speed.
• Inadequate safety equipment — Conduct thorough pre-lesson checks on all safety equipment, such as helmets, goggles, and padding, ensuring they are in good condition and properly fitted to each participant. Instructors should also carry spare equipment to replace any damaged items immediately.
• Getting lost or disoriented on the slopes — Instructors should provide participants with a map of the skiing area and establish a designated meeting point in case anyone gets lost. Ensure participants are familiar with the layout of the area and that ski patrol personnel are available for assistance.
• Miscommunication on the slope — Implement clear communication protocols, including hand signals or radios, to ensure instructors and participants can communicate effectively on the slope. Provide a briefing before the session to establish communication methods and assign a lead instructor to coordinate the group.
• Skiing in poor weather conditions (e.g., blizzards or high winds) — Closely monitor weather forecasts before and during the lesson. If conditions become too dangerous, such as whiteouts or heavy snowfall, the session should be paused or relocated to a safer, sheltered area. Teach participants how to ski in low-visibility conditions with slower speeds and enhanced caution.