Everyone skis - but how?
Having only recently arrived in Switzerland, Thomas Dreher and his family of five are now drawn to the ski slopes. The 38-year-old German is the new head of the paediatric orthopaedics and traumatology department at the Children's Hospital Zurich. He is not afraid of accidents - but he doesn't let his children go on the piste without wrist protectors.
The sports holidays have begun. We imagine that children with broken bones will be coming to your emergency centre all the time.
Since the start of the ski season, we have indeed regularly had patients who have had a skiing accident. There is good medical care in most ski resorts, which is why many can be treated on site. The number in these hospitals is therefore much higher. But the serious cases and those that may require surgery then come to us.
What are the most common injuries you see?
The most common injuries are cruciate ligament ruptures and broken bones: upper and lower leg, elbow and forearm. Serious head or torso injuries are rare in children.
«The younger the children, the lower the risk of injury»
How bad is a broken bone?
Generally speaking, fractures in children heal well and quickly. Most can be treated conservatively, i.e. with plasters and splints. Surgery is required for fractures that involve the joints or where the bone is so displaced that it cannot grow back into the correct position. However, children have a great potential for remodelling. This means that a bone that has grown together slightly bent usually straightens itself out again as it grows.
You are the father of three children. Does your family ski?
Yes, we've just moved here from Heidelberg and it's a pleasure to experience the Swiss people's enthusiasm for winter sports. That's why my children are just starting to do it.
Are you afraid of accidents?
No. Of course you have to expect falls when you're doing a sport at high speeds. That's why I think the most important thing is that they attend an appropriate ski course. And that they wear protectors against frequent and particularly serious injuries: Helmet, back armour and wrist protectors.
We imagine that the paediatrician can always see in his mind's eye what his child's bone will look like if something goes wrong around the next bend - doesn't that spoil the fun of skiing?
No. I see it as an advantage: if something happens, I know how to behave and can judge whether the bone is really broken. Sport and fun are part of life, and in a more aggressive sport like alpine skiing there is a certain risk of injury. The risk has to be weighed up against the fact of how good it is for you to exercise when you do sport. I certainly don't want to deprive my children of anything that other children do, just because I know what could happen in the worst case scenario.
From a medical point of view, is there a minimum age to start skiing?
No. Generally speaking, the younger children are, the lower the risk of injury because they still have a lot more cartilage and are more elastic. Various studies have shown that school-age children injure themselves more often than younger children - or even adolescents. Of course, three or four-year-olds should not be chased down the steepest slopes. But there are suitable slopes, there are sliding skis and ski courses for small children. Why shouldn't you let your children do this?
Are second-hand skis enough? And how do I teach my child to ski? Read 8 answers to 8 questions for the Swiss Ski Association on the next page.
Skiing is expensive. Will second-hand equipment from the winter exchange do?
In principle, there is nothing to be said against it if it is in good condition. The decisive factor is functionality: the binding must work and be correctly adjusted. The boot must fit, provide good support, but not be too hard. And the skis must be suitable for your skiing ability. The equipment should then be regularly maintained, i.e. the edges should be sharpened and the base waxed.
Where are the greatest risks of injury for children?
The greatest danger is collisions. It is important that children do not sit around on the slopes and that they wear helmets and back armour. Many collisions can be avoided by adults skiing behind the children and thus preventing someone from crashing into them from behind. It is also important to ensure that children are not overtired and have their speed under control.
Do children have to learn to ski in a ski school or can I teach them myself? What do I have to watch out for?
Learning together with other children and under the guidance of an expert instructor is often easier. If you still want to teach your child yourself, you should first let your child stomp around, slide and go uphill on flat skis. Only then should the first small descents in the plough - now called «pizza» or «cake slice» - be tackled and braking practised. Either way, the most important thing is that the child has fun.
Are plastic slides useful for first attempts on the snow?
Plastic slides are a suitable toy for children to discover their interest in gliding on snow. They can be used in the garden or at the ski resort to gain their first experience on the snow. However, their interest soon wanes because they are difficult to handle and the boots tend to slip out of the bindings - this is when real skis and ski boots are needed.
My child prefers to ski without poles - is that ok?
Most beginner lessons take place without poles. In children's lessons, many aids are used to motivate the children and help them to stand in the correct position on their skis and work out of their legs - poles are often a hindrance. With increasing age, however, children should ski with poles: They give them stability, offer help with traverses and in flat sections and are helpful for learning new techniques.
When is the earliest sensible time for a child to start snowboarding?
With the right equipment in the right terrain, it's never too early. Burton offers a snowboard that can be towed behind, allowing children to get their first gliding experience on the snow as soon as they are standing upright.
What is the earliest point at which a child should be put on cross-country skis?
Here too: This can be as early as one and a half or two years old - if the child enjoys it. Incidentally, this is best done not on the cross-country ski trail, but in powder snow, where they can make tracks.
When can I start taking my child on ski tours?
This depends on the material and ability of the child. There is a binding insert for first touring experiences, but it is rather wobbly and above all very heavy. Weight is generally the biggest problem for children, as there are no special children's touring boots - these are only available from size 35 upwards. It is important that children take enough breaks and do not have to carry their own provisions and equipment on the way. For the descent, it is important to be able to correctly assess your skiing ability in the prevailing snow conditions in open terrain.
Answered the questions:
Read more about skiing with children:
Nine tips for happy skiing days with children
In Switzerland, skiing is part of the cultural heritage that many parents want to pass on to their children. However, instead of children with red cheeks feeling the freedom on the slopes, there is often a lot of squabbling and conflict on the piste. But with our professional tips, this can still change.