Skiing Injuries


Learn how to recover from injuries while skiing with Restore Physiotherapy.

Get back on the slopes with confidence  

Ski injuries can be disheartening, but with a tailored rehabilitation plan, you can recover from them and avoid future injuries on the slopes. Whether you’re a beginner skier or a backcountry adventurer, we’ll help you get back on the slopes with confidence.

Restore Physiotherapy offers rehabilitation services for before and after the ski season, helping you avoid injuries and manage post-recovery. Our in-clinic team has reformers and trapeze tables that mimic ski movements, so you can build your balance and improve muscle movement.

What types of injuries are most common in skiing? 

Running

Knee Injuries:

  • Meniscus tears:
    Often caused by rotational forces during turns or awkward landings  
  • ACL tears:
    Commonly result from falls with twisting motions when the skis fail to release  
  • MCL/LCL sprains:
    Due to valgus (inward) or varus (outward) forces on the knee  
Leg Logo

Leg Injuries:

  • Tibial fractures:
     Fractures from high-impact falls or collisions  
  • Femoral fractures:
    Less common, but can occur in severe trauma  
Neck Logo

Neck Injuries:

  • Whiplash:
    Often sustained during sudden stops, falls, or collisions 

How to avoid injuries while skiing with Restore Physiotherapy 

Your safety is our priority. Here’s how we help you ski better and prevent injuries.

Tailored
Tailored Exercise Programs

We provide both clinical exercise sessions and home-based programs that prepare your body for the physical demands of skiing.


Skiing-Ski
Ski-Specific Drills

Our training exercises mimic skiing movements such as changes of direction, jumping, and controlled landings to improve strength, control, and coordination.


Dynamic
Dynamic Mobility Warm-Ups

We teach warm-up routines that improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness before doing a ski run.


Technique-Education
Technique Education

Our trained physiotherapists will help you understand how to activate and use key muscle groups, such as your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and core, to reduce your risk of injury.

Your journey at Restore Physiotherapy:
Example of a 76-year-old returning to the slopes


Restore knee physio

Scenario

A 76-year-old client with a long-standing love for skiing came to us with knee pain and degenerative knee cartilage. Concerned about managing his knee pain and avoiding injury during an upcoming two-week ski trip, he needed physiotherapy support that could help him prepare physically and ski safely. 

Solution

We developed a tailored clinical exercise program to strengthen and condition his body specifically for skiing. The program included mobility work to improve joint movement, plyometric exercises to enhance control and power, and ski-specific drills that mimicked skiing actions using our floor equipment. 

Our team focused these exercises on strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and core while improving balance and agility. 

Results

Our patient completed his two-week ski trip without injury and returned with only minimal knee discomfort, which was significantly less than previous seasons. With the right preparation, he was able to maintain his independence and continue enjoying the sport he loves well into his 70s. 

Book an appointment 

Better mobility starts here. Book an appointment online or contact Restore Physiotherapy to speak to our care team.

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Frequently asked questions

Definitely! Our team can offer practical guidance on all three areas to help you avoid the risk of skiing injuries. This includes dynamic mobility warm-ups to reduce stiffness and prepare the joints and muscles for activity. 

We also educate clients on proper skiing technique, with a focus on engaging key muscle groups (i.e. glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core) to help you stay in control while skiing and minimise injury. Additionally, we can advise on your equipment and suggest any necessary modifications to help you stay safe on the slopes. 

Core stability is crucial for maintaining proper posture and balance, particularly on uneven terrain or during sudden directional changes. Leg strength allows you as a skier to absorb impact from jumps, and provides crucial support to stabilise the knee joint. 

Mobility is another important factor. Ankle mobility helps with ski posture and turning, hip mobility helps with weight shifting and smooth transitions, and thoracic mobility supports upper body rotation for better pole use and directional control.