Why Skiers and Snowboarders Face Higher Concussion Risk: What the Research Really Says

Summary based on the paper Risk, Culture, and Structure: Understanding the Increased Susceptibility to Sports-Related Concussions in Action Sport Athletes by Paige Sze, Kinesiology Student at the University of Calgary.

When we talk about concussions, most people picture football or hockey. But action sports—like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and skateboarding—also see a significant number of head injuries, especially among youth. And because these sports function differently from traditional team sports, concussions can be harder to spot and manage.

Below is what current research tells us about why concussion risk looks different for skiers and snowboarders.

Fast, Variable, and Unpredictable Terrain

Skiing and snowboarding take place in environments that change constantly. Snow texture, weather, visibility, and terrain features can shift run-to-run. This variability means that impacts can be unpredictable, falls may be more severe depending on conditions, and even minor-looking crashes can involve significant force. Because concussions don’t show obvious outward signs, it can be easy to walk away from a fall thinking it “wasn’t that bad” even when the brain has absorbed significant force.

Research also shows that many action-sport participants score higher on traits like sensation-seeking and challenge-seeking compared with athletes in more structured sports. This doesn’t apply to everyone, but it helps explain why people are drawn to fast, technical, or progressive terrain.

Community Norms and the Drive for Progression

Progression is a huge part of skiing and snowboarding. Whether it’s learning a new grab, riding steeper terrain, or simply improving flow, many riders take pride in pushing themselves.

Studies across several action sports show that in some communities, pushing through discomfort is viewed positively, progression and perseverance are celebrated, and conversations around risk-taking are simply part of the culture. This doesn’t describe every rider or every group, but it can influence decision-making—especially for youth who want to keep up with friends or return quickly after a crash.

Because concussions lack visible symptoms, this combination of internal drive and community culture can delay recognition, treatment, and rest.

Less Formal Oversight = More Self-Monitoring

Recreational skiing and snowboarding typically don’t involve coaches supervising sessions, medical staff nearby, or referees watching for collisions. This independence is part of the charm. You pick your terrain, your pace, your line.

But it also means there are fewer trained eyes to spot symptoms, riders often rely on “how they feel” which isn’t always reliable and can result in premature return-to-snow decisions. Furthermore, with outdoor sports recovery decisions may be based on good conditions rather than symptomology (“the snow is too good to miss”). 

While not universal, this pattern shows up in research because these sports depend so much on the environment. For younger athletes especially, returning too soon increases the risk of prolonged symptoms or complications.

How Traits, Culture, and Environment Interact

Risk-tolerant personality traits, the desire for progression, and the lack of structured oversight don’t cause concussions on their own. But when these factors combine, they can increase the risk of concussion, contribute to missed diagnoses, lead to premature return-to-snow, and make head injuries harder to recognize.

It’s important to note these are general trends found in research—not blanket statements about every skier or snowboarder. And the same qualities that elevate risk—freedom, creativity, progression—are also what make skiing and snowboarding so deeply loved.

What Riders Can Do

The goal isn’t to make skiing or snowboarding “risk-free”—it’s to stay informed.

A few key takeaways:

• Learn the common concussion symptoms

• Treat head impacts seriously, even if you “feel fine”

• Take a break after any fall involving your head

• Parents: check in with kids after crashes

• Remember: helmets help, but they don’t eliminate risk

• Rest is critical, especially for youth

Better awareness means fewer missed injuries and more time spent doing what we love—skiing and riding.

References

Caine, D.J. & Provance, A.J. (2018). Pediatric and adolescent injury in adventure and extreme sports. Research in Sports Medicine, 26(sup1), 5-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2018.1434041

Dean, N.A. & Bundon, A. (2020). ‘You’re only falling into water!’: exploring surfers’ understanding of concussion in Canadian surf culture. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 12(4), 579-596. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1657930

Ellmer, E. (2024, July 29). No coaches, no worries? how action sport athletes are bucking traditional sports pathways. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/no-coaches-no-worries-how-action-sport-athletes-are-bucking-traditional-sports-pathways-234481

Gardner, M.M., Grimm, J.T., & Conner, B.T. (2021). Examining the role of risk compensation in extreme sports. Journal of Sports & Exercise Psychology, 43(3), 215-222. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2020-0159

Ruston, S.W., Kamrath, J.K., Zanin, A.C., Posteher, K., Corman, S.R. (2019). Performance versus safety: understanding logics of cultural narratives influencing concussion reporting behaviours. Communication & Sport, 7(4), 529-548. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167479518786709

Sharma, V.K., Rango, J., Connaughton, A.J., Lombardo, D.J., & Sabesan, V.J. (2015). The current state of head and neck injuries in extreme sports. The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 3(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967114564358