So fed up of stories like this every single year. Stupid bloody Skiing.

Dunno about it being no more dangerous than going for a jog - my DD fell while cross country skiing and managed to kick herself in the eye with her ski! Can't really injured yourself like that jogging.

It's an awful story.

However, you don't hear the stories of the people who went on holiday, had a week skiing and came home. It's in the news because of what happened.

Many people go hill walking and tragically some people die when falling off certain routes such as Crib Goch.

People go scuba diving and some people die doing that.

There are sports that people do and die doing. But it's rare.

And people enjoy doing those sports.

The driving comparison is stupid. Most people don’t drive purely for fun, they do it to get to places they want to go.

I've just had a thorough google and the death/serious injury rate per 1000 people for alpine (ie downhill) skiing is variously either the same as or lower than football, depending on how measured.

Although I'm not sure whether that proves skiing is lower risk than assumed, or football higher risk!

Secondary school kids cycling to school is for families who don’t have enough risk in their lives. Plenty of safer ways to get to school and the daily risk far outweighs a ski trip IMO

It says chest injury. The speed must had been huge.

And it must have happen at a generally safe part of the slope, probably getting out of the slope to the side, not just downwards, because all the tricky places are secured with padding and nets and everything.

That’s awful, but why was he on such a thin part of snow? The main / easy slopes are not thin with rocks under them. Also, why was he not wearing a helmet?

Skiing is for people who don’t have enough risk in their daily lives.

(Obviously not talking about people who ski daily and are actually good at it! The risk then is obviously low. A week a year isn’t the same thing)

I can’t imagine sending my kids off sliding down a mountain. A very irresponsible risk indeed.

Children die doing all sorts of things. Sport. Travel. Car. Skiing. Hockey. Biking to school.

Suspect more children are caused by idiotic car drivers than by them skiing.

So what level of risk do you think is acceptable?

The OP was asking why you would put your kids in danger. My kids love skiing and ask if we can go.

They learned at a young age and respect the mountains and know their limits.

We are not forcing our children to ski. It is a fantastic family holiday. No electronics while skiing, just happy chatting.

I'd rather die doing something exhilarating in beautiful surroundings than die of boredom on a beach.

Each to their own.

Obesity might be a disease but it is caused essentially by people making poor lifestyle choices. Yes, there might be other factors at play such as MH, but this is still what it boils down to.

Perhaps obese people are compelled to eat in the same way that extreme(ish) sports enthusiasts are compelled to participate in exhilarating activities?

He was wearing a helmet. Sounds like a very unfortunate accident

Name one? Does it involve not getting off your sofa? Because pretty much anything else that gets you out of the house for fun is taking a risk.

Honestly, I’m surprised some people on this thread haven’t said ‘well I would never take my child in a car, far too dangerous.’ That’s how ridiculous you sound.
You are telling me that if your child was offered an amazing all paid ski trip with full lessons and food included you would take it?

Did the accident happen despite wearing a helmet? I know he could have hit the tree and still die but still why do so many people from the UK not wear a helmet when skiing, ice skating, roller skating? Its insane

You can actually ski v cheaply. You can get a cheap Ryanair flight to Oslo (one hour, starts at around £20). There is a lovely winter park a few minutes out the centre with slopes for beginners and intermediate where you can hire skis, take lessons. It is not the Val D’Isere but it is lovely and fun and a nice controlled environment if you are a typical UK skier who goes once every few years and has limited skill/experience. I would not recommend above paying thousands and then feeling you have to push yourself to get your money’s worth. Also Don’t agree that if you don’t start from birth every week you cant ski - what nonsense! Yes you can’t go off piste or do black runs but you can still have exercise and lots of fun!

It is partially effect of severe skiing injuries being rare enough to be interesting for news. Do you think everyone who gets similarly hurt while cycling makes the headlines?

And vast majority of skiing injuries are knees and broken arms.

As a child I spent a week every year at large skiing camp, 100+ people 8-16yo. Nothing competitive; in my country (central Europe) it was just one of the ways to spend the holiday week. I don't remember any serious injury happening there, we rather behaved on the slopes and were silly in the evenings.

Skiing comes with a unique experience of nature - breathtaking views in the middle of snowy tops of mountains, discovering next valleys.
Physically, skiing is about very direct connection between the surface and your movement, you feel what is under your feet and react. The combination of speed and control can bring big emotions and be very enjoyable.

At the same time it is absolutely possible to pick a quite safe way - stop only at places with good visibility, don't go off the slope, adjust speed to conditions, don't get into too dense crowd.

But they can’t drive when they are 14 can they?

I think this is exactly the problem. You’ve hit the nail on the head. It’s not part of our landscape so it’s not a necessity to learn properly - just enough for one week a year. Then they get cocky and don’t treat the skiing practice with the respect it needs. It’s seen as pure “fun” and competitive. I bet a lot of British kids race their parents or are encouraged to go fast.

I’m guessing you won’t allow your DC to learn to drive then? Far more dangerous.

Seriously?? I don't ski personally but know people who go every year without incident, and the accidents among my friend group have been inconvenient but not serious. Equally I know people who've suffered life changing injuries playing sports like football, hockey and netball. I know far more people whose kids spend every day playing video games who are obese at under 16 and are highly likely to suffer life long medical issues because of that. Live and let live - life can be dangerous but it would be a miserable life wrapped up in cotton wool!

most people can get the bus or train though, which is statistically much safer.

I am British, live in the UK and there's ski resorts not far from where I live where I used to go skiing every year.

Maybe everyone who's obese or has poor mental health due to lack of activity should also pay more for the NHS?
Or this who are too scared to walk cycle or use public transport and therefore drive everywhere should pay more to compensate for their damaging habit?

Life is not meant to be risk free.

If you drive and drive your family are, they're at .ore risk of being injured than skiing.

I remember being very upset hearing about a boy who died on a school ski trip falling off a 500 foot precipice. I think this was in the 80s sometime. I mean what the fuck was he doing anywhere near it?