Skiing vs Snowboarding: Which Is More Risky? | Peak Sports Physio Hakuba
Skiing and snowboarding are often grouped together because they share the same mountains, lifts and passion for speed—but when it comes to injury patterns, these two sports couldn’t be more different.
Understanding these differences can help you choose the safest sport for your body and reduce your risk of injury on your Hakuba snow holiday.
Injury Risks in Skiing
Research consistently shows that skiers are far more likely to suffer knee injuries—especially ACL and MCL ligament injuries.
What the research says
ACL injuries make up ~15% of all skiing injuries, compared with only ~3% in snowboarding (Panorama Orthopedics review).
A systematic review found ACL rupture is the most common severe injury in alpine skiing.
Among competitive alpine skiers, 48.6% of severe knee injuries involve the ACL.
Why skiing stresses the knee
Ski boots and bindings hold the ankle rigid. When a ski catches or twists, the rotational force travels straight to the knee, rather than being absorbed at the foot or ankle.
Common skiing injuries
ACL & MCL sprains/tears
Meniscus tears
Lower back strains
Tibial plateau fractures (less common)
Less common for skiers
Wrist and elbow injuries
Shoulder sprains
Ankle sprains (rare due to stiff boots)
If you have a history of ACL or knee injuries, skiing poses a higher risk compared with snowboarding.
Injury Risks in Snowboarding
Snowboarders experience a different injury pattern—most injuries occur in the upper limb, especially the wrist and shoulder.
What the research says
Wrist injuries make up 18–25% of all snowboard injuries, vs 2–3% of ski injuries (multiple large cohort studies).
Some datasets show wrist fractures are the #1 snowboarding injury, representing up to 25% of all cases.
Wearing wrist guards reduces wrist and forearm injury risk by 52–87%.
Why snowboarders injure their upper body
Beginners frequently fall onto outstretched hands.
“Catching an edge” can also cause sudden forward/backward whiplash-type falls.
Common snowboarding injuries
Wrist fractures & sprains
Shoulder sprains & dislocations
Elbow injuries
Neck/whiplash injuries
Knee & ankle injuries
Knee injuries are relatively rare in snowboarding compared with skiing.
Ankle injuries, including syndesmosis sprains, do occur—especially with softer boots—but evidence is less consistent than for wrist injuries.
If you have a history of shoulder instability or wrist injuries, snowboarding may be the riskier option.
Skiing vs Snowboarding: What the Data Shows
| Injury Type | Skiing | Snowboarding |
|---|---|---|
| ACL/MCL knee injuries | High (most common severe injury) | Low (≈3% of injuries) |
| Wrist, elbow, shoulder injuries | Low | High (18–25% wrist alone) |
| Ankle injuries | Low | Moderate (varies by boot stiffness) |
| Whiplash-type falls | Moderate | High (especially beginners) |
| Overall injury rate | Similar to snowboarding in many studies | Similar to skiing |
Overall injury rates between sports are often similar, but the injury type differs significantly.
Which Sport Should You Choose?
If you have knee issues or prior ACL injuries, snowboarding typically carries lower knee-injury risk.
If you’ve suffered shoulder dislocations or frequent wrist injuries, skiing may be the safer choice.
For personalised advice, the physios at Peak Sports Physio Hakuba can assess your movement, strength and injury history to help you choose wisely.
How to Reduce Your Injury Risk on the Slopes
1. Improve your physical conditioning
Stronger muscles = better control and fewer falls.
Our team can design snow-sports conditioning programs for skiing or snowboarding.
2. Get proper lessons
Good technique is one of the most effective ways to reduce injury risk.
3. Use high-quality protective gear
Protective equipment dramatically lowers the risk of injuries—especially for snowboarders.
At Peak Sports Physio Hakuba, we stock:
Wrist guards (essential for snowboarders)
Thumb braces
Elbow supports
Shoulder stabilisers
Ankle braces (including syndesmosis options)
Knee braces (ACL/MCL support)
Back braces
Padded protective shorts
Our physios can help fit and recommend the best gear for your needs.
Visit Peak Sports Physio Hakuba
Whether you’re preparing for your trip or recovering from an injury, we’re here to help you stay safe on the slopes.
Send us a message or visit us in-store to try protective gear, get expert injury advice, or book a physiotherapy session.
