On February 7, 2016, women from all across the world will advance on Kincaid Park to participate in a 4K, women-only ski event. This Ski for Women event will raise money for local nonprofit entities that provide safety and services for women and children who have endured domestic abuse. Participants are encouraged to wear colorful costumes during the race.

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Anyone who is participating in a ski event for the first time should exercise safe practices to avoid injuries.

Stay Hydrated

While this is a race, everyone should make sure they stay hydrated and take breaks when needed. Skiers tend to get hurt later in the day after they’ve become tired or dehydrated. Keep water in a pack around your waist to keep from becoming thirsty while on the slopes.

Make Sure to Fall

While this may seem counterintuitive, if you feel yourself starting to wobble, it’s best to fall on your backside than to strain a ligament trying to remain upright. Sitting down can also help if you feel yourself speeding out of control. If you feel like you’ve strained or pulled a ligament, a South Anchorage urgent care center can evaluate the strain and provide treatment. Don’t keep skiing on an injury, or you can make it worse.

Code of Conduct

While on the trail, make sure you’re practicing safety by looking before you merge onto a trail with other skiers. You should never rest in a blind spot where skiers won’t see you until it’s too late to avoid an accident. Common sense rules are often printed in numerous places on the mountain for you. Make sure to pay attention to them.

Pay Attention to the Lift

While many people think that skiing itself provides the greatest risk of injury, getting on and off the lift is a danger too. Don’t get distracted while entering or leaving the lift. Pay attention to the people in front of you so you’ll understand how to enter the lift correctly.

Seek Attention Immediately

One injury is more common with skiers than any other, and it’s a knee injury. While wearing a helmet or taking lessons might reduce the risk of head injuries, a twisted knee is hard to avoid. In fact, more than 20,000 skiers injure their knees each year on the slopes with injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament as the highest number.

Urgent care centers in South Anchorage will see a few shoulder injuries during ski season too. These injuries usually result when a person tries to break their fall with an outstretched hand.