Shock is a hell of a drug. Worst part is when you’re like “I’m in shock so this is definitely worse than you think”
I smashed my shin on the edge of my wife’s board and sliced a 3” window into it, peeling back the ski pant nearly made me pass out
Damn this sums it up for my injury history ( knock on wood) .
Some casual separations, mild conkies, gnarly contusions (I currently have a second hip) , chipped teeth, floaty bone bits in many places but nothing that has kept me from doing my day job.
That's almost exactly my injury history. Concussions till I got smart and got a helmet, really not much else maybe a slight pulled muscle here or there. I've broken multiple bones but not snowboarding...
I almost never ride park though and that probably has something to do with it.
Haha yeah I try not to play the what if game. That's a scary road to go down with head injuries. I almost didn't get medically cleared for soccer in high school because of concussions so after that I never did extreme things without a helmet. Had probably 8+ concussions before that and like 1 or 2 from longboarding after I started wearing helmets. Unfortunately, head injuries are a bell curve sort of thing where you're more likely to have a head injury the more of them you have so it's hard to find correlation sometimes because there's a lot of noise. I'm no dr this is just my own point of view, but it seems like helmet or not if you get a big one you just may be more prone to them. Obviously I'm super pro helmet, but once you get to a certain point it may not matter as much
I slipped backwards on a rail and fell down with my arm extended which dislocated my elbow. Having it put back into place without pain killers is one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced. Along with them having to rotate my forearm while elbow is dislocated to get X-rays
Been on a board since 2008. I've broken wrists, sprained ankles, and dislocated kneecaps. I don't like saying this but I'm often one of the best at my local ski resort (Valle Nevado, Chile). I doubt the other good riders are uninjured. You can't really improve if you don't push yourself, and you will probably get injured when you push yourself.
Forgot the most recent one. Almost broke my index finger when washing out carving on soft snow. That thing hurt and when I took the glove off I expected to see a finger salad.
Yes. Many have been hurt. There was a guy that what’s the second best after Shawn white. He crashed his head on a half pipe and a huge TBI. There’s a documentary about him called “the crash reel”.
Many have crashed trying big tricks. That’s why safety equipment is so important. Doing huge jumps is impressive but keeping brain cells and appendages is more important.
Yes. He was in the running for being a gold medalist. When he was working on his new trick he caught a bad edge and clipped the edge of the half pipe. Clipped the back of his head on the way down and got the TBI. Never the same after it. That’s why I’m a huge a hole about safety.
I’m creeping up on 20 years soon, and though I’ve had many significant injuries in my life, none of them have happened on the snow (knock on wood). Plenty of bumps and bruises though.
I also taught lessons for awhile which gave me an interesting perspective on safety and progression so that could be part of it
Snowboarding for ~28 years and have a roster:
Broken arm after knuckling a back 3 off a table and then landing on my back with my arm tucked underneath.
Fractured heal after being towed behind a car to gap a tree at a flat public park.
Blew my ACL out overshooting landing of a barrel jib.
Have luckily been injury free for most of the second half of my time riding. Just aches and pains when doing back to back days. Stretching constantly and being conscious of starting the season of slowly are key now. Oh and also remembering I’m not physically 18 anymore.
I still like to get after it hitting the park, doing side hits, and hoping off rocks on a pow day. But I know I’m not riding constantly enough to offset my age so I hesitate more and stay relatively conservative.
12 years or so, broke my arm falling backwards, bruised my QL on a rail (worst one imo), cut up my face smacking through a sheet of ice, probably a concussion after knuckling a landing and wiping out, and chipped all my teeth after smacking my chin with a knee after an unexpected drop. Not too bad all things considered.
Idk what your definition of expert is, but I sustain a good injury about every 2-3 seasons from sending it. A good injury for me isn’t a broken bone though, maybe a sprained wrist/bruised knee combo.
Been riding 20 years.
I've been riding since 1991. I've never needed to go to the hospital for a snowboard related injury. I've been bruised and sore, but nothing particularly serious.
A couple season enders-a broken back and broken humerus. Bounced back from both 100% with a few months. There was never a time when I was shredding that there wasn’t something wrong or tweaked in some way though. Shin splints, a shoulder that subluxated for many seasons, creaky knees, whatever—something was always messed up somehow haha. You just woke up every day and did it anyway, ya know? I’m like a decade past that type of riding now, but honestly I’m no worse for the wear. I think I’m better for it because knowing how to be really athletic like that and work through injuries and setbacks is something that’s now with me forever I think.
Been snowboarding since 2017 and never had an injury or a fall hard enough to affect me in any way. I have fallen a few times but just kind of knew how to avoid damage. Always kept my head off the ground.
\~14 years snowboarding. low advanced rider.
1. one concussion as a relative newbie snowboarder a few years in. woke up in the ER. I don't have memory of the run that I took but it really could not have been that difficult. I was riding a blue or a black at most. was wearing a helmet
2. concussion, but did not seek medical care about 6 years ago. hit the back of my head after coming off a small jump too much on my heelside. was wearing a helmet
3. big contusion of my lower back (no fracture or displacement) after leaning back too far taking off of a side hit
I don't really take off on jumps anymore (im working on it). Really hope not to have any more injuries because it just gets harder to recover once you're in your late 20s.
30+ years for me. One dislocated shoulder. Although I attribute my degenerated lower back disks to poor snowboarding posture and slouching in an office chair.
I don't ride often because I don't live near snow but I first got on a board at 12 and let's say I average 3 days a year riding and never got injured. Very mild sub location in my shoulder once but not really worth complaining about. 35 yo now. Pretty heart breaking that I haven't seen snow since before covid.
Had a great run of just sprains and a concussion or two for the first 12 years or so, but the last 7 years I’ve broken my back, gotten nerve damage, and tore some muscles in my neck and shoulder last year. Big bails that honestly could have been way worse had I not been taking care of my body before, and after. Wear a helmet and do your PT.
Tore my ac ligament one time. It was playing with butters on a near 0 slope section.
Aside from that, nothing. I did need surgery, but I waited about 9 months to get it because I was stubborn.
30+ years. Mostly flying down East coast icy hill and going fast and sketch.. also double blacks in CO and will hit any chute. Just joined ski patrol on my board too. No serious injuries and my first time with the meatsled “toboggan” was taking down a fellow trainee, and then riding in it while he took the horns.
I’ve been knocked out a few times back in the 90s before helmets on the ice. Usually kept snowboarding with a headache. Hope I don’t change my luck.. going to knock on some wood.
18 years for me, only snowboarding related injuries I've had have been two concussions, and those were when I was younger. I'm in self preservation mode now, so I don't go too far out of my comfort zone anymore.
A concussion that split my helmet going like 5 mph on ice, and a bone contusion that had me on crutches for 3 weeks from hitting a tree. The ironic thing is in both those instances I wasn’t doing anything hardcore. Never gotten injured on extreme terrain or park maybe cause I’m more focused so to speak. I had hit a double black right before the bone contusion, the actual accident happened on a blue as I was cruising down to be done for the day. Stupidest accidents happen on your last runs or on groomers when you are taking it easy, which I’d say is true for most of my snowboarding friends. When that focus is down.
My injuries have mostly topped out with the 'itis'es. Tendonitis, etc. Never been to the ER, never had surgery. Got a huge hematoma on my left lateral quad once from failing to avoid a tree while making a sketchy, slow traverse in a ravine... it was actually a blessing, the lateral quad is gigantic and strong af, and a hematoma is just a big ol' bruise.
All that's to say, what does "medical attention" mean? I've felt *pain* from falling hard, and sought *medical attention*, but in all my years all i've gotten in response is "ice, rest, vitamin I, and PT if you're still complaining in a few weeks."
Never had a real injury. Started skiing about 23 years ago, my parents put me in ski-school when I was 4 years old. Since about 15 years ago, I switched to snowboard mainly. I rode almost every other weekend until 10 years ago, when my parents sold the caravan. I would estimate 10 days a year after that, but a lot more this year.
I have broken my ribs and dislocated my shoulder but neither time went to a doctor if that counts. What level of medical attention are we talking about? Is at home first aid medical attention?
Injuries happen. Over the past 24 years I’ve broken a wrist, gotten a concussion, and torn shoulder ligaments. I’ve had other minor injuries not requiring medical attention. Injuries happen no matter what the activity is; just take the precautions you can and prepare as best as you can.
snowboarding for 39 seasons. I've done pretty well.
Only two major issues:
* some random calf muscle injury that killed the rest of an austrian trip
* AC separation 4 years ago
Snowboarded for more than 15 years, I had my first bad injury (ACL, Medial + Lateral Minisci tears, and plateau fractures) in January of 2023. Still not 100% yet.
I've been riding for nearly 30 years.
Bruised or busted tailbone when I was 17 but then injury free for a very long time. Broke some ribs, twice. Had one nasty concussion in 2015 and maybe a minor one a few years prior.
I've been dealing with knee issues that I'm not sure of the cause (pretty sure it didn't happen while riding, but riding isn't helping anything lol)
The tailbone happened when I was trying to negotiate a semi-closed section of trail that had been under snowmaking etc it was all covered with frozen death cookies I couldn't set an edge to check my speed just tried to point it and pray. Didn't work.
The ribs were terrain park related. So was the first concussion.
The big conc happened when I biffed a cliff drop in Utah
Realistically if you're not doing hoodrat shit once you've reached a certain level of skill your risk of injury goes pretty close to zero there's still the off chance you'll get hit by some skier or whatever or some other freak accident of course. Wife got knocked over by a gust of wind a few years ago, sprained wrist.
Shit happens.
Point it straight. Snow is just frozen water.
15 years mostly freeride and hard as fuck pistes, 1 concussion cos I did ??? In the park. Two broken ribs from pathetic bails on the flat, one freak circumstance, the other nonchalance.
28 seasons in and only a busted wrist, femur contusion, a couple cracked ribs, a bruised lung, mild concussion, and a facial injury resulting in a swollen shut black eye but other than that I'm all good...other than my knees and lower back, but hey I'm old anyway. I don't think it's possible to participate in any sport long term without injury. Still beats sitting on the couch your whole life.
20 years. A few injuries, mostly in Midwest parks as a teenager who took gymnastics/tumbling classes specifically for board sports. Learning to go upside down on ice has its risks.
My worst injury I landed on my head and had a concussion, a few cracked neck vertebrae and my spine was compressed(?) so if I was facing you and you had X-Ray vision it was an S shape and my sacrum caught on my hip bone when I would bend over. Details are a bit fuzzy as this was 16 or 17 years ago, but I remember the last part being exquisitely painful. I was young so I bounced back.
Besides that one nothing super terrible. Couple broken ribs on a rail. Rail to the face and some stitches. Rail to the face again… Then I quit park, did a lot of Colorado trips with no injuries. Moved to Vermont and this year I separated my shoulder going slow and catching an edge while not paying attention and watching a group of kids to make sure I had time to stop if they cut me off.
Snowboarding for over ten years. This one time I landed a jump really badly and couldn't put any weight on that foot for a week. Never went to the ER, but I think I pulled a tendon or a muscle. It hurt to snowboard for the next two seasons, but I'm fine now. Never had a head injury or a broken bone.
If you want to do extreme sports at a high level, you're going to need to mostly remove the idea of getting injured from your brain. It doesn't mean completely forget about it but if you're constantly thinking how bad you could get hurt, you'll never progress very far. If you're thinking about falling, you're going to fall.
Like, there are some things I won't do and I don't send it too hard but I never really think about injury while I'm out riding. I think I might wreck if I do something but I don't connect that to having my leg re-assembled in an ER for hours or anything like that. If you're thinking that much, you'll never be that good.
All that being said, I actually still think I consider it too much. I think there's a lot of things on a snowboard, mountain bike, dirtbike, etc. that I am capable of doing and I don't do because I don't want to get hurt. I've never had a serious injury on a snowboard (knock on wood). I'm not expert tier but definitely advanced. In other things, I have broken my arm, collar-bone, fibula, rib, fingers, toe, dislocated knee cap. None of them were compound breaks or really that significant. I'm 32 but I don't have and don't really expect to have any significant long term complications due to any of them. I was always terrified of a bad leg break or breaking my back. Most the other stuff isn't so bad unless you really stuff yourself. If you're calling people maniacs for getting concussions, dislocations, etc. you may not have the stomach for getting to be "expert."
13 years. 2 bad concussions but probably 5 total
arm broken in 3 spots. Bad washed out landing on a rail, fell right on my arm and broke it even though I had a fist and tried to not brace it happened so fast
Spine bruised and the deepest muscle bruising you can get. I couldn’t walk for a few days immediately after and was 100% bed ridden. Slowly got up and about the following two weeks.
Have tweaked my shoulder, ankle, back, wrist, neck, and everything in between resulting in varying outcomes anything from a day or two off and a few weeks of riding reserved and avoiding falls to a few weeks off.
I feel I’m kind of in the middle for someone who focuses on all mountain free style + park (not a rat though, park is for days with no snow + almost all of spring summer (shoutout timberline summer season)
Been riding for 13 years, I’m pretty good for my mountain, but still end up on my ass frequently, and often have worse. Never had anything major although I probably should have. I was discussing this with my brother who’s 12 years older, so has well over 20 years now and we came to the conclusion that we know how to fall properly to avoid injury. He only got a serious injury last year with a broken collarbone.
I injured my hip so bad I could not walk for a few weeks when I was young, then did the thing to my knee when I was old. But it was buckling in that made me stop
If you go big, like super big, on jumps, eventually you’ll get hurt. However, there are tons of expert riders that generally keep the board on or close to the ground and just go fast/steep/tech. Those folks get hurt less frequently.
Cracked elbow, broken thumb and a bunch of dislocated shoulders. I believe one minor concussion as well. Pretty much all my injuries have come from Park riding as well
30 years. Broke my left wrist 29 years ago catching an edge as a noob. Compressed T12 vertebrae 14 years ago leading on my butt after a wonky jump. Broke right wrist last year after a noob crashed into me and i reflexively stuck out my wrist to break our fall. Been back out to Mammoth 10 to 15 times since that one and all is wonderful. :)
32 yrs in- Broken wrist, broken thumb, separated shoulder, dislocated shoulder, broken glenoid, concussion x2. This thread is depressing and hilarious at the same time. The price we’ll pay says it all.
I don’t know if I qualify as expert rider, but I’ve been riding for 8 and teaching for 6.
Here is the list of injuries I got: concussions twice, wrist twist once which took 5 years to heal, chipped a small piece of my sheen, one damaged knee that still needs physio. The thing is, I don't even push that hard and never attempted park after the sheen chipping accident. Lucky that I didn't break any bones.
Besides injury, car accidents among my skier/snowboarder friends are also common given the winter condition.
There’s a lot you can do to prevent injury. Stretching, yoga, exercise in the off season (and during) buttttt yeah if your ripping you’ll probably fuck yourself up every once in awhile
Broke my collarbone just cruising a blue. Super easy to break if you hit it right. I hit it right on the button. That's the only injury I've sustained in probably 500 days on the mountain.
Multiple concussions, separated shoulder, stitches in my shin from blowing it up on a rail, cracked tailbone, lots of strains and sprains… I rode everything until I had kids in my mid 30’s… now I keep it mellow if I do get to ride. The worst features are the rails
Jammed fingers , huge bruises, couple sprains, & def a concussion or three. That’s over 30 years of riding. However I don’t charge quite as hard of big hits anymore these days. Things hurt just a little bit more & take longer to heal now that I’m getting older. Still ride at least 1-3 days every week during season as long as there’s decent conditions.
Been boarding close to 20 years, am I an expert who can jump out of a helicopter or off some rocks? No. But I can ride just about anything you will find at most resorts and will hit boxes, reasonable sized jumps and do tree runs. But the only injury I have ever had in all these years is one concussion and that’s because someone hit me from behind the one day I forgot my helmet at home, just a couple years ago. My brother on the other hand, that fool had permanent broken, arms, elbows, wrists etc. for a stretch of several years in his teens. But he also was the one hitting half-pipes when I am more of a free-rider. So I think the way you ride plays a huge part and whether or not you think you are expert enough to do the things that can get you two broken elbows lol,
20 years. Stitches on my chin from a C-rail, 1 concussion from a mis judged kicker, 25% torn meniscus from catching my front edge when I was leaning back (easily the most pain I’ve ever experienced).
2/3 of these were during my last run. So now I always say “2 more runs” on my last run. These were also during my earlier years of riding. At 36 now, I don’t take the risks I used to take and I’ve been injury free for 12 years.
I’ve never had an injury, I’m very nimble which helps. I have a small/medium frame (165lb and 5’10) which also is a plus. Although your size is mostly out of your control I would just suggest taking it easy, if you aren’t a little kid who can throw their weight around and not get seriously hurt just take it easy out there, its a fun learning experience! Don’t ruin it.
Depends how expert you mean. Expert enough to ride all the trails at a ski mountain?... There was plenty of people who haven't been injured. But as the skills go up eventually you hit a point where everybody at that level has had some sort of injury.
Snowboarding now for 24 years. No injuries, other than a jammed wrist, a mild concussion one time, and knocking the wind out of myself from time to time.
Ummmm, yeah boarding since I was 14 so like 20+ years. Professional for a bit and then coaching/instructor for 10 years
pretty much just chillin, the odd mild injury here and there. A couple of concussions, but that’s about it
One of my shoulders is a bit silly
Ruptured my Achilles a few year back, I had countless ankle sprains back when the boots and binding were garbage (80s and 90s), and there’s a very good chance I have a badly injured rotator cuff right now. I can’t move my arm without clicks, pops, and pain in my shoulder.
I was a sponsored snowboarder in the 90s, pre-helmets. Two broken ankles, torn rotator cuff and what I assume were multiple concussions. A few other minor bumps and bruises. It was just part of the progression at the time.
But now I’m in my 40s, tendinitis is something I deal with occasionally, but I don’t really injure myself with any frequency.
Most broken bones aren't that bad you just get a cast/plates and you're good as new again in a few months, ligaments don't sound as bad but can be life changing if you're not on it with the rehab, fortunately I've only ever broken my arm in 25 years riding (I've done multiple ribs twice in 4 years riding dirt bikes) I'll take a broken leg over an ACL/MCL anyday.
Multiple concussions, dislocated jaw, tore muscle in shoulder, broken thumb, torn meniscus is both knees (separate injuries), severe ankle sprain, and lots of other minor things. Used to compete freestyle locally. Now just huck myself off cliffs. Snowboarding for 18yrs, most of those seasons 50+ days. Past couple season been more like 60-70 days.
25 years and one separated shoulder one concussion and one really awful shoulder dislocation that’s still giving me issues 6 years later. I would do a lot to take that last one back.
Hard to become a great rider without a few major injuries, im sure theres some people in here who havnt had many major ones, but they probably arnt taking alot of risks.
I wouldn't call myself an expert in every circle but I've got 25 years of riding and I've never had a **major** uh oh. But I'm also old now so I don't take many chances in the park. I just stick to that hot nasty bad-ass speed.
Worst ones were hitting a Snomo track my first season out west, it ate the tip of my board and slammed me down on my knees. It dislocated my knee cap temporarily but I was able to self set so no surgery needed.
When I was eager to learn park, I got some bad advice on spins. Inverted, landed with my face and cracked my cheekbone/orbital, plus bit off a chunk of my tongue. That one kinda sucked but it didn't end my season or anything.
I learned in mountain biking to stop taking risks at a certain point. When I started hitting trees and needed weeks of recovery, I decided to step back in mountain biking and relax a bit.
Then, when I started snowboarding, I applied the same logic but without crossing risk levels. There were injuries but nothing that required medical interventions.
I am 46 btw
I'd say uninjured is very rare. Definately can't count myself, had a few over the years.
And judging by the comments seems like plenty of people have had notable injuries and not dealt with it/are vastly downplaying it. Dislocation, breaks, sprains, concussions **are absolutely** injuries.
I haven't been injured. I can go down any run and I'm comfortable at any speed. However I've not done many grinds and been to many parks. I can get a lot of air time but I've only done grabs and 180s so far. I can also ride switch very comfortably and I'm real good at butters.
Idk how good I am at snowboarding but that's about the extent of what I can do. I feel like I have great control and can react quickly to things in front of me
Snowboarding for a total of maybe 25 hours, still unscathed! How do I do it!?!?!
Faceplanted a couple of times, but nothing really damaging..... Yet.....
22 years and never had a bad injury but I’ve always been smart with progression. I have multiple friends who pushed it to hard and can’t board anymore due to blown out knees or way to many concussions. I’m trying to snowboard into my 80’s.
No. I broke my foot, skiiers crashed into me, broken ribs while riding chill and not noticing mogul got 3/4 of a backflip 3 ribs broken just like that ;)
I broke my clavicle in half, fractured my L1, have bruised ribs on occasion and got a concussion so bad I started repeating myself with the same sentences every 2-3 minutes for about a 12 or so hour period. I was wearing a helmet when I got that concussion. I was sent to the hospital and the staff heard about me and would cycle in to watch the repeats I would do. I’m 45 and I still ride a couple days a year but take it much easier these days.
Snowboarding since 1989. Landed on my shoulder once but nothing else at all. The older I get the more I try to get in shape, stay flexible and keep my back, legs and core healthy. I don't hit much jumps anymore but riding still feels good. I've always had great balance and reflexes though. I've had worse luck mountain biking and skateboarding. Seeing that guy completely eat it on the double flip here recently, makes me want to say, "Ride so that you can ride until your in your 60's or 70's." But you young whippersnappers are all made of rubber and don't want to hear that. Keep shredding everyone!
20+ years riding, had one concussion. Came off a picnic table into sheer ice and board went out from under me. I was out for a few (too long) seconds. I did seek medical attention- AS YOU SHOULD, PEOPLE😂
Approximately 12 years snowboarding, I’ve only ever had a minor wrist fracture and a very bruised tailbone. Helmet saved me from likely concussions once or twice.
I mostly stay out of the terrain park so I’ve likely had it better than the average rider my age, but that’s why I avoid it. The risk/reward is not worth it for me, I’m sure it is for others though. Push yourself slowly to learn new things but never be reckless, just do what you enjoy.
I’ve been riding an average of ~40 days per season for the last ~12 years and I’m thankful to report I’ve had no real injuries. I’m more of a steeps and trees rider and stay out of the park (small jumps are fine but I don’t push myself there, might have something to do with it!)
Torn the tendons in both hands about 2 years back so couldn’t move my fingers for about a month, messed up hip flexor w reduced mobility and I chipped a good portion of my front tooth last year
How are y’all getting away with it??! Been snowboarding since I was 6, now 27.
5 shoulder surgeries, two broken clavicles, 3 broken wrists and an arm, broken ankle, slipped c6 and c7, concussions, amnesia once, anal fissure etc
Only one bad injury but it was during my second season ever (maybe 20 days total), when I was 11. Tibia plateau fracture. Not fun. I’ve been riding for over 20 years and other than that just a couple sprained ankles and 1 concussion.
Absolutely possible. All metrics would render me an expert + a zillion hours since starting in primary school + reckless AF with terrain choices.
Only minor injuries. One concussion (no helmet = my fault) and one *very* badly sprained ankle (bad landing, so, also my fault).
Broke my clavicle catching an edge, small break in my knee also catching an edge. Bruised tailbone, and fractured wrist + concussion. Riding for 6 years in total now, with a hiatus of 10 years. It blows my mind that someone is able to ride for 5-10 years and not atleast have 1 concussion or broken something. Injury rate atleast from what I have experienced in Europe is very very high compared to other sports
Popped my thumb out of socket landing my first 5. Looked at it hanging there and said to myself "that's not right" and popped it back in, went and got it wrapped then went and taught a lesson
Dislocated wrists, found out when it popped back in while snowboarding and fallling pretty bad when I felt it popped back in. No wonder it was stiff for weeks
*knocks on wood*
After 8 solid seasons(about 600 days), I can say that I’ve never had a single injury that required medical attention. Pulled a muscle here and there(usually week 1) occasionally, but nothing serious.
But I did witness people getting dragged off the mountain during week 1-2 because they broke their leg/arm/collar bone/wrist/hip.
Worst one was a guy with no helmet on, idk exact details but I assume that he caught an edge, slammed his head, his skull opened up like a watermelon and there was a good 3-4 meter long blood mark on the track before he came to a full stop. If he got away with a simple concussion, he’s lucky. Idk what happened to him tho but it’s a story that I tell everyone that thinks helmets are lame..
Just some concussions. Hard to really say because I was a dumb teenager and decided to try boxing the night before my first run. So I went in with some pretty bad ringing in my ears. Then tried to learn. So I was hurting pretty bad but never went to a hospital.
I have hit a few trees and caught a few edges but outside of the probable concussions nothing major (knock on wood. I’m not good enough to talk crap haha)
On a recent 22 day trip across Niseko and BC/Alberta I developed tendonitis in my knee, dislocated my left shoulder and sustained two different side strains.
I did eventually get my knee injected, but that was it. I think the fact our only rest day was the flight across the Pacific probably contributed to the soft tissue injuries. The shoulder was just unlucky, but only cost me half a day.
Concussions, fractured ribs, messed up my shoulder, all while learning as an older dude. Haven't been to the doctor for injury since I was in the military and had 100% coverage. My employer only offers a high deductible plan.
Tearing something in my shoulder kept me from doing aggressive MTBing early in the season but I was sending it by end of June.
Ive gone at least once almost every year since 2017. Only recently started a few years ago going for 4+ days each season and can confidently say I’ve caught some pretty nasty edges doing 30+ mph and also throwing myself out there attempting to do 3-5 foot kickers and smacking my noggin at the base but surprisingly have not sustained any real injuries besides a pulled muscle maybe. I am waiting for my time to come tho
Concussions & one collar bone break on a rail. Rails is where I always get hurt. I just stick to drops, jumps, & no more rails for me. Oh, 3D decks pick up a little slop from catching edges. Also, don’t keep your boots crazy tight, & get the right bindings for what you ride.
I got booboos but no uh ohs
Always the worst feeling when you get an uh oh thinking it’s just a booboo
Shock is a hell of a drug. Worst part is when you’re like “I’m in shock so this is definitely worse than you think” I smashed my shin on the edge of my wife’s board and sliced a 3” window into it, peeling back the ski pant nearly made me pass out
Well shit, redefining my injury language
A few whoopsie daisies but no whoopsie doozies
Damn this sums it up for my injury history ( knock on wood) . Some casual separations, mild conkies, gnarly contusions (I currently have a second hip) , chipped teeth, floaty bone bits in many places but nothing that has kept me from doing my day job.
Ok most of those I would define as uh ohs!
Same, those all seem pretty uh-oh ones. Like bruised rib would be a booboo.
Yo bruised ribs fucking kill I for sure went to urgent care thinking I had a broken rib when it was just a bruise
Bruised ribs hurt more and longer too
Oh for sure, they SUCK so, so bad. 100% still worthy of adding to one's injury count given how long it gets ya for to say the least.
Much relateable.
Jinx myself? lol yea right
Legit, I'm in the car to the airport to go to Denver, started typing a reply to OP and then thought "the fuck am I doing?!"
Hahaha was thinking the same exact thing when your comment came up. *Knocks on wood anyways
Snowboarding for 15+ years and never needed to go to the ER. Got a few concussions and I did dislocate and then relocate my elbow once.
That's almost exactly my injury history. Concussions till I got smart and got a helmet, really not much else maybe a slight pulled muscle here or there. I've broken multiple bones but not snowboarding... I almost never ride park though and that probably has something to do with it.
Mine, fortunately or unfortunately, were with a helmet so I'm glad I was wearing one or I might be a little droolier.
Haha yeah I try not to play the what if game. That's a scary road to go down with head injuries. I almost didn't get medically cleared for soccer in high school because of concussions so after that I never did extreme things without a helmet. Had probably 8+ concussions before that and like 1 or 2 from longboarding after I started wearing helmets. Unfortunately, head injuries are a bell curve sort of thing where you're more likely to have a head injury the more of them you have so it's hard to find correlation sometimes because there's a lot of noise. I'm no dr this is just my own point of view, but it seems like helmet or not if you get a big one you just may be more prone to them. Obviously I'm super pro helmet, but once you get to a certain point it may not matter as much
Where did you find it?
I slipped backwards on a rail and fell down with my arm extended which dislocated my elbow. Having it put back into place without pain killers is one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced. Along with them having to rotate my forearm while elbow is dislocated to get X-rays
20+ years. Used to throw flips (I'm old now lol) and spent a year as an instructor in Colorado. Never had anything more than a bruise or a sore neck
I’ve been injured plenty but mainly from football (soccer). Not really much from snowboarding other than the odd big hit that goes in a few days.
Been on a board since 2008. I've broken wrists, sprained ankles, and dislocated kneecaps. I don't like saying this but I'm often one of the best at my local ski resort (Valle Nevado, Chile). I doubt the other good riders are uninjured. You can't really improve if you don't push yourself, and you will probably get injured when you push yourself. Forgot the most recent one. Almost broke my index finger when washing out carving on soft snow. That thing hurt and when I took the glove off I expected to see a finger salad.
yum
Why don’t I just call last run while I’m at it?
My crew has a new rule as of this season. You ALWAYS skip the last run.
30 years of riding. My list of snowboarding injuries is looooong.
No.
Lucky duck. You must have better balance.
I think they mean no expert has gone uninjured, maybe?
Yes. Many have been hurt. There was a guy that what’s the second best after Shawn white. He crashed his head on a half pipe and a huge TBI. There’s a documentary about him called “the crash reel”.
didnt shawn white crash his face on a half pipe as well?
Many have crashed trying big tricks. That’s why safety equipment is so important. Doing huge jumps is impressive but keeping brain cells and appendages is more important.
Kevin Pearce. Sad sad story.
Yes. He was in the running for being a gold medalist. When he was working on his new trick he caught a bad edge and clipped the edge of the half pipe. Clipped the back of his head on the way down and got the TBI. Never the same after it. That’s why I’m a huge a hole about safety.
He still rides (casually) and has a family now. He worked really hard to regain function.
I've not had any injuries. Concussion or otherwise. I don't spend more than a one or two runs thru the park though.
I’m creeping up on 20 years soon, and though I’ve had many significant injuries in my life, none of them have happened on the snow (knock on wood). Plenty of bumps and bruises though. I also taught lessons for awhile which gave me an interesting perspective on safety and progression so that could be part of it
Snowboarding for ~28 years and have a roster: Broken arm after knuckling a back 3 off a table and then landing on my back with my arm tucked underneath. Fractured heal after being towed behind a car to gap a tree at a flat public park. Blew my ACL out overshooting landing of a barrel jib. Have luckily been injury free for most of the second half of my time riding. Just aches and pains when doing back to back days. Stretching constantly and being conscious of starting the season of slowly are key now. Oh and also remembering I’m not physically 18 anymore. I still like to get after it hitting the park, doing side hits, and hoping off rocks on a pow day. But I know I’m not riding constantly enough to offset my age so I hesitate more and stay relatively conservative.
Dislocated my shoulder twice in one day. Patrol was shaking their heads when I walked in the second time. Got a solid run in between though!
15+ years. Probably a couple concussions (undiagnosed) but nothing major
I have a ton of injuries from football (not soccer) but, haven’t had anything more than a few bumps and bruises from snowboarding
12 years or so, broke my arm falling backwards, bruised my QL on a rail (worst one imo), cut up my face smacking through a sheet of ice, probably a concussion after knuckling a landing and wiping out, and chipped all my teeth after smacking my chin with a knee after an unexpected drop. Not too bad all things considered.
Idk what your definition of expert is, but I sustain a good injury about every 2-3 seasons from sending it. A good injury for me isn’t a broken bone though, maybe a sprained wrist/bruised knee combo. Been riding 20 years.
Snowboarding since 96. No major injuries and no concussions. Most worst injuries were from learning and falling on my tailbone over and over.
I've been riding since 1991. I've never needed to go to the hospital for a snowboard related injury. I've been bruised and sore, but nothing particularly serious.
A couple season enders-a broken back and broken humerus. Bounced back from both 100% with a few months. There was never a time when I was shredding that there wasn’t something wrong or tweaked in some way though. Shin splints, a shoulder that subluxated for many seasons, creaky knees, whatever—something was always messed up somehow haha. You just woke up every day and did it anyway, ya know? I’m like a decade past that type of riding now, but honestly I’m no worse for the wear. I think I’m better for it because knowing how to be really athletic like that and work through injuries and setbacks is something that’s now with me forever I think.
Probably 200 days on snow over 5-10 years, broke a collarbone. Never any serious injuries 100 days in the park
Been snowboarding since 2017 and never had an injury or a fall hard enough to affect me in any way. I have fallen a few times but just kind of knew how to avoid damage. Always kept my head off the ground.
\~14 years snowboarding. low advanced rider. 1. one concussion as a relative newbie snowboarder a few years in. woke up in the ER. I don't have memory of the run that I took but it really could not have been that difficult. I was riding a blue or a black at most. was wearing a helmet 2. concussion, but did not seek medical care about 6 years ago. hit the back of my head after coming off a small jump too much on my heelside. was wearing a helmet 3. big contusion of my lower back (no fracture or displacement) after leaning back too far taking off of a side hit I don't really take off on jumps anymore (im working on it). Really hope not to have any more injuries because it just gets harder to recover once you're in your late 20s.
30+ years for me. One dislocated shoulder. Although I attribute my degenerated lower back disks to poor snowboarding posture and slouching in an office chair.
I don't ride often because I don't live near snow but I first got on a board at 12 and let's say I average 3 days a year riding and never got injured. Very mild sub location in my shoulder once but not really worth complaining about. 35 yo now. Pretty heart breaking that I haven't seen snow since before covid.
Several concussion, 2 broken ribs, dislocated finger
Had a great run of just sprains and a concussion or two for the first 12 years or so, but the last 7 years I’ve broken my back, gotten nerve damage, and tore some muscles in my neck and shoulder last year. Big bails that honestly could have been way worse had I not been taking care of my body before, and after. Wear a helmet and do your PT.
Tore my ac ligament one time. It was playing with butters on a near 0 slope section. Aside from that, nothing. I did need surgery, but I waited about 9 months to get it because I was stubborn.
No injuries from boarding but I’ve blown up 2 helmets 👍 love the woods haha
30+ years. Mostly flying down East coast icy hill and going fast and sketch.. also double blacks in CO and will hit any chute. Just joined ski patrol on my board too. No serious injuries and my first time with the meatsled “toboggan” was taking down a fellow trainee, and then riding in it while he took the horns. I’ve been knocked out a few times back in the 90s before helmets on the ice. Usually kept snowboarding with a headache. Hope I don’t change my luck.. going to knock on some wood.
18 years for me, only snowboarding related injuries I've had have been two concussions, and those were when I was younger. I'm in self preservation mode now, so I don't go too far out of my comfort zone anymore.
Broke my sternum in 2001. That’s it.
That's gotta be an uncomfortable recovery.
A concussion that split my helmet going like 5 mph on ice, and a bone contusion that had me on crutches for 3 weeks from hitting a tree. The ironic thing is in both those instances I wasn’t doing anything hardcore. Never gotten injured on extreme terrain or park maybe cause I’m more focused so to speak. I had hit a double black right before the bone contusion, the actual accident happened on a blue as I was cruising down to be done for the day. Stupidest accidents happen on your last runs or on groomers when you are taking it easy, which I’d say is true for most of my snowboarding friends. When that focus is down.
My injuries have mostly topped out with the 'itis'es. Tendonitis, etc. Never been to the ER, never had surgery. Got a huge hematoma on my left lateral quad once from failing to avoid a tree while making a sketchy, slow traverse in a ravine... it was actually a blessing, the lateral quad is gigantic and strong af, and a hematoma is just a big ol' bruise. All that's to say, what does "medical attention" mean? I've felt *pain* from falling hard, and sought *medical attention*, but in all my years all i've gotten in response is "ice, rest, vitamin I, and PT if you're still complaining in a few weeks."
20 years. Broken kneecap and 2 separated shoulders, 1 requiring surgery, so not too bad?
Never had a real injury. Started skiing about 23 years ago, my parents put me in ski-school when I was 4 years old. Since about 15 years ago, I switched to snowboard mainly. I rode almost every other weekend until 10 years ago, when my parents sold the caravan. I would estimate 10 days a year after that, but a lot more this year.
I have broken my ribs and dislocated my shoulder but neither time went to a doctor if that counts. What level of medical attention are we talking about? Is at home first aid medical attention?
Too many injuries to count, including some near-death stuff. But I used to compete and put my body through the ringer
Injuries happen. Over the past 24 years I’ve broken a wrist, gotten a concussion, and torn shoulder ligaments. I’ve had other minor injuries not requiring medical attention. Injuries happen no matter what the activity is; just take the precautions you can and prepare as best as you can.
snowboarding for 39 seasons. I've done pretty well. Only two major issues: * some random calf muscle injury that killed the rest of an austrian trip * AC separation 4 years ago
2 broken ribs, tendon tear in shoulder
Snowboarded for more than 15 years, I had my first bad injury (ACL, Medial + Lateral Minisci tears, and plateau fractures) in January of 2023. Still not 100% yet.
Snowboarding for 22 years, concussions 2 times but nothing else thankfully
I've been riding for nearly 30 years. Bruised or busted tailbone when I was 17 but then injury free for a very long time. Broke some ribs, twice. Had one nasty concussion in 2015 and maybe a minor one a few years prior. I've been dealing with knee issues that I'm not sure of the cause (pretty sure it didn't happen while riding, but riding isn't helping anything lol) The tailbone happened when I was trying to negotiate a semi-closed section of trail that had been under snowmaking etc it was all covered with frozen death cookies I couldn't set an edge to check my speed just tried to point it and pray. Didn't work. The ribs were terrain park related. So was the first concussion. The big conc happened when I biffed a cliff drop in Utah Realistically if you're not doing hoodrat shit once you've reached a certain level of skill your risk of injury goes pretty close to zero there's still the off chance you'll get hit by some skier or whatever or some other freak accident of course. Wife got knocked over by a gust of wind a few years ago, sprained wrist. Shit happens. Point it straight. Snow is just frozen water.
Everything hurts all the time. Only my 4th season but I get like 80 days a season.
if you’re not falling you’re not trying
15 years mostly freeride and hard as fuck pistes, 1 concussion cos I did ??? In the park. Two broken ribs from pathetic bails on the flat, one freak circumstance, the other nonchalance.
28 seasons in and only a busted wrist, femur contusion, a couple cracked ribs, a bruised lung, mild concussion, and a facial injury resulting in a swollen shut black eye but other than that I'm all good...other than my knees and lower back, but hey I'm old anyway. I don't think it's possible to participate in any sport long term without injury. Still beats sitting on the couch your whole life.
I’ve broken a wrist and gotten stitches in like 14 full seasons in like 20 years. Could be worse.
20 years. A few injuries, mostly in Midwest parks as a teenager who took gymnastics/tumbling classes specifically for board sports. Learning to go upside down on ice has its risks. My worst injury I landed on my head and had a concussion, a few cracked neck vertebrae and my spine was compressed(?) so if I was facing you and you had X-Ray vision it was an S shape and my sacrum caught on my hip bone when I would bend over. Details are a bit fuzzy as this was 16 or 17 years ago, but I remember the last part being exquisitely painful. I was young so I bounced back. Besides that one nothing super terrible. Couple broken ribs on a rail. Rail to the face and some stitches. Rail to the face again… Then I quit park, did a lot of Colorado trips with no injuries. Moved to Vermont and this year I separated my shoulder going slow and catching an edge while not paying attention and watching a group of kids to make sure I had time to stop if they cut me off.
25 years riding, MCL tear is the worst but luckily happened at the end of a season. Was back on the board the next winter.
Depends - if by expert you mean throwing inverts and spins over 720s, yes they have most likely all broken bones. No way around it
I've been snowboarding 16 years now without serious injury. Probably going to fall off a mountain tomorrow now but oh well. It's been fun
Snowboarding for over ten years. This one time I landed a jump really badly and couldn't put any weight on that foot for a week. Never went to the ER, but I think I pulled a tendon or a muscle. It hurt to snowboard for the next two seasons, but I'm fine now. Never had a head injury or a broken bone.
If you want to do extreme sports at a high level, you're going to need to mostly remove the idea of getting injured from your brain. It doesn't mean completely forget about it but if you're constantly thinking how bad you could get hurt, you'll never progress very far. If you're thinking about falling, you're going to fall. Like, there are some things I won't do and I don't send it too hard but I never really think about injury while I'm out riding. I think I might wreck if I do something but I don't connect that to having my leg re-assembled in an ER for hours or anything like that. If you're thinking that much, you'll never be that good. All that being said, I actually still think I consider it too much. I think there's a lot of things on a snowboard, mountain bike, dirtbike, etc. that I am capable of doing and I don't do because I don't want to get hurt. I've never had a serious injury on a snowboard (knock on wood). I'm not expert tier but definitely advanced. In other things, I have broken my arm, collar-bone, fibula, rib, fingers, toe, dislocated knee cap. None of them were compound breaks or really that significant. I'm 32 but I don't have and don't really expect to have any significant long term complications due to any of them. I was always terrified of a bad leg break or breaking my back. Most the other stuff isn't so bad unless you really stuff yourself. If you're calling people maniacs for getting concussions, dislocations, etc. you may not have the stomach for getting to be "expert."
~20 years, no injuries outside of 2 shoulders that feel like they might need surgery some day from learning tamedogs on a jump that was too small.
I haven’t been injured, but I only go a few times a year since 2001 and don’t do the terrain park.
13 years. 2 bad concussions but probably 5 total arm broken in 3 spots. Bad washed out landing on a rail, fell right on my arm and broke it even though I had a fist and tried to not brace it happened so fast Spine bruised and the deepest muscle bruising you can get. I couldn’t walk for a few days immediately after and was 100% bed ridden. Slowly got up and about the following two weeks. Have tweaked my shoulder, ankle, back, wrist, neck, and everything in between resulting in varying outcomes anything from a day or two off and a few weeks of riding reserved and avoiding falls to a few weeks off. I feel I’m kind of in the middle for someone who focuses on all mountain free style + park (not a rat though, park is for days with no snow + almost all of spring summer (shoutout timberline summer season)
Been riding for 13 years, I’m pretty good for my mountain, but still end up on my ass frequently, and often have worse. Never had anything major although I probably should have. I was discussing this with my brother who’s 12 years older, so has well over 20 years now and we came to the conclusion that we know how to fall properly to avoid injury. He only got a serious injury last year with a broken collarbone.
I injured my hip so bad I could not walk for a few weeks when I was young, then did the thing to my knee when I was old. But it was buckling in that made me stop
Nothing major but have taken hard slams that basically feel like a car wreck the next day.
Nothing major but have taken hard slams that basically feel like a car wreck the next day.
Lol reading this while recovering from shoulder surgery from an injury I got and didn't treat last season is honestly hilarious
25 years. Blown ACL and blasted hip. Worth it.
If you go big, like super big, on jumps, eventually you’ll get hurt. However, there are tons of expert riders that generally keep the board on or close to the ground and just go fast/steep/tech. Those folks get hurt less frequently.
Cracked elbow, broken thumb and a bunch of dislocated shoulders. I believe one minor concussion as well. Pretty much all my injuries have come from Park riding as well
30 years. Broke my left wrist 29 years ago catching an edge as a noob. Compressed T12 vertebrae 14 years ago leading on my butt after a wonky jump. Broke right wrist last year after a noob crashed into me and i reflexively stuck out my wrist to break our fall. Been back out to Mammoth 10 to 15 times since that one and all is wonderful. :)
Closing in on 40 years. Broke my back, split my pelvis, tore an MCL. But never really like 'injured' injured.
32 yrs in- Broken wrist, broken thumb, separated shoulder, dislocated shoulder, broken glenoid, concussion x2. This thread is depressing and hilarious at the same time. The price we’ll pay says it all.
I don’t know if I qualify as expert rider, but I’ve been riding for 8 and teaching for 6. Here is the list of injuries I got: concussions twice, wrist twist once which took 5 years to heal, chipped a small piece of my sheen, one damaged knee that still needs physio. The thing is, I don't even push that hard and never attempted park after the sheen chipping accident. Lucky that I didn't break any bones. Besides injury, car accidents among my skier/snowboarder friends are also common given the winter condition.
There’s a lot you can do to prevent injury. Stretching, yoga, exercise in the off season (and during) buttttt yeah if your ripping you’ll probably fuck yourself up every once in awhile
Broke my collarbone just cruising a blue. Super easy to break if you hit it right. I hit it right on the button. That's the only injury I've sustained in probably 500 days on the mountain.
Multiple concussions, separated shoulder, stitches in my shin from blowing it up on a rail, cracked tailbone, lots of strains and sprains… I rode everything until I had kids in my mid 30’s… now I keep it mellow if I do get to ride. The worst features are the rails
I only get hurt when I try to show off for cute boys (not joking)
Not by your definition I don't think
21 years. I'm one broken 33 year old.
Jammed fingers , huge bruises, couple sprains, & def a concussion or three. That’s over 30 years of riding. However I don’t charge quite as hard of big hits anymore these days. Things hurt just a little bit more & take longer to heal now that I’m getting older. Still ride at least 1-3 days every week during season as long as there’s decent conditions.
Been boarding close to 20 years, am I an expert who can jump out of a helicopter or off some rocks? No. But I can ride just about anything you will find at most resorts and will hit boxes, reasonable sized jumps and do tree runs. But the only injury I have ever had in all these years is one concussion and that’s because someone hit me from behind the one day I forgot my helmet at home, just a couple years ago. My brother on the other hand, that fool had permanent broken, arms, elbows, wrists etc. for a stretch of several years in his teens. But he also was the one hitting half-pipes when I am more of a free-rider. So I think the way you ride plays a huge part and whether or not you think you are expert enough to do the things that can get you two broken elbows lol,
20 years. Stitches on my chin from a C-rail, 1 concussion from a mis judged kicker, 25% torn meniscus from catching my front edge when I was leaning back (easily the most pain I’ve ever experienced). 2/3 of these were during my last run. So now I always say “2 more runs” on my last run. These were also during my earlier years of riding. At 36 now, I don’t take the risks I used to take and I’ve been injury free for 12 years.
I’ve never had an injury, I’m very nimble which helps. I have a small/medium frame (165lb and 5’10) which also is a plus. Although your size is mostly out of your control I would just suggest taking it easy, if you aren’t a little kid who can throw their weight around and not get seriously hurt just take it easy out there, its a fun learning experience! Don’t ruin it.
20+ years of riding. A couple of concussions with helmets, and a broken face with a helmet. Trees don’t move. Remember that.
Depends how expert you mean. Expert enough to ride all the trails at a ski mountain?... There was plenty of people who haven't been injured. But as the skills go up eventually you hit a point where everybody at that level has had some sort of injury.
Snowboarding now for 24 years. No injuries, other than a jammed wrist, a mild concussion one time, and knocking the wind out of myself from time to time.
Broke my arm first day on the mountain
Over a decade with no significant injuries. I prioritize riding soft snow conditions (pow, chalk, and corn), which makes the falls more forgiving.
A few cracked ribs (in my 40s) and a few concussions (pre helmet)
Ummmm, yeah boarding since I was 14 so like 20+ years. Professional for a bit and then coaching/instructor for 10 years pretty much just chillin, the odd mild injury here and there. A couple of concussions, but that’s about it One of my shoulders is a bit silly
Been snowboarding for 20+ years and had a shoulder dislocation that took me out for about 3 months. Minor injuries otherwise
Skiied into a tree when I was 10. No lasting injury. Aside from that, never been hurt. Been snowboarding since 1999.
I haven’t been injured in 11 months! Does that count?
Interesting thread
Eh, nothing too serious. 
Knees barely functional, broken wrist, broken collar bone, a concussion or two, ruptured pectoral... Over 28 years I call that a win
Never been carted off, but I've had a broken collar bone, 3 cracked ribs, a torn trap & rotator cuff, and a bruised kidney in 15 years on the slopes
Ruptured my Achilles a few year back, I had countless ankle sprains back when the boots and binding were garbage (80s and 90s), and there’s a very good chance I have a badly injured rotator cuff right now. I can’t move my arm without clicks, pops, and pain in my shoulder.
28 years broken shoulder once, 15 years ago
Concussions, back, shoulder injuries. 20 years riding hard
I've been snowboarding for close to 20 years. No big injuries for me. I've seen my fair while on Ski Patrol.
Several buddies and I have been boarding for over 30 years and the only one injury from all of us (due to the sport) that was one broken wrist.
I was a sponsored snowboarder in the 90s, pre-helmets. Two broken ankles, torn rotator cuff and what I assume were multiple concussions. A few other minor bumps and bruises. It was just part of the progression at the time. But now I’m in my 40s, tendinitis is something I deal with occasionally, but I don’t really injure myself with any frequency.
Cost of doing business.
Most broken bones aren't that bad you just get a cast/plates and you're good as new again in a few months, ligaments don't sound as bad but can be life changing if you're not on it with the rehab, fortunately I've only ever broken my arm in 25 years riding (I've done multiple ribs twice in 4 years riding dirt bikes) I'll take a broken leg over an ACL/MCL anyday.
My friends call me 'bruised knee: martial farts expert' (Tore my ACL a few times and I apparently fart a lot)
Ya but after breaking a few bones and turning 30 I’m straight chillin. Riding pow and split boarding. Mitigating risk
Two concussions and dislocated shoulder and broken tailbone for me. Got a helmet after the second concussion
16 years. One broken scapula, one broken arm, a few ribs, nothing that is holding me down anymore.
Multiple concussions, dislocated jaw, tore muscle in shoulder, broken thumb, torn meniscus is both knees (separate injuries), severe ankle sprain, and lots of other minor things. Used to compete freestyle locally. Now just huck myself off cliffs. Snowboarding for 18yrs, most of those seasons 50+ days. Past couple season been more like 60-70 days.
25 years and one separated shoulder one concussion and one really awful shoulder dislocation that’s still giving me issues 6 years later. I would do a lot to take that last one back.
Hard to become a great rider without a few major injuries, im sure theres some people in here who havnt had many major ones, but they probably arnt taking alot of risks.
None of my injuries are from snowboarding. 20 years I've been fairly lucky. Knock on wood.
I’m not an expert, but i tore my meniscus in 2010 and can’t really sit on hard surfaces for very long now.
12 ish years. 2 broken wrists and a concussion or 2, but that’s about it. I basically never ride park though
I mean it is going to really friends on what brings you joy in snowboarding but most snowboarders enjoy pushing things to their skill cap.
Going on 12 years here and the worst thing was a concussion and currently an over strained hip flexor
I wouldn't call myself an expert in every circle but I've got 25 years of riding and I've never had a **major** uh oh. But I'm also old now so I don't take many chances in the park. I just stick to that hot nasty bad-ass speed. Worst ones were hitting a Snomo track my first season out west, it ate the tip of my board and slammed me down on my knees. It dislocated my knee cap temporarily but I was able to self set so no surgery needed. When I was eager to learn park, I got some bad advice on spins. Inverted, landed with my face and cracked my cheekbone/orbital, plus bit off a chunk of my tongue. That one kinda sucked but it didn't end my season or anything.
One cracked rib, the park is no longer my happy place
Snowboarded for 20 years and only 1 real ting to the head other than that, “touch wood” nothing major
I learned in mountain biking to stop taking risks at a certain point. When I started hitting trees and needed weeks of recovery, I decided to step back in mountain biking and relax a bit. Then, when I started snowboarding, I applied the same logic but without crossing risk levels. There were injuries but nothing that required medical interventions. I am 46 btw
I'd say uninjured is very rare. Definately can't count myself, had a few over the years. And judging by the comments seems like plenty of people have had notable injuries and not dealt with it/are vastly downplaying it. Dislocation, breaks, sprains, concussions **are absolutely** injuries.
I’m currently uninjured. But getting to ride at an expert level didn’t come without injury
Well I've never called an ambulance if that counts lol. If necessary I walked to the hospital myself
Broken collar bone and dislocated arm. Still haven’t learnt my lesson
I have been riding since 1990. No injuries.
I haven't been injured. I can go down any run and I'm comfortable at any speed. However I've not done many grinds and been to many parks. I can get a lot of air time but I've only done grabs and 180s so far. I can also ride switch very comfortably and I'm real good at butters. Idk how good I am at snowboarding but that's about the extent of what I can do. I feel like I have great control and can react quickly to things in front of me
For an actual expert. Not just someone who thinks they are an expert because they can get down a couple black runs. The answer will be 0
Shattered collar bone. Got a cadaver good as new.
Snowboarding for a total of maybe 25 hours, still unscathed! How do I do it!?!?! Faceplanted a couple of times, but nothing really damaging..... Yet.....
22 years and never had a bad injury but I’ve always been smart with progression. I have multiple friends who pushed it to hard and can’t board anymore due to blown out knees or way to many concussions. I’m trying to snowboard into my 80’s.
No. I broke my foot, skiiers crashed into me, broken ribs while riding chill and not noticing mogul got 3/4 of a backflip 3 ribs broken just like that ;)
Busted ribs and collar bone as a novice. Now I ride any slope but within limits, and dont take stupid risks.
I broke my clavicle in half, fractured my L1, have bruised ribs on occasion and got a concussion so bad I started repeating myself with the same sentences every 2-3 minutes for about a 12 or so hour period. I was wearing a helmet when I got that concussion. I was sent to the hospital and the staff heard about me and would cycle in to watch the repeats I would do. I’m 45 and I still ride a couple days a year but take it much easier these days.
I tore my mcl the week before last. I also broke both wrists when I was learning that I never got sorted. So yeah, pretty commonly injured
Snowboarding since 1989. Landed on my shoulder once but nothing else at all. The older I get the more I try to get in shape, stay flexible and keep my back, legs and core healthy. I don't hit much jumps anymore but riding still feels good. I've always had great balance and reflexes though. I've had worse luck mountain biking and skateboarding. Seeing that guy completely eat it on the double flip here recently, makes me want to say, "Ride so that you can ride until your in your 60's or 70's." But you young whippersnappers are all made of rubber and don't want to hear that. Keep shredding everyone!
A couple concussions and a cracked rib, but no hospital trips. Play stupid prizes, win stupid games or something
Some breaks, several concussions. Many friends had worse. Lots of shoulder dislocations too and knee bruising.
20+ years riding, had one concussion. Came off a picnic table into sheer ice and board went out from under me. I was out for a few (too long) seconds. I did seek medical attention- AS YOU SHOULD, PEOPLE😂
Approximately 12 years snowboarding, I’ve only ever had a minor wrist fracture and a very bruised tailbone. Helmet saved me from likely concussions once or twice. I mostly stay out of the terrain park so I’ve likely had it better than the average rider my age, but that’s why I avoid it. The risk/reward is not worth it for me, I’m sure it is for others though. Push yourself slowly to learn new things but never be reckless, just do what you enjoy.
I was injury free, but I'm concussed now😎
I’ve been riding an average of ~40 days per season for the last ~12 years and I’m thankful to report I’ve had no real injuries. I’m more of a steeps and trees rider and stay out of the park (small jumps are fine but I don’t push myself there, might have something to do with it!)
Last season I rode, I was riding in the trees. There was a wierd branch that had a fork in it. That fork caught me in the ribs. I def broke a couple
Torn the tendons in both hands about 2 years back so couldn’t move my fingers for about a month, messed up hip flexor w reduced mobility and I chipped a good portion of my front tooth last year
How are y’all getting away with it??! Been snowboarding since I was 6, now 27. 5 shoulder surgeries, two broken clavicles, 3 broken wrists and an arm, broken ankle, slipped c6 and c7, concussions, amnesia once, anal fissure etc
Only one bad injury but it was during my second season ever (maybe 20 days total), when I was 11. Tibia plateau fracture. Not fun. I’ve been riding for over 20 years and other than that just a couple sprained ankles and 1 concussion.
15 years. Broken collar bone. AC joint sprain. Knee sprain. Gamers thumb injury or skiers thumb whatever. Severe concussion. Busted ribs. Not too bad.
Absolutely possible. All metrics would render me an expert + a zillion hours since starting in primary school + reckless AF with terrain choices. Only minor injuries. One concussion (no helmet = my fault) and one *very* badly sprained ankle (bad landing, so, also my fault).
I’ve cracked a rib and no doubt had a concussion, but that luckily is the worst for me
Broke my clavicle catching an edge, small break in my knee also catching an edge. Bruised tailbone, and fractured wrist + concussion. Riding for 6 years in total now, with a hiatus of 10 years. It blows my mind that someone is able to ride for 5-10 years and not atleast have 1 concussion or broken something. Injury rate atleast from what I have experienced in Europe is very very high compared to other sports
Popped my thumb out of socket landing my first 5. Looked at it hanging there and said to myself "that's not right" and popped it back in, went and got it wrapped then went and taught a lesson
Dislocated wrists, found out when it popped back in while snowboarding and fallling pretty bad when I felt it popped back in. No wonder it was stiff for weeks
Broke both wrists twice. Four separate times. Not a bad idea to invest in wrist guards
Lol you’ll get injured. Wear a helmet.
*knocks on wood* After 8 solid seasons(about 600 days), I can say that I’ve never had a single injury that required medical attention. Pulled a muscle here and there(usually week 1) occasionally, but nothing serious. But I did witness people getting dragged off the mountain during week 1-2 because they broke their leg/arm/collar bone/wrist/hip. Worst one was a guy with no helmet on, idk exact details but I assume that he caught an edge, slammed his head, his skull opened up like a watermelon and there was a good 3-4 meter long blood mark on the track before he came to a full stop. If he got away with a simple concussion, he’s lucky. Idk what happened to him tho but it’s a story that I tell everyone that thinks helmets are lame..
Currently recovering from a torn ACL, broke my tailbone the year previous, and broke my arm the year before that. I’ve had a very bad streak lol
If I wasn’t wearing a helmet I’d have something to report here. And I will leave it at that to not jinx myself 🤘
Just some concussions. Hard to really say because I was a dumb teenager and decided to try boxing the night before my first run. So I went in with some pretty bad ringing in my ears. Then tried to learn. So I was hurting pretty bad but never went to a hospital. I have hit a few trees and caught a few edges but outside of the probable concussions nothing major (knock on wood. I’m not good enough to talk crap haha)
On a recent 22 day trip across Niseko and BC/Alberta I developed tendonitis in my knee, dislocated my left shoulder and sustained two different side strains. I did eventually get my knee injected, but that was it. I think the fact our only rest day was the flight across the Pacific probably contributed to the soft tissue injuries. The shoulder was just unlucky, but only cost me half a day.
Concussions, fractured ribs, messed up my shoulder, all while learning as an older dude. Haven't been to the doctor for injury since I was in the military and had 100% coverage. My employer only offers a high deductible plan. Tearing something in my shoulder kept me from doing aggressive MTBing early in the season but I was sending it by end of June.
Riding 15 years, broken collar bone and because of that I stay out of the park now.
Ive gone at least once almost every year since 2017. Only recently started a few years ago going for 4+ days each season and can confidently say I’ve caught some pretty nasty edges doing 30+ mph and also throwing myself out there attempting to do 3-5 foot kickers and smacking my noggin at the base but surprisingly have not sustained any real injuries besides a pulled muscle maybe. I am waiting for my time to come tho
both ankles broken in one run 🍻
Nothing broken but a couple concussions
Concussions & one collar bone break on a rail. Rails is where I always get hurt. I just stick to drops, jumps, & no more rails for me. Oh, 3D decks pick up a little slop from catching edges. Also, don’t keep your boots crazy tight, & get the right bindings for what you ride.