Inspiring and energising...but risky?

Brilliant blue sky. Minus 12°C at 2500m. Crisp, snow. Incredible views across the mountains and the cloud-filled valley far below. Groomed, empty slopes. Can skiing get better than this? It’s hard to imagine how.

A day’s skiing in these conditions is tiring, inspiring, energising and challenging. Lungs full of cold, clean fresh air. The body exercised. The mind cleansed.

It is hardly surprising that so many visitors come for what is, a brilliant way for a family to enjoy time together. It may not be cheap, but it is probably one of the few ways late teenagers will be enthusiastic about going on a holiday with their parents. It’s a sport that grandparents can do together with their grandchildren.

However, the visitors’ homeward journey is not always as joyful as it should be. Ambition overtakes ability. Enthusiasm exceeds excellence and the results can be painful. So far this season in Austria 27 people have died in skiing accidents, quite a number of them youngsters. The thought of families returning home with one child fewer than they came with, is truly dreadful.

Skiing is a huge business. Millions of Euros are invested every year in new lifts and infrastructure. Thousands are employed maintaining the slopes, operating lifts, in catering and providing equipment. New ski technology and groomed slopes make skiing easier…and faster.

Anyone, however inexperienced, can ride to the top of a mountain and head off down steep “black” slopes at speeds that would not be allowed on many roads. There is no control over who skis down what slope – regardless of its steepness or the skier’s skill.

The freedom of the mountains is a wonderful thing. But when struggling out of the boots at the end of a brilliant skiing day, as well as being inspired, energised and exhausted, one is thankful for another safe return.