Sledging related minor and major injuries represent a significant workload at ski-area medical centers across the world. Although safety rules exist, they are seldom obeyed or enforced. We set out to determine the incidence of sledging related injuries, identifying trends and causative factors at a busy New Zealand Ski resort.

All sledging related injuries presenting during a 70-day period were prospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment were recorded. Sixty patients were identified, mean age 10 years, range 4-30 years. Injuries comprised; collisions with sledgers (21), collision with wall (14) and falling from sledge (14). Site of injury included head (36), lower limb (18), spine (9), upper limb (7), and abdomen (2). Fractures included; femur (1), tibia (1), fibula (1), ankle (2), cuboid (1), clavicle (2), scaphoid (1). One 9-year-old patient sustained a serious intracranial haemorrhage, with subsequent permanent neurological sequelae.

Sledging related injuries are mostly minor, however significant major injuries do occur requiring intervention at a secondary center. The potential for serious morbidity is evident. Recommendations supporting safety improvement measures does exist, however most were not implemented by the study cohort examined. The use of basic cycling helmets would seem an appropriate minimum level of protection, and greater sledging safety awareness should be encouraged.