Association of Temperature and Cloud Conditions with Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the association between environmental conditions, specifically air temperature and cloud conditions (eg, sunny, partly cloudy, or cloudy/foggy), and types of injuries sustained by skiers and snowboarders.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study of adult patients (≥18 y of age) who presented with skiing- or snowboarding-related musculoskeletal injuries at a Utah ski resort clinic during the 2022–24 ski seasons. Data were extracted from electronic medical records and included demographics, injury type, air temperature, and categorized cloud conditions. Statistical analyses included bivariate comparisons using χ² analysis and analysis of variance and adjusted analyses using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

A total of 1813 patients were included; 62.2% were male, and 81.3% were skiers. Ligamentous knee injuries were the most common injury (31.3%). Unadjusted analysis showed a significant association between temperature and injury type (P<0.001), with higher temperatures linked to more upper extremity injuries and lacerations. Cloud condition showed no significant association with injury patterns (P=0.99). In the adjusted analysis, only head injuries remained significantly associated with temperature: For each 1°C increase, the odds of head injury increased by 6.4% (odds ratio = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02–1.11; P = 0.01). Cloud conditions were not significantly associated with any injury type.

Conclusion

Higher temperatures are associated with a modest increase in head injuries among skiers/snowboarders, whereas general cloud conditions do not significantly impact injury type. These findings suggest that while temperature may influence injury risk, particularly for head injuries, other factors likely contribute to injury patterns.