Search Results (10)

Serbian ski resorts’ altitude and latitude are lower than in most European ski resorts. In the context of climate change and the Serbian Government’s plans to keep opening new ski resorts, this study examines the competitiveness of Serbian ski resorts in the eyes of domestic tourists, hence the justification of new developments. This research was carried out in three steps: a statistical analysis of a survey conducted among domestic tourists, an interpretation of the context based on responses to open-ended questions, and a comparison of Serbia’s most popular ski resorts with leading ski resorts in Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Italy, and France. The results showed that Serbian tourists focus on value for money, skiing, and ski infrastructure quality rather than additional activities such as cultural tours, entertainment, or wellness. In the context of international discussions on climate change impacts, environmental consequences of ski resorts, and survey results, we recommend that future strategies of ski resort operators in Serbia focus on developing and promoting complementary activities to winter sports and prioritizing the redevelopment of existing ski resorts rather than constructing new ones. Full article

Tatra National Park (TNP) is one of the most popular national parks in Poland. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the number of tourists visiting the Park each year from 1993 with a special focus on the COVID-19 period. The main part of this study focused on tourist traffic data for the period from 1993 to 2023. Daily, monthly, and annual data were examined. The source of most of the data is park entry ticket sales. The largest number of tourists entering TNP in the period of 1993–2022 was recorded in 2021 at 4,788,788. Tourist traffic in TNP is concentrated on so-called long weekends in May and June. An examination of data from 2010, 2015, and 2021 shows that tourist volumes on the long weekend of 1–3 May be up to 40 times larger than those on other weekends in May. On the other hand, long weekends in June can attract eight times more tourists relative to the average other weekends in June. The number of tourists engaging in hiking, climbing, spelunking, and ski touring declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, the number of ski tourers in TNP in 2021 was about four times larger than the total between 2015–2022. Data on traffic patterns are key in designing, implementing, and measuring the efficiency of solutions for sustainable management for both the peak usage periods and future patterns in tourism. Full article

The Q-slope (2015) geomechanical classification is the only empirical methodology for slope stability analysis that considers the effect of ice. This article shows the results of its application for icy slopes in Spain. Despite its sunny image, Spain is a mountainous country with cold winters. Slopes alongside a mountain road and a ski resort carpark have been studied in Puerto de Navacerrada (Madrid region) and Benasque (Pyrenees). This work combines the manual collection of geomechanical data on slope characteristics with an empirical analysis of slope stability and remote data acquisition techniques (Structure from Motion, SfM). The results of the field data collection are shown in a metaverse with two approaches: a 360° image virtual tour and a 3D image repository. One of the novelties of this work is that researchers who wish to replicate these analyses can access a table of input parameters and make a virtual field trip to see the parameters included in this study. The results show that the Q-slope methodology is useful for stability analysis and is conservative in terms of recommendations: All the slopes that are seen as unstable appear as such, but some slopes that do not present problems are shown as “transitional” slopes. The data and observations taken are useful for increasing the methodology database and for completing existing graphs of stable vertical slopes with good quality, as well as slopes with little slope and low quality. Full article

Ski mountaineering, a new Olympic winter sport involving both climbing and descending snowy slopes, requires considerable physical and technical abilities, as well as highly specialized equipment. Herein, we briefly describe this equipment and its influence on performance and consider potential future advances. Skis, boots, and bindings must be light enough to facilitate climbing uphill (in which as much as 85% of the total racing time is spent) and, at the same time, provide stability and safety in often-challenging descents. A skier must be able to easily and rapidly attach and remove the adhesive skins under the skis that provide grip while skiing uphill. Poles and their baskets must be designed optimally to transfer propulsive force and help maintain balance. Despite the popularity of ski mountaineering, research on this sport is scarce, and we indicate a number of areas wherein improvements in equipment could potentially advance both performance and safety. Such advances must be based on a better understanding of the biomechanics of ski mountaineering, which could be obtained with novel sensor technology and can be best achieved via more extensive collaboration between researchers, skiers and their coaches, and manufacturers of ski mountaineering equipment. Full article

Skiing is a popular winter activity spanning various subdisciplines. Key hardware are ski boots, bindings, and skis, which are designed to withstand loads generated during skiing. Obtaining service forces and moments has always been challenging to researchers in the past. The goal of the present study is to develop and test a lightweight and compact measurement system to obtain the Ground Reaction Forces and the kinematics for ski touring and alpine ski. To do so, we adapted two six-axis load cells to fit into ski touring and alpine skis adding 20 mm height and 500 g weight to the original ski. To measure kinematics, we created custom angular sensors from rotary potentiometers. The system was tested indoors using a force platform and motion capture system before a first set of field tests in which the sensors were used to measure ski touring and alpine skis kinetics and kinematics. Validation trials showed maximum errors of 10% for kinetics and 5% for kinematics. Field tests showed data in agreement with previous findings on the topic. The results of this study show the possibility of using our system to study biomechanics and equipment performances for ski touring, alpine skiing, and possibly other disciplines. Full article

Background: Lightning strikes are a risk during mountain-sport activities. Yet little is known about the prevalence of injuries related to lightning strikes during mountain hiking, backcountry skiing, or high-altitude mountaineering. This study therefore examined the occurrence and characteristics of lightning-strike-related emergencies during mountain-sport activities in the Swiss Alps. Methods: We analyzed 11,221 alpine emergencies during mountain hiking, 4687 during high-altitude mountaineering, and 3044 during backcountry skiing in the observational period from 2009 to 2020. Identified cases were analyzed in detail regarding age, sex, the time of occurrence, altitude, location, the severity of the injury as quantified by its NACA Score (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Score), and injury pattern. Results: We found no cases related to backcountry skiing. Eight cases of lightning strikes during mountain hiking (four female and four male) were identified. The mean age was 32.5 ± 17.5 years, the mean NACA Score was 2.5 ± 1.9, and the mean altitude was 1883.8 ± 425.7 m. None of these cases were fatal, and only one victim was seriously injured. Fifteen cases were identified during high-altitude mountaineering (four female and 11 male). The mean age was 38.7 ± 5.2 years, the mean NACA Score was 3.1 ± 2.5, and the mean altitude was 3486.4 ± 614.3 m. Two lightning strikes were fatal. In these two cases, rope partners were injured by a lightning strike (NACA Score = 4). Most cases were on relatively exposed terrain, such as the Matterhorn Hörnligrat or the Eiger Mittellegigrat. Discussion: The typical victims were 30–40-year-old men. It is possible that the lightning strikes are a consequence of a lower risk aversion among these alpinists, which is be supported by the fact that most of the events occurred on famous mountains such as the Matterhorn or Eiger. Furthermore, since most of the locations were on relatively exposed terrain where one could not quickly find shelter, we recommend careful tour planning with serious consultation of the weather forecast and the likelihood of thunderstorms before climbing exposed sections to prevent emergencies related to lightning strikes. Full article

Background: Large technical developments in avalanche transceivers as well as in ski–shoe-binding units should make backcountry skiing a safer sport and as a consequence, yield to a decrease in the number and severity of mountain emergency events. Methods: From 2009–2018, a total of 3044 mountain emergencies (953 females and 2091 males) were identified from the SAC (Swiss Alpine Club) central registry while backcountry skiing. These were classified descriptively by cause, whereby the severity of the mountain emergency was quantified with a NACA-Score (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Score). Results: A total of 1357 falls (44.6%), 558 emergencies caused by avalanches (18.3%), 408 cases of blocking (13.4%), 214 cases of illnesses (7.0%), 202 cases of losing way (6.6%), 138 cases of a crevasse accident (4.5%), and material failure in 30 cases (1%) were registered. For the remaining 137 cases (4.5%), no classification or rare forms were detected. No substantial sex differences were found in severity of injury, however looking at the two endpoints of the observed time frame, a significant increase in NACA-Score from 2009 to 2018 (2.1 ± 1.8 up to 2.6 ± 2.1, p < 0.01) was detected. Conclusions: The increase in the severity of mountain emergencies while backcountry skiing in the last decade might be due to the fact that too many inexperienced absolve backcountry tours. The tendency might be promoted by the improved material in the way that it seems easier to absolve a tour while underestimating potential hazards. Full article

Annually, millions of people engage in mountain sports activities all over the world. These activities are associated with health benefits, but concurrently with a risk for injury and death. Knowledge on death rates is considered important for the categorization of high-risk sports in literature and for the development of effective preventive measures. The death risk has been reported to vary across different mountain sports primarily practiced in the summer season. To complete the spectrum, the aim of the present review is to compare mortality rates across different mountain sports activities primarily practiced in winter. A comprehensive literature search was performed on the death risk (mortality) during such activities, i.e., alpine (downhill) skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ski touring, and sledging. With the exception of ski touring (4.4 deaths per 1 million exposure days), the mortality risk was low across different winter sports, with small activity-specific variation (0.3–0.8 deaths per 1 million exposure days). Traumatic (e.g., falls) and non-traumatic (e.g., cardiac death) incidents and avalanche burial in ski tourers were the predominant causes of death. Preventive measures include the improvement of sport-specific skills and fitness, the use of protective gear, well-targeted and intensive training programs concerning avalanche hazards, and sports-medical counseling for elderly and those with pre-existing diseases. Full article

Behavioral variables might play an important role in explaining the differences in injury rates across winter sport disciplines and injury prevention programs might be more specifically designed based on this knowledge. On ski slopes, alpine skiing, snowboarding, and ski touring are the predominant winter sport disciplines. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate possible differences in injury-related behavioral variables between practitioners of these disciplines. Using a matched re-analysis approach of a cross-sectional survey, 414 winter sport participants (alpine skiers, snowboarders, ski tourers, each n = 138) were analyzed on the differences in sensation seeking, treated injuries, and injury-related behavioral variables. Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel and Friedman tests revealed significantly higher sensation seeking, p < 0.001, and a significantly higher percentage of participants reporting to have consumed alcohol in the past five skiing days, p = 0.006, in snowboarders compared to alpine skiers. The participants with treated injuries showed higher sensation seeking, p < 0.050, and a higher percentage of snowboarders, p = 0.020, compared to participants without treated injuries. Injury prevention programs for snowboarders, who remain an important risk group for injury prevention, might benefit from considering a possibly higher percentage of alcohol-consuming participants and from providing information on injury-related risks of sensation seeking. Full article

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is socially relevant due to its high prevalence, high incidence and the affected population. A subpopulation of TKA patients exists that strives to be active and also return to sports after total joint replacement. In this context, a further group of TKA patients is interested in high-impact physical activities and want to proceed with such activities even after surgery. Focusing on winter sports, there is still a lack of evidence on whether ski mountaineering is feasible for this subgroup of patients. Therefore, this feasibility study examines the effects of moderate ski mountaineering on strength, balance, functional abilities and mental health in persons following a TKA. Methods: Eight patients (six males, two females; median age, 63 ± Interquartile range 9 years) with TKA were included in this study. The volunteers, who were pre-selected for a 7-day holiday in Sankt Johann (Tyrol, Austria), participated in five guided ski mountaineering tours. Statistical analyses of non-parametric longitudinal data were performed using analysis of variance. For gait parameters and the Feeling Scale, one-factor longitudinal models were used. Statistical significance was set at the level of p < 0.05. Results: A significant decrease in the S3-Check MFT stability index (p = 0.04), a significant increase in general well-being (p = 0.05), and a trend towards a decrease in general stress (p = 0.1) were detected, while all other parameters were unaffected. Conclusion: A 7-day recreational ski mountaineering holiday had no negative effects on ski-experienced patients with TKA and seemed to increase well-being. Further studies should focus on larger groups and use controlled designs. Additionally, long-term effects should be evaluated. Full article