Req 7c1 — Forward-Fall Injuries

Snowboarding has a specific injury pattern different from skiing. Because both feet are attached to one board, falls tend to go in one of two predictable directions: forward (onto your hands, wrists, and face) or backward (onto your tailbone, hips, and head). Forward falls are the most common and create distinct injury risks worth understanding before you ever click into a board.

Why Forward Falls Are Different in Snowboarding

When a skier loses balance and falls forward, their feet can separate from the skis and they often tumble and roll. A snowboarder’s feet are locked to the board — when you fall forward, the board comes with you, and your arms instinctively reach out to catch the impact. That’s where most of the damage happens.

Common Forward-Fall Injuries

Wrist fractures and sprains The most common snowboarding injury, caused by extending the arms to catch a fall. The force of the impact is transmitted through the palms and wrists, stressing the small wrist bones and the radius (the larger forearm bone near the wrist). The scaphoid fracture — a small wrist bone — is particularly common and can be slow to diagnose.

How to reduce risk: Wear wrist guards designed for snowboarding. They do not prevent all injuries, but they significantly reduce fracture risk by distributing force along the forearm. Wrist guards are one of the most evidence-supported pieces of protective gear in all of skiing and snowboarding.

Shoulder injuries When you fall onto an outstretched arm, the force can travel up the arm to the shoulder, causing AC joint separations (where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade) or dislocations.

How to reduce risk: Learn the technique for falling safely (below). Wrist guards help by keeping your wrists from collapsing in ways that transmit force upward.

Facial injuries A board edge or hard snow contact with the face can cause cuts, broken noses, and eye injuries.

How to reduce risk: Wear a helmet with a fitted visor or chin guard on aggressive terrain. Goggles protect your eyes from edge contact.

Concussion Forward falls can involve head contact with the snow if your momentum carries you over your outstretched arms.

How to reduce risk: Wear a properly fitted helmet every time you ride.

How to Fall Safely Forward

You cannot always prevent a fall, but you can train a safer falling response:

1. Tuck your chin toward your chest to avoid face contact with the snow.
2. Bend your elbows and try to land on your forearms and palms rather than straight, locked-out arms. This distributes force more broadly.
3. Roll with the momentum rather than slamming to a stop — a rolling fall reduces peak impact force.
4. Wear wrist guards — especially as a beginner, when falls are most frequent.

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