There’s a reason people keep going back to skiing.

The fresh mountain air. The first run of the day when your legs feel strong and everything clicks. The rhythm of linking turns, the speed, the views, and that unbeatable mix of freedom and focus. For many people, a ski trip is the highlight of their year.

But skiing is also demanding on the body - often more than we realise.

Long days on the slopes, repeated turning, unpredictable terrain, and fatigue all add up. Every winter, I see a noticeable increase in ski-related injuries at Stride Sports Physiotherapy in Marylebone, and many of them happen not because people did something reckless - but because their bodies weren’t quite prepared for what skiing asks of them.

This article covers the most common ski injuries I see in clinic, why they happen, and how sports physiotherapy can help reduce your risk so you can spend more time enjoying the mountains - and less time dealing with injury.

Why Are Ski Injuries So Common?

For most people, skiing is a once- or twice-a-year sport. But when you’re on the slopes, your body doesn’t get the memo.

Skiing places large twisting and loading forces through the body - particularly the knees - and demands good balance, coordination, strength, and endurance for hours at a time. Runs are often short and intense, followed by lifts, cold temperatures, and then another hard effort.

Add sudden changes of direction, icy or uneven terrain, and fatigue creeping in towards the end of the day, and injury risk rises quickly. In clinic, many ski injuries happen late afternoon, when legs are tired, reactions slow, and technique starts to slip.

The Most Common Ski Injuries

Knee Injuries (ACL, MCL, Meniscus)

Knee injuries account for around 30–50% of all ski injuries, making them the most common problem I see after ski trips.

These injuries often happen during twisting falls when the ski stays attached to the boot. When control through the hips and core drops, especially as fatigue sets in, the knee is left more vulnerable. Poorly fitted boots or incorrectly set bindings can increase this risk even further.

From a physiotherapy perspective, prevention isn’t just about “strong knees.” Effective rehab and injury prevention focus on building strong hips and glutes to help keep the knee in a safer position, improving single-leg balance and control, addressing weaknesses from previous injuries (even old ones that feel fine day to day), and developing enough endurance for the body to cope with long ski days rather than just short gym sessions.

Shoulder Injuries (Dislocations, Fractures, Rotator Cuff Injuries)

Shoulder injuries make up around 10–15% of ski injuries.

They usually occur when skiers fall onto an outstretched arm or instinctively brace during a loss of balance - something that’s far more likely on icy slopes, busy runs, or towards the end of the day when reactions are slower.

Physiotherapy helps by improving shoulder strength and control, building endurance for repeated falls or near-falls, and improving body awareness so the shoulder can tolerate unexpected movements more safely.

 

Practical Tips to Reduce Your Ski Injury Risk

A few simple decisions can make a big difference on the slopes:

-> Ski cautiously after après. Alcohol affects balance, reaction time, and judgement. Many serious injuries happen late afternoon after drinking, so rather take it easy on the way home.

-> Stick to slopes that match your ability. Injuries often occur when skiers push onto runs that are too difficult, ski too fast on busy slopes, or try to keep up with more experienced friends.

-> Consider lessons, especially if you’re returning after a break. Better technique means less fatigue, more control, and safer falls.

-> Always wear a helmet. Helmets reduce the risk of head injury and don’t encourage reckless skiing.

-> Manage fatigue throughout the day. Heavy legs, slower reactions, worsening technique, and frequent falls are signs it’s time to stop. Take breaks, hydrate, eat well, and finish before exhaustion sets in.

-> Make sure your equipment fits properly. Boots should feel snug but not painful, bindings should be correctly set for your size and ability, and equipment should come from a reputable hire shop.

The Role of Pre-Ski Sports Physiotherapy

Pre-ski physiotherapy isn’t about generic exercises or “getting fitter.”

Before a ski trip, I assess previous injuries, strength and movement differences, balance, and endurance to identify what might increase your injury risk on the slopes. From there, we build a personalised plan to improve strength, build endurance, manage training load, and help you ski with more confidence - so you can enjoy the trip rather than worry about your body holding up.

Already Injured?

If you’ve returned from a ski trip with pain or an injury, early physiotherapy can make a real difference. Starting rehab sooner helps reduce pain, speed up recovery, and get you back to sport safely. Delaying treatment often leads to longer-lasting symptoms and a slower return to activity.

Book a Pre-Ski Physio Assessment in London

If you’re planning a ski trip and want to reduce your risk of knee injuries, shoulder injuries, or other common ski injuries, a pre-ski assessment can really help.

At Stride Sports Physiotherapy in Marylebone, I offer:

->Pre-ski injury screening
->Knee and ACL injury prevention
->Ski-specific strength and endurance training
->Expert rehabilitation if you’re already injured

If this sounds familiar - or you want to head into ski season feeling strong, confident, and ready to enjoy it - you’re very welcome to get in touch.