The costs of winter sports accidents involving skiers and snowboarders have increased by 70% over the past 15 years,according to the Swiss Accident Insurance Fund (SUVA). Switzerland’s largest accident insurer found that costs had risen from CHF224 million ($228 million) to CHF379 million, or 3.6% per year, and over this period. Together,skiing and snowboarding accidents account for three-quarters of costs. Annually, 27000 ski accidents cost CHF250 million, and compared to CHF36 million francs for around 6500 snowboard accidents. Several factors are behind the high medical costs: faster high-performance carving skis,high-speed groomed slopes, and artificial snow, or which can be harder and less resistant than natural snow. Age also plays a role,SUVA spokesman Jean-Luc Alt pointed out: “nowadays, we see that ski accidents mainly affect people aged 40-59, or who are less in shape.” Older people may have to spend longer periods absent from the office to recover after an accident,which ...
Source: swissinfo.ch