Report: Skiing Is Getting More Dangerous In California Due To Edibles, Social Media

Originally posted on Powder | By Matt Lorelli | Last updated 3/26/24

According to data from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, and published by the Los Angeles Times, ER visits from ski-related accidents increased by 50% from 2016 to 2022. The article suggests that THC edibles, social media, and helmet cameras are to blame.

KTLA5, a Los Angeles based news station, spoke with locals about the report in the video below. Tap to watch.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following expresses opinions held by the author.

After watching the video above, and reading the entirety of the Los Angeles Times article, I was left perplexed.

Ski-related ER visits did increase by 50% between 2016 and 2022, but the claim that the rise is directly connected to THC gummies, alcohol, helmet cameras, and social media are largely unsupported by data. Instead, the article leans on the anecdotal stories of ER doctors and local skiers.

The same can be said for the news clip by KTLA5. The anchors regurgitate the same stats posed by the Los Angeles Times, and then ask a few skiers in the parking lot of an undisclosed ski resort their thoughts on the matter.

Every skier in the video has a complaint or two about reckless skiers smoking pot and drinking Fireball shots on the chairlifts.

My gripe can be explained with one rhetorical question -- Has there ever been a generation of older skiers that hasn't complained about younger skiers?

It would be like asking a group of toddlers if they enjoy when their Mommy puts them in timeout. One can assume that the answers would be heavily skewed towards one side.

Their testimonies are valuable to understand their experience, but they're not immediately indicative of the alleged larger problem.

Let me put it this way. Would I be surprised if more people are getting into accidents on the slopes due to the increased availability of THC? No, not at all. Do I want data to support that claim before I accept it as fact? Yes.

The same can be said about phones and cameras leading to more accidents on the slopes. It makes sense that the never-ending desire to get the 'best clip' could lead to greater injuries, but where is the data to support that?

Until we have more evidence that proves skiing is actually getting more dangerous, and not just that hospitalizations increased in one state over a six year span, don't panic.

Have fun, and stay safe out there, friends.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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