These real-life skiing accidents remind us: Skiing is not a game—safety knowledge is the baseline for every trip.

1. Sonny Bono Tree Collision (1998)

What happened: Sonny Bono, a famous American singer and congressman, was skiing at the Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe when he lost control due to excessive speed and crashed into a tree, 

dying on the spot. The autopsy revealed he was not wearing a helmet and suffered severe skull fractures.

Official report: The U.S. National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) categorized this as a "classic high-risk behavior case."

Lesson:

A helmet is the baseline for survival—regardless of your skill level.

Control your speed, especially near tree-lined runs.

2. Avalanche in the Austrian Alps (2020)

What happened: Five experienced backcountry skiers in the Tirol region ignored avalanche warnings (risk level 4/5 that day) and entered a closed area, triggering an avalanche that killed three. 

Some carried beacons but failed to use them correctly.

Official report: The Avalanche Austria research center included this in their annual safety bulletin.

Lesson:

Always ski off-piste in groups of three or more. Carry and know how to use a beacon, probe, and shovel.

Check daily avalanche forecasts (e.g., from EAWS in Europe).

3. Lift Accident at Shiga Kogen, Japan (2021)

What happened: A tourist at the Shiga Kogen ski resort failed to understand the Japanese-language announcement when disembarking from the lift. 

He did not leave his seat in time, was dragged by the lift pole, and fell, suffering a spinal fracture.

Official record: The Nagano Tourism Board included this in the "Foreign Skier Safety Guidelines."

Lesson:

Learn how to use ski lifts in advance (see FIS video tutorials).

Before getting off the lift, organize your skis/poles and exit the unloading zone quickly.

4. Collision at Whistler, Canada (2019)

What happened: A snowboarder suddenly cut across a green (beginner) slope at Whistler, colliding with a skier behind him at high speed. 

The skier suffered a spinal cord injury and was left permanently paralyzed.

Legal case: British Columbia Supreme Court, Case No. BCSC 2019-1253.

Lesson:

The skier in front has the right of way—those behind must yield.

Never change direction suddenly—always check behind before turning.

5. Binding Malfunction at Silk Road Ski Resort, Xinjiang, China (2023)

What happened: An intermediate skier rented skis with bindings mistakenly set to a DIN value of 8—far too high for their weight and skill level. 

During a fall, the skis did not release, resulting in a torn ACL.

Industry report: Listed in the "China Ski Resort Safety Management White Paper" as a “typical equipment accident.”

Lesson:

Always check the binding’s DIN setting when renting (beginners are usually set between 3–5).

Learn how to fall safely: fall sideways and avoid using hands to break the fall.

Skiing isn’t about showing off—it’s about staying safe. Wear a helmet, control your speed, and avoid unnecessary risks.

That’s what makes you a true expert on the slopes.