Whether you’re on a short-term holiday or a working holiday visa, it’s vital to be prepared for the unexpected. Here I’ll sum up what happens if you’re injured while snowboarding in Canada. I’ll also outline what steps you can take to make things easy in case the shit does hit the fan!
What happens if you get injured while snowboarding in Canada? Having never broken a single bone before in my life, that’s a question I never thought I’d find myself asking. Day two on the mountain in Whistler ski resort and BOOM.
I also never dreamed I’d be writing my first ever blog post high on narcotic painkillers. But hey, 2020 is full of surprises!
The Build Up
It was a clear day; not too cold and the sun was shining. It was peak season Sunday, so I knew it was going to be busy and more difficult for a beginner snowboarder. Even asides that, my gut was telling me not to go up that day. It was also the day that mercury went into retrograde. For any of you who are into astrology, you’ll agree this is a time to avoid doing anything risky; when we should listen to our gut more than ever.
My instructor convinced me in the end. Having another lesson shortly after the first is important for ‘muscle memory’. Of course he was right. Despite how well I’d done by the end of my first lesson, when I got back on the board I was all over the place. I could hardly hold my position on a flat run, never mind tackle the slopes!
Any of you who’ve got on a snowboard will agree: it’s not exactly like you’re a duck taking to water. Just getting off the chair lift is enough – trying to scoot away fast enough with this massive board strapped to one foot. The first time I got walloped in the back by the chairlift. The second time I fell over about a metre in front of the landing point. Bit of a disaster for those in the chairs behind mine, trying to jump off and bypass this reprobate lying flat out in front of them.
Luckily there’s no shortage of footage which people have been kind enough to share online. It gives all us amateurs a sense of togetherness. This video sums us up nicely:
The Incident
Just when I was starting to get the hang of it again, feeling more balanced and confident, I had another slip. I made the common fatal error of putting my hands out to break my fall. The sound of the crack in my wrist is still vivid. I lay my hand down in the snow to numb the pain, watching it tremble in shock and swell to the size of a baby walrus. It didn’t take the ski patrol team long to arrive.
They wrapped me up and strapped me into a snow-stretcher-mobile and told me to keep my helmet and goggles on. It was a long way down. I tried my best to enjoy the views between the mounds of snow hurling into my face.
The Aftermath
So, what actually happens after you’re injured while snowboarding in Canada?
When you’re out on the slopes, you’re generally covered by your ski season pass when it comes to getting you off the mountain. This does NOT include backcountry skiing/snowboarding, so if you want to make sure you’re covered, don’t go out of bounds!
This applies for Whistler Blackcomb, BC, and any other mountain ski resort in Canada run by Vail Resorts. If you have an accident on the mountain, your epic pass (or spirit pass if, like me, you got through your employer) will have you semi-covered. This applies for reasonable care (such as temporary bandaging) and transport. Like guardian angels, they will pick you up, fix you up (somewhat) and drop you where you need to be. In my case: the hospital.
If you’re a work permit holder (including IEC visa), are employed and living in a particular province for some time, this makes you eligible for provincial health insurance.
I had applied for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) but my approval letter hadn’t come through, and my travel insurance didn’t cover snow sports.
Feeling anxious, I arrived at the hospital, taking note of the sign next to the reception desk which stated “cost for visit for non residents: $800”. My heart sank. This does not include x-ray costs, casting, or anything else you might need. I explained the situation to the receptionist, who was able to check my details and confirm that my insurance was in fact active. Finally, some luck!
A few X-rays later, they confirmed that I’d broken my wrist. Luckily the bone wasn’t completely misplaced, so I didn’t need surgery. And I didn’t have to pay a penny for anything apart from my cast ($49). Things don’t always go to plan, and when they don’t it’s important to be prepared! So…
Take Precautions
Helmet
Considering if you should buy a second hand helmet? A helmet is one thing you should always buy new, as they can be ruptured on the inside. We have no idea what those helmets have been through! You only get one head.
Wrist Guards
When it comes to snowboarding injuries, broken wrists are the most common. When you’re learning, you will likely wipe out every minute (actually, more!) and of course your first instinct is to put your hands out to break your fall. If I could go back in time, I would definitely have bought a pair of wrist guards.
Get lessons from a qualified instructor
Snowboarding isn’t easy. Mastering the art of it is much easier if an expert can guide you through the proper theory. Gurus breed gurus.
Learn about the most common mistakes
Your instructor should teach you some of these on your first lesson, but it’s good to be a step ahead! To learn about the 5 most common mistakes, check out this video from Snowboard Pro Camp:
Know your route
The last thing you want is to think you’re choosing a safe green route and end up on a black! There are a number of apps you can download to help with this, with many built-in features including live location tracking. So you will always know where you are on the map! EpicMix is Whistler Blackcomb’s official app.
Know your limits
If you’re snowboarding with friends, you might feel pressured to keep up. Remember that it’s not a competition and everyone is at a different skill level. If you’re a beginner, master the easy slopes before taking on the more advanced. You’ll also be using a lot of muscles you aren’t used to using, and it’s normal to feel sore and tired. Listen to your body when it’s time to stop. Which brings me to my next point…
Think twice about “one last ride”
Remember in Scary Movie when Stu says “I’ll be right back”? Well, “one last ride” is on par. It’s an omen! It often means one last ride for the rest of the season. By the time you’re saying “right, one more shot”, it means you’re getting tired. Injuries on the mountains are very common, and a lot of brutal injuries happen on this ‘last ride’.
Finally, before you even consider stepping foot on the mountain:
Get Insurance
Whether you’re a short-term holidaymaker or living in Canada, make sure you have the appropriate insurance to cover you for any accidents or injuries! I spent days researching a number of travel insurance providers, and in the end I went with True Traveller. They aren’t the cheapest, but I have peace of mind knowing I won’t need to worry about claiming if anything happens.
Get Provincial Health Insurance
If you’re doing a winter season in Canada, you don’t want to find out what happens if you’re injured while snowboarding and you don’t have insurance!
Whether you’re moving to Canada on a working holiday, IEC visa or work permit, it’s really important to apply for your provincial health insurance. Do this as early as possible, especially if you’re living somewhere like Whistler!
It only takes 10 minutes out of your life and could save you thousands of dollars.
Even if you have travel insurance that covers everything, it’s better to avoid all that paperwork and the lengthy claims process. Not to mention the likelihood that your insurer will fly you home if that’s their cheapest option.
Not sure if you’re eligible? You can check your eligibility and apply for BC Health Insurance here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: under the working holiday program section here, you’ll notice it says to be eligible you must be living in BC for 6 consecutive months. Even if you’ve only been in BC for a week, you’re still eligible. If you can provide a contract from your employer to prove you will be in BC for the required time, then you can apply! So, what are you waiting for?!
One of my colleagues didn’t apply and was also injured snowboarding shortly after me. His first bill was $1400, and he hasn’t even had the surgery on his shoulder yet. I overheard him telling another one of our workmates that she should apply for the medical cover. Her response was “Yeah, but I’m not planning to go to the hospital”.
To all you nutters out there who’ll listen…
Take it from me: NO ONE PLANS ON GOING TO HOSPITAL.
Remember, like with everything in life, it’s always important to keep smiling when you fall.
Thanks for reading! Have you had a similar incident you’d like to share?
