Posted By Chris121 Im guessing the use of head protection is already mandatory?

Posted By Graham Bullough Occasionally I’ve seen competitive snowboarding events broadcast from European ski resorts via satellite TV. The events seem to involve different sorts of features. One common feature (not sure of the correct name for it) comprises a long gradually descending near U shaped snow valley. Each competitor goes down it zig-zagging from side to side and with increasing speed and height up the sides so as to be able to do somersaults and/or double if not triple whatsits as they become airborne at the end of each zig and zag. To a fiftysomething like me content with Nordic ski-ing over wild terrain (i.e. real ski-ing which originated years ago!) the competitive snowboarding looks both kamikaze in nature and also highly skilful. It also makes me wonder how and where those involved learn and practice, and with what sort of injury rate and perhaps even a mortality rate. From recollection, competitors wear helmets but surely these are likely to afford little or no protection against a broken neck for those who fall awkwardly head first at high speed with their body weight on top. Perhaps such falls are rare if the training includes preventing or minimising them, possibly like a cat does when it falls and instinctively turns to land feet first. There are presumably one or more bodies which represent/govern competitive snowboarding and may be able to advise about relevant training and precautions. Also you mention that other indoor complexes have banned the trick or manoeuvre involved. How about contacting them to get some idea as the reason/s for their bans? Their bans might simply stem from a reaction that it just looks too dangerous or perhaps they’ve already done some homework and decided that they can’t provide the necessary space and/or accept the risk in relation to the activity’s known accident record. Apologies if I’ve wholly misunderstood your posting and barked up the wrong tree. If not, I hope these comments help and perhaps that any snowboarders reading this thread can give better responses.

Posted By Paul Slater Hi Guys, Thanks for all your comments, all very much appreciated. In terms of first aid, we have very good facilities all of which have been highlighted in a response above. We also have 2 fully qualified nurses who are based within the Ski slope at all times. Crash helmets are also mandatory and the area is supervised at all times. I will try contacting the British Snowboard Association Rich and see if they can provide me with any more information. Thanks again

Posted By RIL Graham - Pipes, as they are normally referred to are constructed using a piste basher and are generally just super hard packed snow, read: ice with a thin covering of snow, shaped to the form you see. A lot of the larger US, Canadian and European resorts have them in situ and they normally form part of a 'fun park' - an area with kickers (ramps) and rails of various sizes...great fun!!

Posted By Peter MacDonald Hi As a new snowboarder on level one (with failed "falling leaf" bruises to proove it) I can think of one thing that you could add to your procedures. As a newbie to the sport I'm restricted as to when and what I can do on the slope and can only move on to other things as my grade/level increases which is recorded on my "passport". I think adding to your procedures that a boarder must be on a certain grade before attempting an inverted jump would help proove to any investigating body that you were controlling use of the jump based on competence. (This coming from someone who dispairs at the CSCS scheme too, it's like totally bogus) Any hows, later dudes Pete

Posted By Donna Paul, Have you been in touch with other indoor snow slopes (Xscapes, Chillfactore, Hemel Hempstead) to see why they ban the jumps? if they do that is. Maybe they can give you an insight into the discussion for and against banning them. Having seen the airbag you mentioned (and yes been far too chicken to try it) I can see why you would allow the jumps on there however most snowboarders who will want to do the 360's will be pretty experienced and know what they are doing. As far as i am aware you are not allowed to use any "trick" equipment etc at indoor slopes without wearing a helmet although I have known this rule to be flauted on a number of occassions (having been an offender myself until i knocked myself out). I would envisage that the majority of people that will use the slope (location dependent) to be practicing these kind of tricks wil be student groups (been in that group too). Maybe its worth discussing with the actual users how they feel. After all if they are restricted a lot on the slopes they will either go elsewhere or not at all and wait until the outdoor season.