minimizing risk of injury

Question
Went skiing for the first time in 30 years (and 4 knee surgeries), and might be hooked. I am still at the Green run level, but imagine I could get back to an intermediate level fairly soon. Have been told the new gear is safer and easier on the legs. I would love to hear an expert opinion on the type of equipment that might minimize risk of further knee injury. Short skis, flexible, light. Tight boots, light, etc? Price is not an object, if the result gives me a reasonably better chance of remaining entact. Would also be interested in technique ideas that might accomplish the same. Thanks a ton. -kjeld

Answer
Welcome back to the sport, I always love to hear when people re-discover their love of skiing. I have good news and bad news about the risk of injury- unfortunately, more bad than good.

Your best source for information about knee injury and risk is Vermont Ski Safety. I am not sure how well links incorporate into allExperts responses, but the site is http://www.vermontskisafety.com They are the undisputed experts in ACL injury prevention. The VSS site will describe at-risk techniques and positions, as well as how to best avoid those scenarios.

Regarding equipment- while shorter skis might technically reduce the risk of an ACL strain (the ACL is a ligament in the knee, its tear is the most common knee injury associated with skiing), the advance of super-sidecut skis may make the risk just as great (see the Vermont Ski Safety site for more on that)- same with softer skis- where a lack of support in the tail may facilitate movements into high risk positions. Only a few boots address the risk of a knee injury, and they are not broadly distributed- Lange produced a boot that sensed ACL risk, with a protective device built into the cuff, but it did not gain much commercial success (it was very, very heavy), and may no longer be available.

Bindings, especially those designed with upward-releasing toes, have improved substantially in recent years, but again, manufacturers have to face the conflict between protection and performance, and as a result few bindings can really protect against knee injury. Same with boots- comfortably tight boots can reduce risk to the ankle, but have no real benefit to the knee.

Head makes a ski/snowblade hybrid with releasable bindings-these may offer reduced ACL risk due to their shorter tail. I'd definitely look into them- they're also a lot of fun.

I know that my answer seems gloomy, but the truth is that technique and awareness will be more important factors in protecting your knees than equipment choices alone. The Vermont Ski Safety site will help you consider all the factors. I hope this helps!

Ron