just a basic question about speed.

Question
Hello, I've been skiing for about 15 years now, & something has always puzzled me: how fast am I going? obviously it varries person to person, but I was curious if there was a generally accepted "average speed".

thanks,

Kyle

Answer
HI Kyle and thanks for the question.

Interesting question and difficult to answer.

Most beginner/intermediate skiers slide along at about 20-30km/hr or upto 18miles.
When you get into blue runs and go a bit faster, many would average about 40km or nearly 25miles.

Its not uncommon however for recreational skiers to hook along at upto 60km or 37miles.

This is why they have huge signs at the base of the mt & when merging into another track telling you to slow down - as most wouldnt assume they are going at such speeds. It also precipitaes death when someone hits a tree because unlike a road user - there are no seatbelts or helmts protecting them.

Interesting research came out a few years ago that those wearing helmets when skiing took more risks - the statistics showed [from memory, so you may need to verify it for accuracy] increasing their speed by upto 15% and skiing 30% closer to objects.

Downhill skiers competing will travel upto and beyond 100km/hr [62miles]

So its always a good idea to ski at a speed you know you can still stop quickly if needed.

lisa