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The Statistical Analysis Center for Ski Accidents (ASU) provides information on the number and types of accidents on the slopes. Methods and measures for accident prevention are derived from this collected data.

Project Description

For more than four decades, the Ski Accident Analysis Center (ASU Ski) of ARAG Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG has been compiling an annual analysis of accident and injury data in alpine skiing. These globally unique statistics are based on reports from DSV aktiv members and thus provide a solid foundation for tracking developments and trends over time. Despite a slight, long-term decline in membership numbers, the surveyed group is characterized by its remarkable stability. 

Objective

For years, the DSV aktiv community and the Foundation for Safety in Skiing (SIS) have helped ensure that ASU ski analyses are produced regularly and made available to the general public. This trusting collaboration ensures that both experts and the interested public always receive up-to-date and accurate information on accident trends. The results make it clear that injury prevention in alpine skiing must remain a top priority. While the figures provide valuable insights into accident patterns, the key to improvement lies in preventive measures that specifically prevent injuries or at least reduce their severity. 

Key Findings of the ASU Accident Analysis

During the 2024–2025 season, the number of injured skiers rose once again.
It is estimated that between 51,000 and 53,000 skiers required medical
treatment. This continues the upward trend following the COVID-19 seasons, which saw extremely low numbers of skiing accidents, and the figures are now back in line with the pre-COVID-19 season. This is despite a long-term decline of over 48 percent compared to the baseline 1979–80 season
. This is a reason to place even greater emphasis on prevention.

As a result of the rise in the number of accidents, the risk of requiring inpatient
treatment has also increased. During the 2024–2025 season, 2.03 out of every 1,000 skiers
required inpatient hospital treatment, up from 1.73 per 1,000 in the
previous season. Extrapolated, this corresponds to 8,400 to 8,600 inpatient treatments.
The proportion of skiers requiring inpatient treatment rose from 57 to 62.4 percent.

Knee injuries remain the most common type of injury. Although their
share of all injuries declined slightly, the injury risk rose to 3.32
per 1,000 skiers, reaching its highest level in ten years.
There have also been significant increases in injuries to the torso, hips, and thighs
, as well as to the forearms and hands. Injuries to the shoulders and upper arms
remain stable at a high level.

The risk of collision accidents resulting in injuries reached its highest level since
the baseline season of 1979–80 during the 2024–2025 season
, at 1.90 collisions per 1,000 skiers. The proportion of collision-related injuries among all skiing injuries
stands at 20.84 percent, slightly below the previous year’s figure.

ASU Accident Analyses from Previous Years:

ASU Accident Analysis 2023/2024

ASU Accident Analysis 2022/2023

ASU Accident Analysis 2021/2022

ASU Accident Analysis 2019/2020

ASU Accident Analysis 2018/2019

ASU Accident Analysis 2017/2018

ASU Accident Analysis 2016/2017

ASU Accident Analysis 2015/2016

ASU Accident Analysis 2014/2015

ASU Accident Analysis 2013/2014 

ASU Accident Analysis 2012/2013

ASU Accident Analysis 2011/2012

ASU Accident Analysis 2010/2011

ASU Accident Analysis 2009/2010

ASU Accident Analysis 2008/2009

ASU Accident Analysis 2007/2008

ASU Accident Analysis 2006/2007

ASU Accident Analysis 2005/2006

ASU Accident Analysis 2004/2005

ASU Accident Analysis 2003/2004