manager of the Ski & Ride program at Okemo Mountain in Vermont, agrees that speed is a factor in the worst injuries. "Going fast is fun, but you need the skills to ski faster," he says.

Accidents are inherent to speed sports, and skiing is no exception. "The world sees skiers descending at 100 miles per hour (161 km/h)," he commented. "Our job is to ensure that we minimise and ...