The days are getting longer and temperatures are rising. Because the sun is higher in the sky, UV rays are becoming stronger. Because of the altitude and the snow, we, as ski instructors, need to be extra mindful of this.
While we’re happy with all the snow that falls, working in the sun is still more pleasant than when it snows. Our guests are also more motivated and enjoy not only the skiing but also the warmth of the sun. Most winter sports enthusiasts come to the mountains for seven days of skiing. As a ski instructor, on the other hand, you’re there for four months. Due to our altitude and the snow we work in, UV radiation is 10 times stronger than in the Netherlands. Even when it’s cloudy, 50% of UV radiation penetrates to Earth. It’s important that we protect ourselves well from the sun’s harmful rays.
The dangers:
As a ski instructor, the vast majority of your body is covered by clothing. Only your face is exposed to the sun. Because your skin has gradually adapted to the increasing UV radiation, the risk of sunburn is small. However, this doesn’t eliminate the long-term risks. Skin exposed to UV radiation for extended periods will age more quickly. The more your skin is exposed to UV radiation, the greater the risk of skin cancer later in life.
Protection:
Because only your face is exposed to the sun, it’s easy to protect yourself from signs of aging and the risk of skin cancer. Apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before class and during breaks.
Children:
Adults can apply sunscreen themselves and sense when they’ve been in the sun too long. However, we need to keep a close eye on the children we teach. Their skin hasn’t had time to adjust to the increasing UV radiation, making them extra susceptible to sunburn. Ask parents in the morning if they’ve applied sunscreen and if they’ve put a tube of sunscreen in their child’s coat. Apply it again during lunch. Make sure you have an extra tube of sunscreen so you can also apply it to children who haven’t received it from their parents. Also, remember to protect your eyes. We published an article about this earlier this season .