Why Ski Injuries Are Most Likely at the End of the Day
At Wimbledon Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, we notice the same pattern every winter. As families return to Wimbledon and South West London from ski holidays, many come to see us with knee, shoulder, wrist or ankle injuries that didn’t happen on the first day or even during the most challenging run.
Instead, we often hear:
“It was right at the end of the day.”
This isn’t coincidence, and it isn’t bad luck. Ski injuries are genuinely more likely to happen later in the day, and understanding why can help you make safer decisions on the slopes and protect the rest of your holiday.
Skiing Is More Demanding Than It Feels
Skiing looks smooth and effortless when it’s going well, but underneath that flow is constant work from your body and brain.
Every run requires:
- Balance on uneven, changing surfaces
- Rapid reactions to ice, other skiers and terrain
- Strong coordination between hips, knees and ankles
- Continuous muscle activity to control speed and direction
Early in the day, these systems work automatically. As the hours pass, fatigue quietly builds and performance begins to change.
How Fatigue Affects Your Body on the Slopes
Fatigue doesn’t arrive all at once. It creeps in gradually, and many skiers don’t notice it until control starts to drop.
As muscles tire:
- They absorb less shock
- Joint stability reduces
- Small slips are harder to recover from
- Movements become less precise
Your muscles play a key role in protecting your joints. When they’re fresh, they help stabilise the knees, hips and ankles. When they’re tired, more force is transferred directly into ligaments and joint surfaces.
This is one of the main reasons we see:
- Knee ligament injuries
- Shoulder and wrist injuries from falls
- More slips on icy afternoon snow
Mental Fatigue Matters Too
Fatigue isn’t just physical.
After hours of skiing, mental fatigue sets in as well. Concentration drops, reaction times slow, and decision-making changes often without you realising.
It’s a normal response to prolonged physical and cognitive demand.
Unfortunately, skiing requires clear, fast decisions and fatigue makes that harder.
The “Just One More Run” Trap
There’s also a powerful psychological pull late in the day.
You’ve paid for the lift pass. You’ve travelled a long way. The lifts are still running. Everyone else is going.
Stopping early can feel like giving up but from an injury-prevention perspective, it’s often the smartest decision you can make.
An injury late in the day doesn’t just affect that afternoon. It can:
- End the rest of your ski week
- Affect work, sport and training at home
- Lead to weeks or months of rehabilitation
Stopping while you’re still skiing well protects your ability to ski tomorrow, not just today.
Recognising When It’s Time to Stop
One of the most important skills in skiing isn’t technical- it’s self-awareness.
Signs that fatigue is affecting control include:
- Heavy or burning legs
- Reduced edge control
- Catching edges more often
- Having to consciously think about technique
- Small mistakes on runs that felt easy earlier
- Feeling impatient, rushed or frustrated
A useful rule of thumb we often share with patients:
When you first think “maybe I should stop”, that’s usually the right time to stop.
That thought is your nervous system recognising reduced capacity before a bigger mistake happens.
Why This Matters Even More for Families
Children fatigue faster than adults, and once-a-year skiers don’t have deeply ingrained movement patterns. When fatigue disrupts coordination, injury risk rises quickly.
For families, normalising rest and early finishes:
- Reduces injuries
- Improves confidence
- Makes the holiday more enjoyable
- Keeps everyone skiing for more days
The goal isn’t to ski until the lifts close- it’s to ski well, safely and consistently.
A Physiotherapist’s Perspective
Many of the ski injuries we see could have been avoided by:
- Shorter days
- Better awareness of fatigue
- Stopping before control dropped
- Not pushing through tiredness
Skiing with good technique for fewer hours is far safer than skiing tired simply to “get one more run in”.
Want Practical Guidance?
Please download the guidance on The ‘Last Run’ Phenomenon to help you recognise fatigue early and make safer decisions on the slopes. It’s designed to support families and holiday skiers without being technical or overwhelming. Click here to download the guide.
Ski Smart, Ski Safe
Skiing is meant to be enjoyable not something you recover from for months afterwards.
Understanding fatigue, respecting your limits and giving yourself permission to stop early are some of the most effective ways to reduce injury risk and protect your body long-term.
If you return from skiing with pain, swelling or instability, early advice can prevent longer-term problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do so many ski injuries happen late in the day?
Fatigue reduces muscle control, joint stability and reaction times. As the body and brain tire, small mistakes are harder to recover from, increasing injury risk.
Are experienced skiers less likely to get injured when tired?
Not necessarily. Experienced skiers often maintain confidence even as fatigue affects control, which can actually increase risk late in the day.
Is it better to ski shorter days?
For most recreational skiers, shorter, higher-quality ski days are safer and allow better recovery meaning more skiing across the week.
Should children stop skiing earlier than adults?
Often yes. Children fatigue faster and coordination drops more quickly, especially in challenging afternoon conditions.
What should I do if I’m injured skiing late in the day?
Stop skiing, protect the area, and monitor symptoms once you’re warm. If pain, swelling or instability persist, early professional advice is recommended.