Looks like you'll be setting off the airport metal detectors for the duration. Be sure to carry a copy of your x-rays for when you do. Good luck with your recovery.
Best of luck healing up. I boot-top fractured my tibia on Christmas 2014, although not as spectacularly as you got your leg. For what it's worth, I skied closing day and was cleared to ski a couple of weeks later; I suspect you'll need a bit longer given the impressiveness of the break, but despite the hardware, I've not had any issues getting back into it.
While you're on crutches, I have two suggestions:
1. If you're dealing with icy conditions at all, get flip down ice picks for the crutches.
2. If you want to be able to carry beverages, consider rigging a cupholder into the crutches.
Thanks! Appreciate the suggestions. I do have a little pouch on my crutches for phone and other small things, but the cupholder might be clutch. I've been having the 5-year-old deliver things for now, and he likes that gig.
But I'm glad to hear that you'll make a full recovery and you'll be back on the slopes with the rest of us in November. I'm wishing you the speediest recovery and and the best possible spring skiing in 2023 since you got robbed of it two seasons now, with Covid ending the 2019-2020 season in mid-March and your injury this season. Wishing you some corn filled, fast laps on KT-22 at Palisades Tahoe on a sunny blue March or April day in 2023 with some brand new skis!
Sorry to read this. If it helps I spiral fractured my leg playing hockey in a grad school beer leg. Ended my ski and slop hockey season in about 1 second. That being said after surgery, pt and more time than I would have liked I was back to normal. Skied and played hockey the next season and have skied for the last 19 years with 25 + typical.
I am very interested in touring the SoCal circuit, especially Baldy. The fact that skiing exists right there has always been amazing to me. I understand the elevation thing, but it’s so jarring and surreal to look up from the city and see the mountains looming.
So sorry to hear about your leg!! Classic skier injury— maybe you can consider it a sort of badge of accomplishment or belonging?? Ha! I loved your line about “the entire episode is exhibit A for the value of experienced leadership at ski resorts, of valuing these people more than the $5 million lifts that cart your skiers up the mountain.” As someone who works in the industry but is still relatively new, I can attest first-hand to how accurate this is. The people are incredible and work so hard (for pretty low pay) to create access and opportunities for people to experience this amazing sport, and to enjoy it (and feel safe)! We have lots of work to do to get even more people out there, for sure, and I hope we can broaden our reach to engage even more folks in this wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in the winter. It’s the best!!
Stuart, omg…broken leg, busted future vacations and yet you continue writing about ski areas before the break. You are amazing. I will be thinking of you as I head out to Montana, Idaho and Canada. I just had to replace my alpine bindings to get them to work with new backcountry at boots. Perhaps a good idea to refresh binding’s occasionally.
So sorry to hear about your leg. Just here to say I broke my a femur in the the first summer of covid and was skiing 4 months later. Mine was also butterfly and I now have similar hardware. Wish you the best recovery, and enjoy the extra writing time
God knows the ski patrol everywhere deserve huge amounts of credit and far better pay than they get. And friends in ski towns are invaluable! And I forgot to mention that rehab is crucial!! I had some great people in NYC who were so important to my full recovery!!
I'm so sorry about your leg, and the end of your season!
My son wiped out at Berkshire East last weekend, going about 45 mph. He has compression fractures in two of his vertebrae, but was lucky, especially because he slid into a snow gun after he fell. The Ski Patrol team at Berkshire East was amazing with him. Best wishes for good healing.
Thankfully, he doesn't need surgery. I'm sad my ski buddy is out for the season. We keep telling each other, we'll ski next year. Thank goodness for modern medicine, right?!
Nice write-up! A shame it had to happen, especially with all those other trips you were planning, but thank goodness you'll be back next year.
LOL, not quite as bad, but the same thing happened to me at Ski Ward when I visited for the first time a year ago! First ride and I put the bar up at the last tower. Four seconds later I hear a loud raspy voice to my left 'use that safety bar!' I turned to see that I had come in sight of the ski patrol shack and the guy sitting in a chair in front was not happy with me. After that I made sure to wait until after the sign. I didn't see it happen to many or any other people, but it was a Monday so maybe it was mostly locals who knew the drill by then. It wasn't enough to ruin the ski day, but if they had humiliated me like they did to you it definitely would have.
Thank you. I will just have to plan an extra-good trip for next year to make up for it.
The Ski Ward dude did ruin my day. That’s on me for letting it get to me, but it’s probably the only ski area i’ve ever been to that I wouldn’t go back to.
Hi Stuart, we've never met but I publish TSIL and know some of the same folks you know, but I've been around a lot longer. I appreciate the job you're doing and know I started somewhat in the same fashion - but before the internet, blogs, podcasts, etc. I didn't grow up in a skiing family but became addicted at age 15 on my first trip to Cranmore. The skimobile was a thing then and Bogner stretch pants and Austrian instructors. I took up snowboarding at age 50 after moving to the Mad River Valley for a job with Ski Racing. The only bad accident's I've had were both skiing. I was out in Vail when my daughter was in college - it was April. And decided for my "last run" to take Giant Steps to the village. The snow was mushy and muddy so I stuck to the edges, and like you, not sure what happened, but I'm pretty sure my ski pre-released and I hit a tree. Some very nice fellow skiers stopped and picked up the remnants of my yard sale and convinced me that it was not a good idea to try to get up and walk to the bottom. Since patrol was dispatched from the top it took seemingly forever for them to arrive, but they did and got me to the VVMC - which was very small in those days, pre-Steadman - where they operated on my "conminuted fracture of the tibial plateau." Also fibula but that didn't really count. Prognosis: you probably won't limp and you "may" be able to ski again." Long recovery - much longer than these days I imagine. Would love to connect one of these days. AK will vouch for me. Hope your recovery is smooth. Back from CA at the end of the week. Let's connect!
Thanks Mary. Doc was optimistic for 100 percent recovery and fall return to skiing, so I’m sticking with that. Would love to connect. Email me at skiing@substack.com
Hopefully in a year your fracture will only amount to an unpleasant memory!
Someone who loves skiing as much as you might be interested in learning more about bindings, how they function and the boot binding interface. Also the basics of ski tuning you can do in your apartment- deburring the edges and rubbing an all temperature wax into the base and corking. Easy peasy, no mess.
I apartment tuned when like you I lived in a Brooklyn apartment. An important side benefit of the 15 minutes it takes to deburr and wax is that it forces you to look at your skis/bindings making it much more likely that you’ll spot a problem early. If you throw your ski shop tech a six pack - or a single malt - he might show you how to test binding elasticity and release force in the comfort of your apartment. While liability might influence him not to teach you, many worries succumb to a single malt.
PS I hear bone healing is greatly facilitated by guac, chips and Laphroiag.
Looks like you'll be setting off the airport metal detectors for the duration. Be sure to carry a copy of your x-rays for when you do. Good luck with your recovery.
Best of luck healing up. I boot-top fractured my tibia on Christmas 2014, although not as spectacularly as you got your leg. For what it's worth, I skied closing day and was cleared to ski a couple of weeks later; I suspect you'll need a bit longer given the impressiveness of the break, but despite the hardware, I've not had any issues getting back into it.
While you're on crutches, I have two suggestions:
1. If you're dealing with icy conditions at all, get flip down ice picks for the crutches.
2. If you want to be able to carry beverages, consider rigging a cupholder into the crutches.
Thanks! Appreciate the suggestions. I do have a little pouch on my crutches for phone and other small things, but the cupholder might be clutch. I've been having the 5-year-old deliver things for now, and he likes that gig.
Yee gads, that X ray is cringeworthy. Heal up, get better, keep on doing what you're doing.
So sorry to hear this happened to you Stuart :(
But I'm glad to hear that you'll make a full recovery and you'll be back on the slopes with the rest of us in November. I'm wishing you the speediest recovery and and the best possible spring skiing in 2023 since you got robbed of it two seasons now, with Covid ending the 2019-2020 season in mid-March and your injury this season. Wishing you some corn filled, fast laps on KT-22 at Palisades Tahoe on a sunny blue March or April day in 2023 with some brand new skis!
Thank you brother. I appreciate that, and you are reading my mind with visions of March 2023!
Sorry to read this. If it helps I spiral fractured my leg playing hockey in a grad school beer leg. Ended my ski and slop hockey season in about 1 second. That being said after surgery, pt and more time than I would have liked I was back to normal. Skied and played hockey the next season and have skied for the last 19 years with 25 + typical.
That helps a lot, to be honest. I’m loving all these recovery stories coming my way, as I am feeling a long way back to normal at the moment.
Stuart get well soon! We'll hold a place in line for you next season. :)
Know you don't cover the backcountry beat, but we do have a few interesting SoCal resorts for you to check out. Would be happy to give you the tour.
I am very interested in touring the SoCal circuit, especially Baldy. The fact that skiing exists right there has always been amazing to me. I understand the elevation thing, but it’s so jarring and surreal to look up from the city and see the mountains looming.
I appreciate that, thank you!
Brutal! Get well soon buddy! Love this blog!
Thanks so much. Really appreciate your encouragement and support!
So sorry to hear about your leg!! Classic skier injury— maybe you can consider it a sort of badge of accomplishment or belonging?? Ha! I loved your line about “the entire episode is exhibit A for the value of experienced leadership at ski resorts, of valuing these people more than the $5 million lifts that cart your skiers up the mountain.” As someone who works in the industry but is still relatively new, I can attest first-hand to how accurate this is. The people are incredible and work so hard (for pretty low pay) to create access and opportunities for people to experience this amazing sport, and to enjoy it (and feel safe)! We have lots of work to do to get even more people out there, for sure, and I hope we can broaden our reach to engage even more folks in this wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in the winter. It’s the best!!
Thanks so much. It’s true that I feel a little different after my first sled ride. Patrol was incredible. Where are you working?
Formerly at the National Ski Patrol (Executive Director), currently at the US Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) as Managing Director.
Awesome! Your people do amazing work!
Stuart, omg…broken leg, busted future vacations and yet you continue writing about ski areas before the break. You are amazing. I will be thinking of you as I head out to Montana, Idaho and Canada. I just had to replace my alpine bindings to get them to work with new backcountry at boots. Perhaps a good idea to refresh binding’s occasionally.
Consider it a lesson learned. Enjoy your trips!
So sorry to hear about your leg. Just here to say I broke my a femur in the the first summer of covid and was skiing 4 months later. Mine was also butterfly and I now have similar hardware. Wish you the best recovery, and enjoy the extra writing time
Thanks. It’s amazing how much I am getting done just sitting on the couch all day long!
God knows the ski patrol everywhere deserve huge amounts of credit and far better pay than they get. And friends in ski towns are invaluable! And I forgot to mention that rehab is crucial!! I had some great people in NYC who were so important to my full recovery!!
I'm so sorry about your leg, and the end of your season!
My son wiped out at Berkshire East last weekend, going about 45 mph. He has compression fractures in two of his vertebrae, but was lucky, especially because he slid into a snow gun after he fell. The Ski Patrol team at Berkshire East was amazing with him. Best wishes for good healing.
Thank you. I'm sorry to hear about your son. Does he need surgery? Hopefully he's better soon.
Thankfully, he doesn't need surgery. I'm sad my ski buddy is out for the season. We keep telling each other, we'll ski next year. Thank goodness for modern medicine, right?!
Yup. It's the best. I love skiing wit my kids too. That's probably the biggest reason I'm bummed for the season to be over.
Nice write-up! A shame it had to happen, especially with all those other trips you were planning, but thank goodness you'll be back next year.
LOL, not quite as bad, but the same thing happened to me at Ski Ward when I visited for the first time a year ago! First ride and I put the bar up at the last tower. Four seconds later I hear a loud raspy voice to my left 'use that safety bar!' I turned to see that I had come in sight of the ski patrol shack and the guy sitting in a chair in front was not happy with me. After that I made sure to wait until after the sign. I didn't see it happen to many or any other people, but it was a Monday so maybe it was mostly locals who knew the drill by then. It wasn't enough to ruin the ski day, but if they had humiliated me like they did to you it definitely would have.
Thank you. I will just have to plan an extra-good trip for next year to make up for it.
The Ski Ward dude did ruin my day. That’s on me for letting it get to me, but it’s probably the only ski area i’ve ever been to that I wouldn’t go back to.
It was great skiing with you up at BMOM. Hope to see you next year. Speedy recovery.
Thank you! Was a pleasure skiing with you as well. I’ll be back!
Hi Stuart, we've never met but I publish TSIL and know some of the same folks you know, but I've been around a lot longer. I appreciate the job you're doing and know I started somewhat in the same fashion - but before the internet, blogs, podcasts, etc. I didn't grow up in a skiing family but became addicted at age 15 on my first trip to Cranmore. The skimobile was a thing then and Bogner stretch pants and Austrian instructors. I took up snowboarding at age 50 after moving to the Mad River Valley for a job with Ski Racing. The only bad accident's I've had were both skiing. I was out in Vail when my daughter was in college - it was April. And decided for my "last run" to take Giant Steps to the village. The snow was mushy and muddy so I stuck to the edges, and like you, not sure what happened, but I'm pretty sure my ski pre-released and I hit a tree. Some very nice fellow skiers stopped and picked up the remnants of my yard sale and convinced me that it was not a good idea to try to get up and walk to the bottom. Since patrol was dispatched from the top it took seemingly forever for them to arrive, but they did and got me to the VVMC - which was very small in those days, pre-Steadman - where they operated on my "conminuted fracture of the tibial plateau." Also fibula but that didn't really count. Prognosis: you probably won't limp and you "may" be able to ski again." Long recovery - much longer than these days I imagine. Would love to connect one of these days. AK will vouch for me. Hope your recovery is smooth. Back from CA at the end of the week. Let's connect!
Thanks Mary. Doc was optimistic for 100 percent recovery and fall return to skiing, so I’m sticking with that. Would love to connect. Email me at skiing@substack.com
Stuart,
Hopefully in a year your fracture will only amount to an unpleasant memory!
Someone who loves skiing as much as you might be interested in learning more about bindings, how they function and the boot binding interface. Also the basics of ski tuning you can do in your apartment- deburring the edges and rubbing an all temperature wax into the base and corking. Easy peasy, no mess.
I apartment tuned when like you I lived in a Brooklyn apartment. An important side benefit of the 15 minutes it takes to deburr and wax is that it forces you to look at your skis/bindings making it much more likely that you’ll spot a problem early. If you throw your ski shop tech a six pack - or a single malt - he might show you how to test binding elasticity and release force in the comfort of your apartment. While liability might influence him not to teach you, many worries succumb to a single malt.
PS I hear bone healing is greatly facilitated by guac, chips and Laphroiag.
Believe me I am going in with a whole new attitude on gear maintenance. I under no circumstances want to repeat that experience.