However, it is important to take all necessary health and safety precautions to ensure that the trip is safe and enjoyable for everyone involved. 

Key considerations for school trips involving snowboarding, skiing, and other adventurous winter sports 

Choose a reputable provider 

When booking a school trip, it is important to choose a reputable provider that has a good track record of safety. The provider should have qualified instructors and staff, and they should have a comprehensive risk assessment in place. 

Ensure pupils are fit and healthy 

It is important to make sure that all pupils are fit and healthy enough to participate in the activities that are planned for the trip. This includes checking that they have the necessary level of fitness and that they are free from any medical conditions that could put them at risk. 

Provide pupils with the appropriate clothing and equipment 

Pupils should be provided with the appropriate clothing and equipment for the activities that they will be participating in. This includes things like warm clothing, goggles, helmets, and skis or snowboards. 

Provide pupils with safety training 

Before pupils start participating in any activities, they should be provided with safety training. This training should cover things like how to use the equipment safely, how to fall safely, and how to avoid hazards. 

Supervise pupils closely 

It is important to always supervise pupils closely during the trip. This includes being on the slopes with them when they are snowboarding or skiing, and being present at all other activities that they are participating in. 

Have a plan in place for emergencies 

It is important to have a plan in place for emergencies, such as accidents or injuries. This plan should include things like how to contact emergency services and how to get pupils to medical help. 

Specific health and safety considerations for snowboarding and skiing 

The risk of falls and collisions 

Snowboarding and skiing are both high-risk sports, and there is a significant risk of falls and collisions. It is important to make sure that pupils are aware of this risk and that they are taking steps to minimise it. 

The risk of hypothermia and frostbite 

Snowboarding and skiing take place in cold weather conditions, and there is a risk of hypothermia and frostbite. It is important to make sure that pupils are dressed appropriately and that they are aware of the signs and symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite. 

The risk of altitude sickness 

Some snowboarding and skiing resorts are located at high altitudes. It is important to be aware of the risks of altitude sickness and to take steps to prevent it, such as acclimatising to the altitude gradually and drinking plenty of fluids. 

Other adventurous winter sports 

Other adventurous winter sports, such as snowmobiling, ice climbing, and snowshoeing, also have their own specific health and safety considerations. It is important to do your research and to take all necessary precautions to ensure that pupils are safe when participating in these activities. 

Additional tips for ensuring the health and safety of pupils on school trips involving snowboarding, skiing, and other adventurous winter sports include: 

• Communicate with parents 
• Have a backup plan 
• Be flexible 

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your pupils have a safe and enjoyable time on their school trip to the snow. 

The iProtectU health and safety software provides: 

• An inspection and Audit App which allows for safety inspection of the workplace and associated report 
• eLearning on a wide range of EHS topics 
• Scheduling functionality for managers to send eLearning, risk assessments and documents out to all staff via the software with tracks completion and compliance 
• Risk assessment templates covering a wide range of school trips and activities 
• Management system to document control the policy on safety on school trips 

• Method Statement module for the creation of various working instructions 
• Legal register that provides legislation guidance on safety on school trips 
• Incident investigation module that tracks incidents involving adventurous winter sports activities, both with an app and via desktop 
• Hazard observation app where staff can report and record any concerns regarding school trips to the organisation 
• Asset management App ensuring assets are recorded in the software