A prospective study of 2273 British recreational skiers found an injury rate of 0.8 per cent. Weather, snow conditions, age, alcohol, time of day, stage of holiday and difficulty of run did not seem important factors in injury. British skiers had similar rates of injury to other nationalities. The most important preventable factor was overtightening of bindings. A case can be made for holiday insurance to cover medical treatment on return to the UK.