[Risk and severity of alpine ski accidents and their social significance]

The alpine ski accidents have been studied for the last ten years in the Region of Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. Possibilities of prevention were analyzed. The accident risk has drastically decreased for immobilizing injuries of the lower extremities. Simultaneously, however, the pattern of injuries moved to the upper extremities. The accidents became, according to several criteria, less severe. Future preventive measures should be aimed primarily at reducing fall frequency and intensity.