Are skiing and snowboarding safe during pregnancy?
Skiing and snowboarding are generally advised against during pregnancy, primarily because of the fall risk they carry. Both are recognised by health bodies including the NHS as activities with a high risk of abdominal trauma, which is the main reason they sit alongside other fall-risk sports like horse riding and contact sports on the “avoid” list, even for experienced skiers and snowboarders.
Why skiing and snowboarding carry particular risk
High fall risk regardless of skill. Even highly experienced skiers and snowboarders fall — icy patches, collisions with other skiers, and changing conditions can cause a fall no amount of skill fully eliminates. A fall onto the abdomen, or a collision, carries a real risk of placental injury.
Balance changes work against you. As pregnancy progresses, the growing bump shifts your centre of gravity and the hormone relaxin loosens joints and ligaments — both factors that make the quick balance corrections skiing and snowboarding demand harder to execute reliably, even if you were confident on the slopes before pregnancy.
Speed and collision risk. Both sports involve moving at speed on a shared slope with other skiers and riders, introducing collision risk that’s largely outside your own control.
Altitude. Many ski resorts sit at high altitude, where reduced oxygen availability can be an additional consideration, particularly for cardiovascular exertion — worth discussing with your midwife or GP if a high-altitude ski trip is already booked.
What to do instead
If you’re keen to stay active over a ski trip, low-risk alternatives on the same trip include gentle walking in the snow, and — if available — cross-country skiing at a very gentle, flat, low-speed pace is sometimes considered lower-risk than downhill skiing by some practitioners, though this should be discussed individually with your midwife given it still carries some fall risk. Swimming, walking, or pregnancy yoga back home remain safer, reliable options if you’re mainly looking to stay active during the winter months.
If You’ve Already Booked a Ski Trip
Many women safely enjoy a non-skiing ski holiday — the scenery, the après-ski atmosphere, spa facilities (checking pool/hot tub temperature guidance), and gentle walks — without getting on skis or a board. This is a common and sensible way to still enjoy a planned trip.
When to seek advice
If you have any fall or collision while skiing or snowboarding during pregnancy, contact your midwife or maternity unit promptly, even if you feel fine — abdominal impact is worth having checked as a precaution.