Falls, slides and collisions with snow gums on downhill sections are the main cause of accidents on ski tours. Good skiing technique and a speed that matches your ability and the conditions reduces the risk. A ski helmet protects against head injuries. More than two thirds of all accidents on ski tours happen when skiers fall while descending. Slides on ice, leading to collisions with trees or falls from cliffs is a very serious hazard.  Comparable to that of avalanches. For the snowpack a fall is an enormous “shock”: 5 to 7 times the body weight impacts on the snowpack and can trigger avalanches.