On-mountain ski clinics provide urgent care without leaving the slopes

Park City, Utah, offers world-class skiing and snowboarding, but with winter sports comes the risk of injury. Fortunately, a network of on-mountain clinics is changing how skiers and snowboarders access immediate medical care, potentially minimizing disruption to their vacations.

Rapid Response on the Slopes

Thousands of skiers and snowboarders are treated annually at Intermountain Health’s seven on-mountain ski clinics in Utah. These clinics function as urgent care facilities, serving both those injured on the slopes and local residents. Amanda Gamache, resort medicine practice supervisor, confirms the clinics’ dual role in providing accessible healthcare.

Comprehensive On-Site Care

The clinics are equipped to handle a range of injuries. Dr. Emily Miro, a family and sports medicine physician, explains they can provide X-rays, splint injuries, and repair lacerations. This on-site capability is designed to allow patients to quickly return to their activities with minimal interruption.

Did You Know? Intermountain Health partners with Deer Valley, Vail Resorts (Park City Mountain Village & Canyons Resort), Snowbasin, Wasatch Peaks Ranch, Woodward and Powder Mountain to provide these on-mountain clinics.

A key component of this system is close collaboration between clinic providers and ski patrol. “Some of that triage happens before the patient even comes in,” Dr. Miro stated, noting that ski patrol communicates with the clinic via radio to prepare for incoming patients.

A Patient’s Experience

Doug Long experienced this coordinated care firsthand. After a fall while snowboarding in Park City, he suffered a fractured wrist. Ski patrol transported him to the Canyons Village Medical Clinic, where he received treatment and avoided surgery. “Right smack on the slope side, having this top-notch, top-tier care was remarkable,” Long said.

Expert Insight: The integration of medical facilities directly into ski resorts represents a significant shift toward proactive healthcare for recreational athletes, prioritizing both immediate treatment and minimizing disruption to the overall experience.

What Might Happen Next

If the current model proves successful, other ski resort areas could adopt similar on-mountain clinic systems. This could lead to reduced emergency room congestion and faster treatment times for winter sports injuries. However, maintaining adequate staffing and resources at these remote clinics could present ongoing challenges. It is also possible that the scope of services offered at these clinics could expand in the future, potentially including physical therapy or concussion management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of injuries are treated at these clinics?

The clinics can treat injuries requiring X-rays, splints, and laceration repair, according to Dr. Emily Miro.

Who can use these clinics?

The clinics treat both skiers and snowboarders injured on the mountain, as well as people from the local towns, according to Amanda Gamache.

What are the hours of operation?

The clinics are open daily during the winter season from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How might the availability of on-mountain medical care influence your decision to participate in winter sports?