As the demographic profile of snowboarders evolves, so will the patterns of their injuries. Estimates of the risk of snowboarding-related injuries, based on the number of injured patients presenting to local hospitals in relation to the number of lift tickets sold, range between 1.7 and 16 injuries per 1000 days of snowboarding. Unlike skiers, snowboarders stand perpendicular to the long axis of their boards, with both feet affixed by nonreleasable binders to a single board. They most often face rightward, using the left leg and hand to lead the ride downhill and placing the bulk of the body's weight on the right rear leg. As with surfers and skateboarders, arms and hands remain free and are used for balance.
Most recreational snowboarders wear soft boots, which allow for maximum comfort and manoeuvrability.
Hard boots provide greater ankle support and increased control and are worn primarily by racers. Hybrid boots, which combine a hard shell with a soft upper component, provide a balance between manoeuvrability and stability and are becoming increasingly popular. Since each boot style places the body under different stresses, it is important to enquire about the type of boot worn when injuries are being evaluated. Because of the fixed position of the lower limbs, snowboarders tend to use the outstretched arm to break a fall. Wrist injuries due to falls onto a hyperextended wrist account for almost half of all snowboarding-related injuries.