Protection on-piste vs. off-piste – what do you need?

Snowboarding is freedom, speed and adrenaline. But whether you’re gliding down well-groomed slopes or making your way through fresh powder between the trees: safety is always a priority. However, conditions on the slopes are very different from off-piste – and that requires different types of protection.

In this blog we explain what you need on the piste versus off-piste , so you always make the right choice for your next run.

🎿 Protection on the slopes: control & crowds

On the slopes you often have to deal with:

• Many other winter sports enthusiasts

• Higher speeds on hard snow

• Increased chance of collisions

This is mainly about impact protection in the event of falls or collisions.

Recommended protection on the slopes:

• Wrist guards : Especially for beginners, who often fall forward.

• Back protector : Protects your spine from hard impacts on snow or ice.

• Impact shorts : Against bruised hips and tailbone in case of falls on hard surfaces.

• Knee pads : Extra nice for tricks in the fun park or if you often land on your knees.

🟢 Tip : Choose protection with a good fit under your snowboarding gear. On the slopes, it's all about comfort and freedom of movement without your protection slipping.

🏔 Off-piste protection: nature & risks

Off-piste riding is fantastic, but comes with other risks:

• Tree stumps, rocks and hidden obstacles

• Unstable snow layers

• Reduced visibility or unexpected terrain changes

Here, protection is often focused on serious impact and rescue options .

Recommended protection off-piste:

• Back protector (with D3O or hard shell) : Against hard impacts on rocks or ice.

• Impact shorts with thicker padding : For unexpected falls in rough terrain.

• Air backpack with avalanche airbag (if in avalanche terrain) : Not traditional protection, but essential for survival.

• Avalanche transceiver, probe & shovel : Not really 'protection', but crucial for safety.

🟠 Please note : Off-piste snowboarding also requires mental protection: knowledge of avalanche risks and terrain assessment are at least as important as physical gear.

🔄 Comparison: On-piste vs. Off-piste protection

Conclusion: adapt your protection to your environment

Whether you’re blasting on the piste or floating through powder off-piste – every situation requires adapted protection. While on-piste you mainly have to think about falls and collisions, off-piste is all about preparing for the unknown.

🔹 Our advice : Invest in a good basic set of protection, and expand depending on where you ride. Better safe than sorry – always.

Do you have any questions about which protection suits your snowboarding style best? Feel free to contact us or check out our selection of snowboard back protectors and impact shorts .