Is it possible to go skiing with a Pacemaker or an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)? Well, my answer is yes in my circumstance. However, every case is different and unique, just like you. So I suggest you check with your doctor, cardiologist, or cardiac physiologist first.
When I was doing my research before I went back skiing 7 years ago in Cortina, Italy and Saint Gervais, I struggled to find a definitive answer. Apart from ‘I can’t advise you not to go, but be careful and take the right precautions to stay safe when skiing’.
This led me to go online and read a lot of different forums about skiing with a pacemaker and an ICD. I wanted to hear what other people’s experiences were and how they handled them. Given that the whole point of having a pacemaker/ICD is to be able to live as normal a life as possible. It would be a shame if you couldn’t do what you love, being active.
Ski pist Grand Tourmalet ski resort – French Pyrenees
Here is what I found through my personal research and what I have learnt about skiing with my pacemaker and ICD over the last 7 years. I must also point out that I am on blood thinners as well. This is another factor to be considered.
1. Consult your Doctor first
Many people return to their favourite sports activities after fully recovering from surgery. However, some activities need more precaution than others. Skiing/snowboarding are impact sports, so there is a risk of damaging your device. Another main factor for pacemaker/ICD patients is making sure your internal leads don’t move.
Best to consult your doctor first and get clearance before booking a skiing holiday. Check whether there are any other activities you should avoid on your winter trip, like the zipline. And what extra precautions should one take to keep safe? Another factor you should consider is whether you are on blood thinners.
Read some of the questions that I asked my doctor in Steps to Travelling with a Pacemaker/ICD
2. You can fall hard when skiing with a pacemaker
You can be an advanced or even a beginner skier, but even with all the right precautions, something can happen. Keep in mind that you can fall hard, causing serious impact or damage to your device. If you have an ICD, you could also trigger it if you fall awkwardly. You could even damage the ICD, and it won’t be able to deliver the required shock if needed.
None of us wants to fall on the slopes, but it does happen. I would suggest wearing padding over the pacemaker area, like a Ski Protective Vest or Sports Chest protector. I’ve fallen a few times skiing with my pacemaker, but I’ve got back up and been fine.
Skiing in Verbier, Switzerland, with my heart device.
3. Travel Insurance for skiing with a pacemaker.
I highly recommend Travel insurance for your pacemaker for skiing or snowboarding. You never know what can happen on and off the slopes. Even worse, you could get airlifted off the mountain due to an unforeseen accident. If you are unsure where to look for insurance companies specialising in pacemakers and ICD travel insurance, check with your medical clinic or the Heart Foundation website.
I use a free medical search engine called AllClear Travel Compare. Add your medical information and history, and then you will be given options for insurers, quotes and what they cover.
3.1 Make sure your Travel Insurance covers a pacemaker while Skiing
Make sure your travel insurance covers your medical condition, the country you’re visiting, and skiing with your pacemaker or ICD. Skiing and snowboarding are usually covered as an add-on to your policy under “winter sports”. I suggest printing a copy of your Travel Insurance summary page and keeping it with you. Maybe put it with your medical ID card.
I currently have annual travel insurance that covers skiing with my heart failure, pacemaker and defibrillator. I have skied in resorts like Verbier, Switzerland, and Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, France, without any problems.
4. Take a ski lesson before you go to build confidence
To build your confidence and help strengthen your stamina on the slopes, take a ski lesson before you go. It is also a good way to brush up on your skills while having fun. Two options are a dry slope (indoor or outdoor) or an indoor ski centre. As far as I am aware, both options are fine with a pacemaker/ICD.
4.1 Indoor Ski Centre
Indoor snow domes are becoming increasingly popular across the UK. One such place is The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, London’s closest indoor real-snow slope. It is a great day out for everyone, especially with all the additional facilities. Feel free to read about my experience learning to snowboard at The Snow Centre.
4.2 Indoor Dry Slope Skiing
If you want a more controlled environment, I suggest an indoor dry slope, like Skieasy. Located in Dukes Meadows, Chiswick, West London. It is a rotating snow mat with an adjustable incline and speed control, with the instructor taking the lesson remotely, controlling the snow mat. I did this with Chelski, and it was one of my favourite training options; however, they are now closed.
Training on the dry slope in London
5. Carry a backpack for essential items
Bring a daypack for skiing or snowboarding to carry essentials, including a Medical ID, sunglasses, snacks, a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated, and sunscreen for your face. Here are some suggestions on what I tend to bring in my backpack when skiing:
- Your official pacemaker or defibrillator (ICD) ID card. I keep mine in a small, cheap, clear pencil case.
- A copy of my travel insurance summary page. Folded up small
- A refillable water bottle to keep hydrated
- My medical magnet to stop the pacemaker or defibrillator (ICD). Not everyone has one of these.
- Nuts or Sweets in a reusable food storage bag.
- Small sunscreen and lip balm.
5.1 Test the backpack straps across your device before going skiing
Test your backpack before skiing and see how the straps feel across your chest on your device. I took one of my backpacks l used for skiing before my implant and thought nothing of it. Until I got out skiing and did the straps up, and it started rubbing on the area of my device.
It felt uncomfortable and irritated the device area, so I had to ski without the straps being done up. Here are some good suggestions for day backpacks for skiing and snowboarding, all reasonably priced.
Skiing on the piste Saint Nicolas, Saint-Gervais Ski Resort, life with a packmaker
6. Wear a Medical Alert Necklace or Wristband
In an emergency, wearing a Medical Alert necklace or bracelet can be a life-changer. Medical Alert ID bands or bracelets provide the ski patrol with crucial information about your device and or whether you are on blood thinners. It will help them quickly assess your medical situation and determine how to treat you. Medical Alert Necklaces or Wristbands are not compulsory, but are a great addition.
Most feature the international medical symbol, the caduceus, and open or turn to reveal securely concealed medical identification. I have several medical alert ID wristbands showing on the front that I have a heart device insertion and take blood thinners. On the back is my husband’s international contact number for emergencies. Here is a range of Medical Alert ID bracelets for skiing.
7. Have your Medical Alert ID somewhere easily spotted
Have your Medical alert ID somewhere that’s easy to spot when skiing or snowboarding with your pacemaker. Making it easier for the snow patrol to spot it and get you the correct medical help. Especially if you are on your own. I suggest wearing a necklace above your base layers but under your ski jacket. If you are wearing multiple layers of clothing, still just have it on top of your base layer. I wear my medical alert ID on my wrist just under my ski jacket.
One of my medical alert IDs before the blood thinners
8. Ski with someone and let them know your situation
Skiing and snowboarding are much more fun with a companion or a group of friends. Before you hit the slopes, make sure your skiing partner (or ski instructor) is aware of your condition and that you have told them where your ID card is. If you are wearing a Medical Alert ID, point it out as well.
Having a skiing companion who knows your heart condition can automatically put you at ease. It is also important in case you require medical assistance in an emergency. Or if your ICD kicks you, it would be nice knowing someone could inform the Ski Patrol. A great place to ski with a group of friends is the Avoriaz Ski Resort in France.
9. Ski Gate Electronic waves
Electronic devices such as security gates generate electromagnetic waves at different frequencies and intensities. Sometimes these may lead to undesired impairment of other sensitive electronic devices, such as your pacemaker and ICD. The interaction between EMI (electromagnetic interference) from the lift passes and ski gates with your pacemaker is rare, but it can happen.
I didn’t know about lift passes and ski gates until I came across them while researching. To be honest, I didn’t even consider it a factor, but it makes sense.
My Medical Device ID Card Pacemaker ICD Heart in its clear case
10. Going through the Ski Gates
Knowing the above information, I still go through the ski lift gates, and I haven’t had any problems with them during the years I’ve been skiing with my pacemaker. To me, they are no different from going through security gates at the supermarket. However, I am not a medical expert, and I think it’s up to the individual to decide what they are comfortable doing.
If you prefer not to pass through the gate, please alert the ski lift staff, and you will be given an alternative route to the lift. As I said, I have never done this, but I assume you will need to show them your pacemaker/ICD ID card. Which you should always carry anyway. Don’t forget to wear your ski helmet when skiing.
11. Where to put your lift pass
Preferably, when you are carrying your lift pass, you shouldn’t put it near your insertion. This is due to the lift pass’s electronic waves interacting with the ski gate as you pass through. Personally, you always have a small risk of anything electromagnetic being close to you. I wear my lift pass either in my ski trousers or in the arm pocket of my ski jacket. The arm is the easiest, though, as I just touch it quickly without getting too close.
⇒ Check out the latest savings on winter gear available online at Jack Wolfskin.
12. Other things to consider when skiing with a pacemaker
- Whether altitude will affect you
- Knowing your limits
- Take frequent breaks to rest
- Think about skiing with a Ski instructor for the first few runs
- Try doing a blue or green slope first to find your feet.
Head to my pacemaker defibrillator page for tips and useful information about travelling with your heart device.
Skiing with my favourite person, my husband
13. Have Fun and take care
Remember to have fun but take care. Snowboarding or skiing with a pacemaker need not be a daunting experience. Given that the whole point of having your implant is to be able to live a life as normal as possible. It would be a shame if you couldn’t do the winter sports you love.
While I still ski and hike, I am always mindful of my heart condition, blood thinners and device implant.
⇒ As stated earlier, this is my experience and what I learnt skiing with my pacemaker and ICD. Please consult your medical advisor before going to winter sports or if you have a medical question.
Ski resorts suitable for skiing with a pacemaker
If you’re looking to get back into skiing, several ski resorts in Europe offer wide, easy slopes, making them suitable for people with a pacemaker or ICD. Here are some great options I have visited:
- St. Johann Alpendorf, Austria – A part of the Ski amadé with 760 kilometres of slopes.
- Les Gets Ski Resort, France – A part of the Portes du Soleil with 600 km of slopes
- Jahorina Ski Resort, Bosnia and Herzegovina – A small resort, but the slopes are big, wide and easy. Plus, it is affordable if you are on a budget.
Have you been skiing with your Pacemaker or Defibrillator (ICD) before? Please feel free to share your experience in the comments below. Or let me know if there is anything I can add to the list to help others with a pacemaker or ICD.
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Disclaimer: All views are based on my experience skiing with my Pacemaker and Defibrillator (ICD). As well as the personal research that I did.
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