First of all, let me say that I am an avid snowboarder and therefore do not feel any ill will towards snowboarders. I am also not an insurance agent (not that there's anything wrong with that). Having said that, my idea is to make it a law to have snowboarders and skiiers have some sort of health insurance. Anecdotally, I know that many snowboarders do not. Having this requirement is actually for the benefit of all as my assumption is that uncovered accidents are somehow paid for by those that are insured. It would also give a boost to insurance companies although that is not my primary intended goal. The snowboarder/skiier insurance could easily be sold onsite at the resorts. It could be an added cost to the lift ticket if you don't already have insurance. The insurance could also be purchased based on number of days needed. Just like you need insurance to drive, I think we should require insurance to snowboard/ski.
Here's some statistical info on fatalities:According to the National Ski Areas Association, "most fatalities occur in the same population that engages in high-risk behavior. Victims are predominantly male (85%) from their late teens to late 30s (70%), according to Dr. Shealy. Less than 10% of fatally injured skiers and snowboarders are under 10 or over 50 years of age, but more than 16% of all skiers and snowboarders are in these age groups. Most of those fatally injured are usually above-average skiers and snowboarders who are going at high rates of speed on the margins of intermediate trails. This is the same population that suffers the majority of unintentional deaths from injury. For example, in 1995 this population suffered 74% of fatal car accidents and 85% of all industrial accidents, Dr. Shealy reports. Males comprise about 60% of skiing participants, and more than 75% of snowboarding participants. Snowboarders don't appear to be making the slopes less safe for their skiing peers, either, says Dr. Shealy. A study presented at the Ninth International Symposium on Skiing Trauma and Safety in 1993 indicated that 7.7% of all ski injuries are the result of skiers running into skiers, while only 2.6% of snowboard accidents are caused this way."
According the NSAA website, snowboarding injuries have increased, not to the point where it is any more dangerous than other recreational activities, but that it is potentially an increasing problem.
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This is a good idea, it could be like airline insurance from a vending machine at the airport. However, there is a major consideration. A relatively large percentage of skiiers/snowboarders are injured each day relative to all other activities. The cost to purchase the insurance would be high.
In addition there is the "moral hazard" to consider. There is a danger that peoplw who are insured will behave less cautiously. Since many who ski or snowboard already are at the time in their lives when they feel invincible, the additional knowledge of being insured may cause them to be more reckless.