In 981 skiing accidents the type of injury resulting was studied in relation to the skiing activity (long distance, cross country, and downhill) and to the type of boots used. From the patterns of injuries it appears that in downhill skiing not only the velocity but also the particular type of equipment used is responsible for the increased incidence and for the characteristic type of injuries. The alpine ski boot used in downhill skiing, however, seems to protect the ankle joint and the foot from injuries that are more common in cross-country and long distance skiing.