Background Injury and illness prevention practices in competitive snow sports must be better understood among stakeholders. In particular, there is a need for a greater understanding of what context-specific stakeholders require for prevention. Therefore, this study surveyed stakeholders` current practices, needs, responsibilities and knowledge dissemination preferences related to injury and illness prevention in competitive snow sports and described the main commonalities and differences between stakeholder groups. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study that used an online survey developed using Kipling`s principle (the "5W1H" method) and targeted athletes, coaches, team staff, ski racing suppliers, and representatives from all competition levels and all competitive snow sports governed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. The data were analysed following both quantitative and qualitative descriptive analyses. Results Most of the 436 respondents believed in and reported needing more information on injury and illness prevention. The participants stated that the main goal of prevention was to avoid injuries and minimise their time away from being on snow, and they stressed their different underlying motivations. Despite the differences across subgroups, participants highlighted knee and head injuries and concussions as their primary injury prevention targets and priorities for additional information. Respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses were reported as their main targets of illness prevention, but more information on all illnesses was reported. Current practices and priorities for additional information fell under athlete-, equipment-, snow/environment-, and course-related prevention areas. Moreover, stakeholders highlighted their need for more information on mental health and training. Shared responsibilities were identified across the development, dissemination, and implementation of prevention, along with stakeholders` preferred communication channels. Conclusions Our study provides meaningful insights across athlete, equipment-, snow/environment-, and course-related prevention areas related to snow sports, roles, and competition levels. These insights may inform the development, dissemination and further implementation of any tailored and context-driven preventive measure by better addressing end-users` needs. These findings may support successful future preventive interventions by providing key elements and a clear path to improve athletes` health and safety. Key Points - In addition to the overview provided regarding injury and illness prevention within competitive snow sports, differences in practices and priorities between snow sports, roles and competition levels were identified, mainly because of the nature and characteristics of their settings. - These differences in current practices and needs priorities between stakeholder groups indicate the need for context-specific and tailored approaches across athletes, equipment, course settings, and snow domains. Mental health and mental training were deemed the domains with the highest priority for further knowledge across all prevention areas. - Different stakeholders play different roles in prevention, with athletes and coaches at the centre in the development and implementation. Collective approaches involving key stakeholders in developing, disseminating, and implementing prevention measures highlight the significance of shared responsibilities and stakeholder cooperation. - Newly emerging topics included mental health and performance, the health and performance of female athletes, gradual onset-related low back pain, busy race schedules and recovery, nutrition, airbag technology, mouthguards, safety equipment and venue setup.
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