Is Skiing Safe During Pregnancy?

Is skiing safe during pregnancy?

ACOG advises against downhill and water skiing in pregnancy because the high risk of falls and abdominal trauma at speed can cause placental abruption. In short, skiing is best avoided during pregnancy when you follow the guidance below.

The reasoning behind it

In pregnancy, activities are weighed on three things: the risk of a fall or abdominal impact, the chance of overheating, and how hard your heart and joints are working as your body changes. Staying active is healthy — it is specific risks, not movement itself, that matter.

Safer alternatives

It's wise to set skiing aside until after pregnancy. There's almost always a lower-risk way to get the same benefit — a gentler version that avoids the fall, impact, or overheating risk. Your provider can suggest a good substitute for your stage.

What about breastfeeding?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding aren't the same — some things limited in pregnancy are perfectly fine once you're nursing, and occasionally the reverse. For skiing while breastfeeding, check with your provider, since the answer can differ from the pregnancy guidance above.

The bottom line

Skiing: best avoided in pregnancy. When in doubt, choose a safer alternative and ask your provider. This page is general education, not medical advice — your provider knows your history and is the final word for your pregnancy.