I had an accident the same week as Natasha Richardson and feel rather fortunate.

A snowboarder was racing his friend to a restaurant and quote "didnt see me" as he hit me at around 50kpm from behind. A wide open blue, hardly anyone around or on the slope so no excuse really. Sadly (for him) all caught on film (thank god) as I cant remember anything from that day!

Unconscious for 3 hours and airlifted off the mountain, lost my sight, face pretty mashed up, leg and arm in plaster....

But two things saved me - I had a Dakine ruck sack on which seems to have a built in back protector which took the impact when he hit me from behind and my helmet which took the impact of his helmet (and his head) hitting me. Convinced that both saved my life!

Thankfully on the mend and sight came back after a few weeks - I do think that there should be speed restrictions in Europe - the guy who did it should have had his pass taken off him immediately and even a resort ban.

Interestingly BUPA are now chasing the guy as they are claiming back all my medical expenses on account of negligence.