| The debate surrounding the compulsory wearing of | | | | or riding on the job. This not only includes staff at |
| ski helmets has been rekindled following a number of | | | | Vail but also Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone |
| high profile incidents. The two most newsworthy | | | | and Heavenly. Also all children under 12 attending Vail |
| incidents being the death of the British actress | | | | Resorts ski schools will be required to wear a ski or |
| Natasha Richardson and the jailing of a German | | | | snowboard helmet. |
| politician for the manslaughter of another skier | | | | In Europe many of the ski schools are actively |
| following a collision. | | | | encouraging their ski and boarding instructors to wear |
| The consensus of opinion amongst the medical | | | | helmets. Italy has led the way in Europe in terms of |
| profession and skiing/snowboarding organizations is | | | | introducing a law making it mandatory for children to |
| that wearing ski helmets should not be made | | | | wear a ski helmet. This has been followed by lower |
| compulsory. Both sides argue that there is little or no | | | | Austria who have introduced a similar law. |
| scientific research to show that a ski helmet will truly | | | | In response to the recent tragic incidents on the ski |
| reduce the likelihood of death or serious injury | | | | slopes some ski and snowboard equipment rental |
| following a collision. They also point to the fact that | | | | companies have been started to promote the use of |
| serious head injuries are rare in skiing and | | | | helmets. Many include a free ski or snowboarding |
| snowboarding. However when they do occur they | | | | helmet in any rental package a client purchases from |
| are a significant factor in any death. Medical | | | | them. Also some ski tour operators are offering a |
| professionals and ski/snowboarding organizations | | | | free ski helmet with holiday bookings in an effort to |
| agree that skiers and snowboarders should be | | | | promote responsible and safe skiing and riding. Ski |
| encouraged to wear a ski helmet. | | | | and snowboard retailers have also noticed a marked |
| This sentiment is echoed throughout the multitude of | | | | increase in the number of ski helmet sales following |
| ski and snowboarding forums where the issue of | | | | these high profile incidents. |
| compulsory wearing of ski helmets and snowboard | | | | Many in the skiing and snowboarding community |
| helmets is being hotly debated. Many argue that by | | | | believe that the announcement by Vail Resorts is the |
| making ski helmets compulsory skiers and riders will | | | | thin end of the wedge. They believe that it is |
| ski or ride with less care and attention as the helmet | | | | inevitable that the wearing of ski and snowboarding |
| may give them a false sense of security. | | | | helmets will be made compulsory for all. For the time |
| The debate now appears to have moved on | | | | being it seems that common sense will have to |
| following the announcement by Vail Resorts that all | | | | prevail when it comes to deciding whether to wear a |
| employees will have to wear a ski helmet when skiing | | | | ski helmet whilst skiing or riding. |