Iowans Taking to the Slopes Need a Ski or Snowboarding Helmet

Listen up Moms and Dads because this is a story you need to hear. Scott Condon of the Post Independent out of Aspen, Colorado wrote a nice article about what they are seeing in Aspen Colorado with the increased use of ski helmets and which demographic seems to be resisting the movement towards protecting your bean.

Usage is up around 50% according to those keeping tabs. Although the numbers aren’t ironclad comparing last season with what is being seen this season usage numbers are progressing. Up from 43% this season 48% of those skiing and snowboarding seem to be using helmets.

Nearly half of all skiers and riders wore helmets last season, according to an annual demographic survey performed by members of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). Usage climbed to 48 percent in 2008-09 from 43 percent the season before.

Apparently the knuckleheads not using helmets or at least demographically resisting the use of helmets are those from 30 to 50 years of age. Younger children seem to take to wearing helmets and much of that may have to do with how they are being raised along with the coolness of the way helmet manufacturers have designed helmets. From about 2/3rds to 3/4rds of children from 9 to 14 wear a helmet while skiing or boarding.

The article points out that the more skilled skiers and boarders seem to take to helmets quicker or more readily than do those with less skill.

“It's really the middle demographic, the 30-somethings to 50-somethings, that have been slow” to embrace helmets, Perry said.

Perhaps counterintuitively, helmet usage increases with the skill level of skiers and riders. NSAA said 26 percent of beginners reported wearing helmets, compared to 38 percent of intermediates and 55 percent of advanced skiers and riders.

The point of the article that is pretty interesting is that the resort doesn’t make the ski employees wear helmets. With workers’ compensation claims being as expensive as they are, or so goes the argument, it’s incredible that helmets for employees aren’t mandatory. Perhaps the arguments about too many claims are just that, a mere argument and nothing more.

The Aspen Skiing Co. has made helmet use mandatory for children taking lessons in the ski school and for anyone taking a lesson in a terrain park. It's voluntary for anyone else, including Skico employees. Perry said the ski industry is clearly moving toward making helmet use mandatory for ski-area workers. Vail Resorts instituted that policy this season.

Whatever your position may be consider wearing a helmet when skiing or snowboarding. You only have one brain and knocking it into a tree, a rock or the ski lift support isn’t a good way to make it work better. Whatever your inclination while skiing, enjoy the snow!

For further information contact the reporter in Aspen, scondon@aspentimes.com.