Crash Test Dummies
A new bill introduced in California would make ski helmets mandatory for all minors and employees at any resort in the state. Intrawest, the mega-corp that owns a network of resorts across the U.S., including Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia, enacted a similar policy at all of its resorts this season. Any kid involved in a school program is now required to wear a helmet, and helmets are included in youth equipment rentals. The company also “recommends” that all guests wear helmets at their resorts. A number of the larger Western resorts also have similar rules in place. After high-profile accidents like the recent Natasha Richardson tragedy, some skiers hypothesize that helmets will be mandatory for all skiers at most resorts within a few years.
I wear a helmet whenever I ski, but I’m not sure how I feel about mandatory head gear. If each resort wants to require helmets, that’s one thing, but a law that makes it illegal to ski without a helmet is another.
BRO readers, what do you think? Should helmets be mandatory at our resorts?
i think i echo graham’s thoughts on this: resorts should be able to make their own rules. protecting your business against lawsuits by making safety rules is just fine by me. but i don’t see why the government needs to require it by law. over-parenting, IMO.
I think requiring helmets for minors is a great idea. What’s the difference between this and requiring helmets for young bike riders across the country?
I’m not so sure about requiring helmets for everyone though. If you’re an adult, you should be able to make that choice (albeit a straightforward one) on your own.
Also, what kind of enforcement (or non-enforcement) issues would laws like this create?
[...] legislature (known for their laid back, indifferent approach to lawmaking) has introduced a bill which will make wearing a helmet at a ski resort mandatory for all minors and employees. People [...]