| The wearing of snow sports helmets has become | | | | the contrary helmets are becoming more and |
| increasingly popular season after season over | | | | more cool. Today's ski helmets are |
| the past decade. Helmets are now compulsory | | | | functional, attractive, light and less |
| in competitive skiing and snowboarding and | | | | restrictive than their helmet cousins of the |
| increasingly being worn by high-profile | | | | early nineties. |
| skiers. With a huge range of colours and | | | | |
| designs available ski helmets are fast | | | | With the growing popularity of safety gear, |
| becoming regarded as a trendy and essential | | | | not only in winter sports but in many other |
| fashion accessory. | | | | sports, and the fact that more skiers are |
| | | | looking for extreme conditions, helmet sales |
| Currently it is not a requirement for adults | | | | have soared over the past few years. |
| or children to wear a ski or snowboarding | | | | According to 44% of skiers currently wear a |
| helmet whilst participating in recreational | | | | helmet and 42% are intending to wear one the |
| skiing. The exception to this is one of the | | | | next time they visit the slopes. |
| most fashion conscious countries in the | | | | |
| world; Italy, where the wearing of helmets | | | | Helmet manufacturers have noticed the rise in |
| became compulsory for all under-14s on 1st | | | | the use of helmets by skiers and snowboarders |
| January 2005. | | | | and are thus developing new types and designs |
| | | | every season. The focus for manufacturers is |
| Italy is the first European country to | | | | making helmets lighter, more durable and more |
| legislate that children must wear helmets on | | | | fashionable in an attempt to reduce the |
| the ski slopes. Those caught without helmets | | | | resistance with first-time buyers. |
| will face a fine of £100. In addition to | | | | Furthermore, some helmet companies are trying |
| the helmet requirement for children, off | | | | to construct helmets which can be used for |
| piste skiers are obliged to carry an | | | | multiple activities such as climbing, skating |
| electronic page and ski police will be able | | | | and cycling thereby increasing the usage of a |
| to fine skiers for excessive speeding. All | | | | helmet for a consumer. |
| Italian resorts are expected to adhere to | | | | |
| these rules and some ski schools offer free | | | | All ski helmets should carry a CE, ASTM or |
| ski helmets to children taking lessons. | | | | Snell RS-98 certification. ASTM standards |
| | | | have been determined by a range of tests on |
| With the Italian legislation now in place it | | | | helmet models. These tests include testing |
| is likely that other European countries will | | | | the strength of a helmet's retention system |
| be seriously considering following suit. | | | | under simulated hot, cold and wet conditions |
| | | | and multiple impacts and velocity forces |
| The wearing of ski helmets in general has | | | | against various sections of the helmet to |
| become much more acceptable. No longer are | | | | determine performance in skiing accidents. |
| skiers or boarders regarded as 'uncool', on | | | | |