Over the years there has been a significant change in equipment, piste grooming and fitness, enabling skiers to ski at speeds far greater than yesteryear. Wearing helmets started with the introduction in the 80s and 90s for a requirement that children to wear helmets – mostly by the ski schools. Now some countries make it a legal requirement for under 12s.

But for adults, anyone wearing a helmet was considered a bit weird; it simply wasn’t ‘done’. The helmet revolution probably stated around 2000 and I for one (after much resistance) first donned the hat in 2010. Michael Schumacher’s accident had significant effect on increasing the number wearers.
So, are you insured if you don’t sport the hat? The simple answer is usually yes but check out your insurance as we do know of one that excludes all ski accidents if you are not wearing a helmet, there may be others. At MPI we only make it a recommendation that a hat is worn.

But picture this:
Someone skis or snowboards into you and you take a bad knock to the head, you consider it’s the other guy’s fault, you were not wearing a helmet and you sue for damages.

The judge may rule that you contributed to the injury by not wearing a helmet and disallow a percentage of the award. This is called contributory negligence. It is this example that may create the confusion within the skiing community about the legal implications of whether or not you should don the ‘lid’.

For options on buying a helmet... visit Ellis Brigham