Mandatory Helmets at Ski Areas

[sledhaulingmedic]

Argue it however you want (I've worn one for going on 10 seasons yet don't advocate any regulation regarding them), the ski industry is dead set against any such regulation and recommends strongly against areas "requiring" helmets, for a host of legal reasons. I'd be very surprised if a resort adopted such a policy.

I wear a helmet, I wear goggles or glasses, all the time. I have releasable bindings. I prefer brakes over retention straps. Use (or don't use) whatever you want. I do hate government mandates.

 

[BeanoNYC]

I'm not sure if this was covered on this thread or another but I am not into the regulation part of it. Now, if a resort wants to give me a discount on a lift ticket because I wear my helmet, I'd be more than happy.

 

[PowderDeprived]

I think a summery that has come out of this is that alot of people wear helmets, choose to wear them (some enjoy wearing them) and that most people just want the government to stay out of this.

 

[kingslug]

I don't think the helmet helped...

LOL.
Helmet laws, nah. I wear one but don't need a law to tell me to. It's you're head. Besides it's just an insurance issue, like motorcycle helmet laws. What are they really for?

 

[Marc]

Actually, the constitution is an anti-majoritarian document. It protects the individual's rights from big government. The founding fathers were concerned about federalism. States rights and powers v. central gov't's rights and powers. The constitution protects individual (and state's) rights from officials that are elected by a majority of the people.

My personal opinion....as for helmets (and almost everything else) leave me alone. (p.s. what am i wearing in the pic to the left?)

I agree the intent of the Constitution was and is to limit and contain the power of pure democracy and majority (mob) rule, however, the inclusion of the ninth and tenth amendments were specifically what my initial comment was based around, pertaining more directly to the issue at hand. As you pointed out, state's rights were a major concern but took a back seat to citizen's, as indicated by the order of the ninth and tenth amendments.

My sentiment is backed up by the several members of the continental congress and the constitutional convention who were dead set against the bill of rights and viewed the enumeration clause as a weak comprimise.

Yay civics geeks.

 

[Brettski]

Wore my helemt last ski trip out all week....had it for 3 years and wore it twice....

Took some getting used to, especially on a bluebird day at Cannon

 

[nightingale]

I guess "bumping an old thread" didn't bother these posters - four pages worth! What say you now?

 

[teachski]

Interestingly, my 14 year old niece was just talking about this. It seems that her class wrote a bill last year, which a local representitive and senator (Massachusetts) presented this year. The bill they wrote called for all school sponsored groups(regardless of age) and all children (under 14) to have to wear helmets. I am not sure of all of the details and I am also not sure of how the bill fared. I will see if I can get them.

This bill was created as a response to the loss of one of their schoolmates in an accident at Wachusett a couple years ago.

 

[Angus]

a ski area/ski trail is not a public right of way and therefore the operator has the right to regulate the slopes anyway seen fit. So, those trying to equate wearing helmets with seatbelts or motorcycles are barking up the wrong tree - I guess, I'm not a lawyer!

anyway, i never wore a helmet until my son starting skiing a few years ago. After hearing him ask me repeatedly why I didn't wear one, I realized I was setting a bad example and being a hypocrite. I always considered them a little "whussy" - I know, I'm a bit of a Neanderthal. Anyway, I went out, bought one two years ago and never would consider not wearing one again. They are comfortable, offer great protection from the cold as well as the protection from ice, rocks and branches.

 

[Marc]

a ski area/ski trail is not a public right of way and therefore the operator has the right to regulate the slopes anyway seen fit. So, those trying to equate wearing helmets with seatbelts or motorcycles are barking up the wrong tree - I guess, I'm not a lawyer!

anyway, i never wore a helmet until my son starting skiing a few years ago. After hearing him ask me repeatedly why I didn't wear one, I realized I was setting a bad example and being a hypocrite. I always considered them a little "whussy" - I know, I'm a bit of a Neanderthal. Anyway, I went out, bought one two years ago and never would consider not wearing one again. They are comfortable, offer great protection from the cold as well as the protection from ice, rocks and branches.

I don't think anyone was inferring they were. While the original post was regarding ski area operators enforcing helmet rules, the conversation subsequently morphed into a debate over the merits of a government enforced helmet law. That is where the comparison to seatbelt and motorcycle laws came to rise. Perhaps you were confused over that distinction.

 

[Phildozer]

I'm a big fan of helmets while skiing. It took awhile to convince me (isn't that right Sky?) but once I purchased one, I'll never go back to skiing without.

For me, the idea that I have an extra bit of insurance in-case something unexpected happens is worth every penny I paid for the brain-bucket.

 

[Mark D]

I don't think the helmet helped...

thats from years of other stuff. when i skate board i dont wear one, when i go to sparring class (both kung fu and judo) i dont wear head gear i think they may of had more of an effect.

 

[catskills]

I am always amazed at how long these helmet law threads last.

 

[NYDrew]

I wear a helmit and I say that this is a stupid idea. There are some days that I choose not to wear a helmit...especially if its a hot day and im teaching. I like to have my choice even though I wear my helmit 99% of the time.

 

[WICKEDBUMPER]

I dont wear a helmet and never would want to be told I have to wear one but this makes you think;
a friend of a friend, a guy I have skiied with before (an advanced skier with 25+ years on skis) hit a tree this year while skiing with his family. Claims he was bored and just started to daydream and not pay attention to what he was doing. anyway, he broke a few bones. Busted his helmet in 2 and besides some blood and a hell of a lump, nothing happened to his head. ski patrol told him he would have been dead had he not had that helmet on.