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