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COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — Helmets will be required for kids participating is ski school programs at Copper Mountain this coming winter
The new measures announced by Intrawest Thursday require all participants in both children's (age 3 to 12) and youth (13 to 17) ski-school classes to wear helmets. The new rules end an opt-out option.
Starting in the 2010-2011 winter season, Intrawest employees will be required to wear helmets when skiing or riding in freestyle terrain parks.
The new rules apply at all nine of the Intrawest resorts in North America. The company also said it will change its promotional materials to feature images of skiers and snowboarders wearing helmets. Ski and snowboard rental packages for children and youths at Intrawest-owned rental shops will include helmets, Intrawest officials said.
Vail Resorts announced a similar measure last spring, requiring all of its employees to wear helmets while skiing or riding beginning this season.
Copper spokesperson Lauren Pelletreau said she doesn't expect the move to create any significant extra expenses for families. Most kids who ski and ride at Copper are already wearing helmets, she said.
“Intrawest is working in conjunction with the ski industry to establish important best practices on behalf of our resort guests and employees,” said Bill Jensen, chief executive officer at Intrawest.
The wider helmet debate has continued for years, with some consumer advocacy groups calling for mandatory helmet rules, while some ski industry groups recommend helmets, while continuing to advocate for consumer choice and individual responsibility.
The National Ski Areas Association, for example, believes safe skiing practices and following the skier safety code are just as important to avoiding injuries as helmets.
Most studies show helmets are effective in reducing injuries in many types of ski area accidents, although high-speed collisions with trees or other obstacles are dangerous in any case.
Intrawest officials said they hope that having employees wear helmets will help set an example for resort visitors.
bberwyn@summitdaily.com
The new measures announced by Intrawest Thursday require all participants in both children's (age 3 to 12) and youth (13 to 17) ski-school classes to wear helmets. The new rules end an opt-out option.
Starting in the 2010-2011 winter season, Intrawest employees will be required to wear helmets when skiing or riding in freestyle terrain parks.
The new rules apply at all nine of the Intrawest resorts in North America. The company also said it will change its promotional materials to feature images of skiers and snowboarders wearing helmets. Ski and snowboard rental packages for children and youths at Intrawest-owned rental shops will include helmets, Intrawest officials said.
Vail Resorts announced a similar measure last spring, requiring all of its employees to wear helmets while skiing or riding beginning this season.
Copper spokesperson Lauren Pelletreau said she doesn't expect the move to create any significant extra expenses for families. Most kids who ski and ride at Copper are already wearing helmets, she said.
“Intrawest is working in conjunction with the ski industry to establish important best practices on behalf of our resort guests and employees,” said Bill Jensen, chief executive officer at Intrawest.
The wider helmet debate has continued for years, with some consumer advocacy groups calling for mandatory helmet rules, while some ski industry groups recommend helmets, while continuing to advocate for consumer choice and individual responsibility.
The National Ski Areas Association, for example, believes safe skiing practices and following the skier safety code are just as important to avoiding injuries as helmets.
Most studies show helmets are effective in reducing injuries in many types of ski area accidents, although high-speed collisions with trees or other obstacles are dangerous in any case.
Intrawest officials said they hope that having employees wear helmets will help set an example for resort visitors.
bberwyn@summitdaily.com
