Should helmets be mandatory on the hill?

According to the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) they should, and in a recently released report the organization is calling upon governments at all levels to create legislation to do just that.

However, the CPS isn't only looking for governments to take action, but all ski resort operators as well, which doesn't sit well with Whistler Blackcomb (WB) vice president of planning, government relations and special projects Doug Forseth.

"Well I don't think we would support that at all nor do we think the ski industry should support that," said Forseth, noting that the call follows recent legislation in Nova Scotia making it mandatory in that province. "But they're the only one in North America that has such a law and we think the optional helmet use that we have in place now and our education efforts towards helmet use is working."

According to Forseth, raising awareness and leaving the final option up to the rider has shown that with education, people will end up wearing helmets.

"We started keeping stats on helmet use about eight or nine years ago," he recalled. "At that time around 22 per cent of riders and skiers were wearing helmets. Last year at the end of the season that number was up to 75 per cent nationwide."

Additionally, Forseth said that 91 per cent of children under 10 were wearing helmets, as were 96 per cent of those between 10 and 14.

But the CPS recommends sweeping legislation, claiming that helmet use reduces the risk of head injury by 35 per cent and that the overall benefit would be a boon to the industry.

"Despite strong evidence that helmets prevent injuries, many still ski and snowboard without them," said Dr. Natalie Yanchar, chair of the CPS Injury Prevention Committee in a statement. "Through mandatory helmet legislation, governments can send a strong message that helmets are important and reduce the risk of brain injury, disability, and death."

Read the full story in Thursday' (Jan. 26) Question.