Highly Obsessed: The Snowboarding and Cycling Blog » helmets

Helmet Usage Is Up In Canada. Mostly.

Adam — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:45:59 +0000

Remember when helmets were taboo? It wasn’t too long ago. Anyone wearing a helmet on the slopes who was skiing or riding recreationally was looked at kind of funny. But with the advent of the park, and many snow stars going “mainstream” if you will, helmets have become the norm.

I find there’s a similar parallel with bikes; look back 10 years, and no-one wore helmets. Now it’s perfectly acceptable and normal.

But anyway. I just came across a really interesting report from the Canadian Ski Council. In it, the Council reports that helmet usage – especially among youth – is up significantly over the past four years.

According to the report:

“… usage has increased from 67% of all skiers and riders in 2006 to 71% in 2010. This is significantly higher than in the US, where reports found that 57% of skiers and riders wore helmets in 2010.”

The report has a couple of really interesting caveats, though. For example, usage in the 35-44 age bracket did not increase. Moreover, Ontario and British Columbia have the dubious honour of least usage, with 67% and 66% usage respectively. The keener province? New Brunswick, with 95% usage. Wow.

Intrawest Tightens Policy on Ski and Snowboard Helmets

Adam — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:32:36 +0000

According to this recent article in the Whistler Question, Intrawest, parent company of resorts like Whistler Blackcomb, Mont Tremblant and Blue Mountain, is getting a bit more serious about ski and snowboard helmets on the mountain.

Beginning this year, all participants in ski and snowboard schools under the age of 18 will be required to wear a lid, no questions asked. Apparently, there used to be a clause that allowed parents to opt their kids out of wearing a helmet. Not sure I think that was a good idea in the first place.

In 2011, all Intrawest employees will be required to wear helmets while in terrain parks. And going forward, Intrawest is modifying its promotional materials to feature skiers and snowboarders clad in helmets.

I expect that over the next few years we’ll see policies like this begin to expand further; I could even forsee a day when everyone has to wear one, period.

Tunes and Phone Calls: The Evolution of Mobile Sound

josh — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:42:57 +0000

Snowboard hardware manufacturers are always trying to think of the next gadget that they hope will become a must have.

A lot of people like to listen to MP3 players or talk on cellular phones. Why not do both when you snowboard?!

I personally love listening to music when I board, but there is no way I would try and have a phone conversation. That is just not necessary. I want to concentrate on my ride and talk later. When I do listen to tunes I have it set at a volume low enough so that I could hear someone yelling to me, “Hey, you’re about to hit a groomer!”

Toques and helmets with built-in speakers seem like a great idea, but isn’t it possible that a lot of people will not use them responsibly? Is this really a good idea? I suppose it’s not about good ideas – it’s about lucrative ones.

I must admit, I wouldn’t mind trying out a helmet like this beauty from Smith.

Not related to snowboarding, I have a great idea for a gadget… a pillow that stays cool. Most of us love flipping over the pillow and enjoying the cold side. Patent Pending!

I, For One, Think Snowboarding Helmets are an Excellent Idea.

Adam — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:58:00 +0000

“Concussions suck” is the last quote in this article debating whether ski and snowboard helmets make a difference. I think the quote pretty much sums up how I feel about helmets. The article says that according to new research from the National Ski Area Association, the number of deaths on the slopes hasn’t dropped in a decade despite the widespread use of helmets. But that’s not to say, of course, that helmets aren’t reducing thinks like concussions. Having flown down a couple of runs headfirst in Whistler this week, I can certainly attest to their handiness (is that a word?).

Incidentally, did you know this week is National Safety Awareness Week, which promotes slope safety? I learn something new every day!