Should helmets be mandatory for skiers and snowboarders in Ontario?

Abstract

Every year, approximately 15% of Canadians participate in snow sports. Among skiers and snowboarders, 9%–19% suffer potentially disabling injuries to the head. Case-control studies have shown that ski helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 29%–60%. Opponents of mandatory ski helmet use have presented a series of arguments against ski helmets. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that ski helmets improve the safety of skiers and represent a benefit. Currently, there is no ski helmet legislation in Ontario. Few jurisdictions have legislation mandating the use of ski helmets. In Canada, only Nova Scotia has legislation regarding the use of ski helmets. In Canada, there are no mandatory safety standards for the manufacturing of ski helmets despite the publication of standards by the Canadian Standards Association in 2008.