For immediate release

September 2010

Contact: Colin Chedore, President

Ph: 705-445-9140

 Canadian Ski Council reports that Helmet Usage Increasing Steadily at Canadian Ski Resorts

Ski industry campaigns to encourage safety on the hill and the use of helmets have been successful in seeing an increase in usage, particularly by youth.  Safety on the hill is the highest priority for the Canadian ski and snowboard industry and industry efforts to promote the Alpine Responsibility Code and helmet usage have been paying off.

The National Consumer Profile and Satisfaction Survey, conducted annually by the Canadian Ski Council, (CSC) has been tracking helmet usage by skiers and riders for the last 4 years.    Overall, helmet 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. 

• Usage by youth 10 – 14 years old has increased to 95% in 2010 from 75% in 2006
• Usage by youth 15 – 17 years old has increased to 85% in 2010 from 65%
• Usage by young adults 18 – 24 years of age has remained at 63%
• 59% of adults 25 – 34 wear helmets.
• Adult (35 – 44) usage has remained at about 69% over the past 5 years
• Nearly 75% of adults 45 – 54 years of age wear helmets, up from 58% in 2005
• The greatest growth in helmet usage is in the 55 to 64 age group, which has increased to 76% in 2010 from 39% in 2005.

Helmet usage also varies by region, across Canada. 

• Usage is highest in New Brunswick at 95%, followed by Newfoundland (75%), Alberta (73%) and Quebec (77%).
• Usage is lowest in Ontario and BC at 67% and 66% respectively.

The CSC has developed a national program to encourage youth in Grades 4 and 5 to learn to ski and board.  In 2010, approximately 30,000 youth participated in the Snowpass program.  As part of the SnowPass program, a survey of parents of program participants is undertaken.  Data from the 2010 survey show that helmet usage is increasing among both program participants and their parents. 

• 85% of parents reported that they wear a helmet when they ski, up from 54% in 2008/2009 and 48% in 2007/2008
• 90% of all SnowPass holders wear a helmet when they ski/snowboard.
• 49% of SnowPass families purchased a helmet last year.
 

The Canadian Ski Council is a national non-profit organization whose mandate is to increase participation in recreational skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing.