fifteenth August 2025
Italy is the primary ski nation on the planet to make it obligatory. After on-line claims, social media hypothesis and AI generated tales PlanetSKI can affirm folks on the slopes in Italy might want to put on a helmet subsequent winter. NEW & UPDATED
For those who ski or snowboard in Italy this coming season you’ll need a helmet in your head.
It must be a CE-certified helmet that meets European security requirements.
Offenders will face a high-quality and the withdrawal of their ski cross for one to a few days.
It will likely be utilized to all folks on snow – skiers, snowboarders and in addition these on sledges & toboggans.
The primary stage of the extension to the regulation was handed in July 2025 and we reported on it on the time on PlanetSKI:
We now have now heard from the carry firm in Bardonecchia and from the director of the Llimone Piemonte Ski Faculty who can also be the President of the Collegio del Piemonte.
Each affirm the event.
Helmets can be obligatory for all ages and it’s an extension of a regulation handed in 2021 for it to be obligatory for all beneath 18 years of age.
“All well being and security measures are improvement as snowboarding is inherently harmful and is practiced in an setting with risks,” stated the Ski Faculty Supervisor of the Supreme Ski & Snowboard Faculty, James Salomoni, who grew up within the Italian resort of Sauze d’Oulx.
The corporate presently runs ski teacher coaching programs in Sauze d’Oulx.
“The season remains to be fairly distant so it’s not been launched and reported extensively for that purpose.”
James contacted different our bodies and organisations in Italy for PlanetSKI as a way to affirm the event.
James Salomoni. Picture c/o Supreme Ski Faculty.
Representatives of the FISI (Italian Winter Sports activities Federation) and Dolomiti Superski have welcomed the rule noting that the majority grownup skiers already put on helmets.
Snowboarding within the Aosta Valley. Picture © PlanetSKI
“It’s lengthy overdue and all folks on our programs throughout the mountains are required to put on a ski helmet,” stated Warren Smith, from the Warren Smith Ski Academy to PlanetSKI.
The Academy runs summer time programs within the Italian resort of Cervinia, and a gaggle has been out on the slopes this week.
All carrying helmets.
Warren Smith Ski Academy group in Cervinia, Italy. Picture c/o WSSA.
Nevertheless, there are some skiers & snowboarders preferring carrying a helmet to be a matter of non-public selection.
There have been stories that the safety they provide may be over-rated and should improve the chance of damage in sure circumstances.
“I might usually advocate private selection, however that may simply be sure that the least smart skiers don’t put on a helmet,” stated the MD of the UK ski operator SNO, Richard Sinclair.
“I all the time put on a helmet, however equally I don’t prefer it when some really feel they’ll criticise different folks for his or her selection to not.
“I perceive why the outdated French ESF instructors don’t put on a sweaty helmet all day after they’re simply shepherding freshmen round a slushy nursery slope within the April sunshine.
“Within the greatest biking nation on earth, beneath 4% of Dutch cyclists put on a helmet, in a sport with related speeds and no tender snow to fall on, however perceptions of what’s cheap do change, and none of us would suppose using a motorbike with no helmet is appropriate now.”
The transition to folks carrying a helmet as a matter in fact is fascinating.
“As a ski teacher working in Verbier, twenty odd years in the past, I bear in mind effectively turning up for work carrying a helmet,” stated PlanetSKI editor, James Cove.
“The director of the ski faculty requested me to take it off in no unsure phrases as he thought it will intimidate shoppers and make them really feel we had been about to go and do harmful snowboarding.
“How issues have modified.
“I now get social media feedback if I’m not carrying a helmet in PlanetSKI photos and movies, even when I’ve simply been going up the mountain to do a few mild runs, take a couple of photos, replace PlanetSKI from a mountain restaurant or meet a contact for a chat over lunch.”
James Cove, Italy. Picture © PlanetSKI
“Largely I do put on a helmet, whether or not in Italy or wherever else, and recommend others do the identical.”
La Thuile, Italy. Picture © PlanetSKI
It’s unclear how the brand new helmet regulation could also be policed in Italy.
Helmet Guidelines at Different Ski Nations:
Andorra: A ski helmet just isn’t obligatory however strongly really helpful. If you’re going off-piste then a helmet is obligatory.
Austria: A ski helmet is obligatory for youngsters as much as 15 years in all federal states besides the Tirol and Vorarlberg. For those who go to those states with no helmet, the ski faculty might require it anyway. There isn’t any ski helmet requirement for adults, however it’s strongly really helpful.
Croatia: A ski helmet is obligatory for youngsters as much as 14 years.
France: A ski helmet just isn’t obligatory, although carrying a helmet is really helpful.
Germany: No helmet requirement, however the German Ski Affiliation and German Ski Teacher Affiliation suggest all the time carrying a ski helmet.
Norway: A ski helmet just isn’t obligatory, however is inspired.
Poland: A ski helmet is obligatory for youngsters as much as 16 years of age. Not carrying a helmet may end up in the confiscation of their ski cross and a high-quality.
Slovakia: A ski helmet is obligatory for youngsters as much as the age of 15.
Slovenia: A ski helmet is obligatory for youngsters as much as 14 years. Not carrying a helmet may end up in a high-quality.
Spain: A helmet is inspired, however just isn’t obligatory.
Sweden: A helmet just isn’t compulsory, however kids are turned away at some lifts with out helmets.
Switzerland: No helmet is required, however analysis has proven that the proportion of individuals carrying helmets is highest in Switzerland.
In Canada and the USA a helmet just isn’t obligatory, although many resorts require their workers to put on a helmet when on the slopes for work.
It stays to be seen if different international locations and ski areas comply with the instance of Italy.
Pila, Italy. Picture © PlanetSKI
UPDATE:
There was response from readers over on the PlanetSKI Fb web page.
Dale Thomson: Until about 5 years in the past I by no means wore one. Was type of guilt tripped into it however had a giant crash final season that broke a rib and utterly tore a tendon in my shoulder. Nonetheless ready for surgical procedure on it. Nevertheless, I can actually say if I hadn’t had a lid on I wouldn’t it be typing this message as we speak.
Annie Gardner: Mad when you don’t! Does it apply to ski faculty instructors? That’ll by no means occur in France!!
Joanne Dyle: Completely can’t see 60 12 months outdated ESF instructors going for it.
Nick Davies: Increasingly widespread in France … Particularly the youthful era of instructors coming through. In our resort it’s widespread place for ESF instructors to be carrying them… 12 months in 12 months, increasingly more.
Scott Hammond: That’s gonna be about as welcome as a fart in a spacesuit! Are you able to think about all them AMSI – Associazione Maestri Sci Italiani who solely ski in sun shades.
Anite Smit: I believe 98% of skiers already put on them anyway.
Ged Hughes: To remember … the tender squishy factor contained in the cranium can nonetheless be broken no matter helmet you’re carrying if the influence is important.
John Roberts: Simply widespread sense these days. Not all the time the snow depth round. Definitely not uncomfortable both.
Bev England: Been carrying one for years – is smart.
Adrian Gravil: I forwarded this hyperlink to my crew earlier that I’m going Cervinia with. One has by no means worn a helmet snowboarding up to now.
Richard J Stephens: Hmmm contemplating the French & Italians appear to deal with guidelines as pointers somewhat than absolutes it’ll be fascinating to see if this follows via in actual life subsequent season.
Ian Findlater: Good news. Not earlier than time. I really like snowboarding in Italy 
the truth is I simply love Italy, the individuals are one of the best Europeans.
Casey Clark Obert: Nice thought.
Be happy so as to add your view over on the PlanetSKI Fb web page.
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