The issue of ski and snowboard helmets – whether they should be mandatory and whether Canada needs a set of national helmet standards for manufacturers and consumers – has taken centre stage in recent weeks after a string of five deaths in Quebec and B.C.
On Friday, Feb. 18, an 18-year-old Vancouver skier died from head injuries after colliding with a tree at Apex Mountain Resort. He was taking part in the resort’s annual Iron Legs competition where participants ski or snowboard all 24 of the resort’s advanced black diamond and double black diamond runs.
Earlier this month a 47-year-old skier from Vancouver died of a head injury after he lost control and went into the trees.
In early February, two skiers in Quebec, aged 12 and 21, died of head injuries after colliding with trees. Another youth died tobogganing.
None of the victims were wearing helmets.
The deaths have prompted calls in Quebec and B.C. for ski and snowboard helmet laws similar to provincial legislation that applies to cyclists.
Richard Kinar, a North Shore resident and helmet advocate, says those deaths are yet another wake-up call for the industry and governments. Largely through his activism over the last three years, Kinar has brought the helmet issue to the forefront, securing support for helmet laws and standards from organizations like the Union of B.C. Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the City of North Vancouver. He also has the backing of several MLAs and MPs, and prompted the Canadian Standards Association’s steering committee to recognize the need for helmet standards for snow sports.
All that’s missing at this stage is a small amount of funding and the political will to make those standards a reality.
"Everyone I’ve spoken to agrees that it’s not much money – about $200,000 to write the standards and $300,000 for an education program," said Kinar.
"Obviously we’re close to getting the money. It’s absolutely essential in light of five deaths in Canada in a 10-day period. People are talking about national helmet standards for skiing and snowboarding, and this is the time to do it."
According to John Walter, the senior director of standards development for the CSA, Kinar deserves a lot of the credit for advancing the argument for helmet regulations and standards in Canada, but there needs to be more support at the federal level.
"(Politicians) either aren’t aware of it or they won’t do it, which is why it takes something like the three deaths in Quebec to bring it to our attention," said Walter. "We’re certainly involved, and the challenge now is to find funding, and so far we’re not having much success."
Although the CSA’s steering committee has supported the creation of helmet standards, only elected officials or ministries can commission the CSA to create those standards. As an arm’s length government agency, the CSA’s only role is to create the documentation for the standard when government makes the request, and to educate people on how to apply the standard once the work is completed.
"Right now the best thing to do is what Mr. Kinar is doing and what the media is doing by bringing this issue to people’s attention. The more people that are concerned enough to write letters and make their feelings known, the more likely we’ll see that funding," Walter said.
Because there are several existing ski and snowboard helmet standards already in use in Europe and the U.S., Walter says it will be relatively simple and inexpensive to synthesize a set of CSA standards. He estimates that the standards could be on the books within a year once funding is approved.
Although all of the CSA’s standards are voluntary, they are frequently adopted by other organizations and governments until they become mandatory. For example, you can sell hockey helmets that aren’t CSA certified in Canada, but no hockey associations will allow the use of those helmets in their leagues.
And when it comes to helmets for cycling and hockey, only CSA-certified helmets are exempt from federal taxes.
In last week’s budget the British Columbia government included a proposal to make all helmets used in sports, recreation and transportation, including snowboarding and ski helmets, exempt from provincial sales taxes.
As for the issue of helmet regulations in Canada, Kinar says it will likely be up to individuals for the near future. The Olympics, and the fact that kids are being inspired to try winter sports, does create a window to increase helmet awareness as well as to create a Canadian helmet standard.
However, he believes that all mountain resorts that require employees to ski and snowboard as part of their duties should be proactive and make helmet use mandatory for their staff. The Workers Compensation Board, which pays benefits to workers injured on the job, is already looking into the issue.
"It might take a while for the general public (to wear helmets) but I can’t see a mountain operator allowing staff not to use helmets considering the risk that’s out there," said Kinar. "Whether it comes from the WCB or from the resorts themselves, it makes sense for people on the front lines, who ski and snowboard as part of their job, to wear helmets. Personally, in light of these deaths I would prefer to see the resorts take the lead on this.
"I think once you see mountain employees out there in their helmets, the public is going to notice and start thinking about getting their own helmets."
In January, the British Medical Journal released a study based on injury statistics collected from 19 Quebec ski resorts that concluded helmets can reduce the risk of head injury between 29 per cent to 56 per cent.
Currently, no communities or resorts in Canada have mandatory helmet laws for skiing and snowboarding. In Whistler, helmets are required for children in ski school, the higher level terrain park, and for most on-mountain events. In addition, all ski and snowboard rentals come with free helmets.
