Wearing a ski helmet while skiing or snowboarding is not compulsory in all winter sports countries. Fortunately, almost everyone goes on the slopes with a helmet these days. However, there are still some that refuse to do so. Silly, as you can prevent head injuries with it! In which countries is a ski helmet compulsory, and to whom does the rule apply? In this article, you will find an overview of the rules per winter sports country.
Wearing a ski helmet: rules per country
Wearing a ski helmet is not compulsory in all winter sports countries. Every year, many discussions flare up about whether or not wearing a ski helmet should be obligatory. For example, after a severe accident with injuries. Below you can read about the rules regarding wearing a helmet per winter sports country:
- Austria: a ski helmet is compulsory for children up to 15 years in all federal states except Tyrol and Vorarlberg. If you go to these states without a helmet, the ski school may require it anyway. There is no ski helmet requirement for adults, but it is strongly recommended.
- Italy: a ski helmet is compulsory for children up to 18 years. Those not wearing a helmet risk a fine of €100 to €150.
- Germany: no helmet requirement, but the German Ski Association and German Ski Instructor Association recommend always wearing a ski helmet.
- Switzerland: no helmet requirement, but research has shown that the percentage of helmet wearers is highest here.
- France: a ski helmet is not compulsory. Wearing a helmet is recommended.
- Poland:a ski helmet is compulsory for children up to 16 years of age. Not wearing a helmet can result in the confiscation of a ski pass and a fine.
- Slovakia: a ski helmet is compulsory for children up to the age of 15
- Slovenia and Croatia:a ski helmet is compulsory for children up to 14 years. Not wearing a helmet can result in a fine.
- Spain and Andorra: a ski helmet is not compulsory but strongly recommended. Are you going off-piste? Then you must wear a helmet.
- Norway: a ski helmet is not compulsory, but safe skiing is considered extremely important. Children can often hire a ski helmet for free, sometimes even with a free ski pass.
- Sweden: a helmet is not obligatory, but children are turned away at some lifts without helmets.
- Canada and the USA: a helmet is not compulsory.
Discussions on ski helmets: should they be obligatory?
As you can read above, wearing a ski helmet is not (yet) compulsory by law in all winter sports countries. However, discussions have been going on for years. In Austria, for example, federal states are allowed to set the rules themselves. Wearing a ski helmet is compulsory for children up to 15 years of age everywhere except in Vorarlberg and Tyrol. In no winter sports country is wearing a helmet mandatory for adults. Quite crazy, actually, as since the introduction of the ski helmet, the number of accidents with serious head injuries has been significantly reduced. Moreover, a ski helmet is also incredibly comfortable. The strap of your goggles doesn't pinch your head, it is nice and warm and not too hot thanks to ventilation. These days, you are more likely to be looked at strangely if you ski without a helmet than with one!
About Nina Jan
I grew up in Slovenia, close to the Julian Alps. Early on, my parents put me on skis and skates, and the winter sports enthusiasm hasn't left me since. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and have been a keen snowboarder for the past 20 years.