Buckle up if you’re planning to ski the Dolomites, or risk getting fined—or worse.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Published December 19, 2025 11:16AM
Starting this season, visitors to Italy’s ski resorts better not forget their head protection. A law passed by the government that took effect in November makes wearing a CE-certified helmet mandatory for all skiers, no matter their age or ski ability.
Up until now, Italy, like pretty much every ski destination on the planet, has left helmet use to the discretion of the individual, except for minor ski school participants in certain locations. This marks the first major ski destination requiring adults to don helmets—Nova Scotia’s ski areas mandate helmets for everyone, but skiing is not a huge draw there—and it’s bound to ruffle some feathers. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to 200 Euros (around $225) and, in the case of repeat offenders, suspension of their ski pass.
Heading to the Dolomites? Wear a helmet or risk getting fined. (Photo: Getty Images)
For the vast majority of us, this news is no big deal. Most skiers have adopted helmets over the last 20 years. In addition to adding a good measure of protection—a recent study found that helmets have reduced the rate of minor concussions by 70 percent—they’re warm, comfortable, and, to be honest, we’d feel naked without one on. And in Europe, where mandating decisions around personal safety is less controversial—Italy also requires that skiers purchase liability insurance—this could be seen as simply overdue, like a seatbelt law.
That said, the new rule has stirred some debate. Some people just don’t like being told what to do, even if it’s in their own best interests. After all, not wearing a helmet isn’t likely to impact anyone but the non-wearer, and opponents say that a government forcing it feels heavy handed.
Could This Happen in the U.S.?
Unlikely. At least in the near future. Helmet use is left up to state laws and personal choice, with national safety organizations like the National Ski Areas Association strongly encouraging, but not requiring their use.
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There are states that have implemented helmet requirements for children, including New Jersey, where all kids under the age of 18 have to protect their noggin while skiing. In 2009, Vail Resorts made helmets mandatory for kids in their ski school programs, and began including them in the rental packages. Vail also requires employees to wear helmets while on duty. And there’s currently a bill in the New York Senate advocating to make ski helmets a requirement for minors under 18 at all of the state’s ski areas.
But keeping kids safe is a far cry from imposing one’s will on adults—something most ‘Muricans don’t look kindly upon. It’s similar to the chairlift safety bar situation: We know it’s in our best interests, but we don’t like to be told what to do. Thankfully, helmets are less of a sticking point for most reasonable skiers, so the odds are good that we’ll continue to see helmet use increase, especially among those new to the sport, without having to make it official.