Nova Scotia Ski Hill Operators Want Helmets Made a Priority
In the wake of the tragic death of Natasha Richardson, the famed Broadway and movie star (and wife of Irish actor Liam Neeson), Nova Scotia ski hill operators would like to see helmets mandatory on all skiers and snowboarders. In fact Ski Martock in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, was the first skill hill in the country to make helmet mandatory for any person under the age of 18. On Martock, a ski helmet has become as common an accessory as as goggles and gloves.
The unfortunate accident of the acclaimed actress on Quebec’s Mont Tremblanc hill was unusual in its severity of impact./ She was skiing on the “bunny” hill, an area for novice skiers and her fall was not considered a great impact. Nonetheless, it caused a blood vessel to rupture in her brain causing death days later.
With improvements in ski accessories over the years most injuries on a ski hill are sprains and bruises. The broken leg, although not a unknown accidental injury, is not as common as it was in the 1960′s and 1970′s when boots and ski releases were not as technologically adept as they are now. A snowboarder would have bruises or a sprained wrist rather than a broken leg because the hand would reach out first when a crash is about to happen.
For all those who want to ski in Nova Scotia, know your limits. In Canada, this has been a bad years for Canadian ski hills due to avalanches and falls so plan to have the best protective gear that is available. Ski rental operations have this on hand so check with the ski shop and see if you’re fitted out properly.
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