ASAA - Australian Ski Areas Association

Latest News

The Australian Ski Areas Association (ASAA), the peak body representing Australia’s ski lifting and resort companies, is pleased to announce that helmet usage in snowsports in the Australian skifields has reached an all-time high of 92.3%.

In a comprehensive survey conducted in July 2023 across every Australian ski resort, with more than 29,000 snowsports participants counted while riding key ski lifts at each resort, a helmet usage rate of 92.3% was recorded, up from 86.0% in 2021. This reflects the highest level of helmet usage recorded in Australia’s resorts since survey data first began to be compiled. The 2023 result is consistent with the continuing upward trend in helmet usage since surveying commenced in 2013, with only 57.4% recorded in that year.

The ASAA Chief Executive Officer, Colin Hackworth said, “The increase in helmet usage is reflective of a long-term, concerted public education campaign by all Australian ski resorts, where helmet usage is encouraged and recommended. The ASAA Alpine Responsibility Code now specifically recommends the use of helmets in saying:

“Use appropriate protective equipment, especially helmets, to minimise the risk of injury”.

The members of the Australian Ski Areas Association are the owners and operators of the Australian ski fields. These businesses have formed an association to develop and publish policies.

The key matters of interest to the association are as follows:

Visitor safety in the alpine environment;
Administration of appropriate standards of instruction in snow sports (in conjunction with the Australian Professional Snowsports Instructors Association);
Occupational health and safety for employees and contractors, particularly in relation to the development of safety standards in the use of aerial and surface ropeway transport (ski lifts);
Development of standards applicable to the appropriate provision of aerial and surface ropeway transport so as to reduce potential hazards to users of the services provided by members;
Ensuring that appropriate environmental policies are developed for minimising the impact of provision of snow tourism services;
Ensuring that economic significance of snow tourism in Australia in terms of jobs, capital investment, and annual return is understood by the government and private sectors;
Acting as an industry spokesperson for matters relating to alpine tourism and snow sport.