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Helmet usage now at 92.3% in Australian snowsports

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”.

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ASAA Statement
Moving right along

As we all now know, COVID-19 severely impacted all Australian ski resort operations this past winter, with some resorts being more affected than others. NSW resorts operating at reduced capacity and managed to continue operations until at, or close to, the scheduled close of the 2020 snow season. Victoria’s alpine resorts were deeply impacted by the stage 3 and stage 4 restrictions introduced across Victoria during the winter season, with only limited operations at best.

ASAA Statement
2020 Season

COVID-19 has severely impacted all Australian ski resort operations this winter, with some resorts being more affected than others. NSW resorts are operating at reduced capacity and hope to continue operations until the scheduled close of the 2020 snow season, while in Victoria all alpine resorts have ceased operations due to stage 3 and stage 4 restrictions being introduced across Victoria.

ASAA Statement
2020 Season

Australia’s alpine resorts welcome the recent Victorian and NSW government announcements giving a green light for the Victorian and NSW alpine resorts to be able to open for skiing and boarding from 22 June, 2020. This gives renewed optimism and certainty for the local communities and the 23,000 jobs that rely on alpine tourism, much of that located in regional Victoria and NSW.

ASAA Statement
Covid-19

The ski industry remains hopeful that the 2020 ski season will proceed in one form or another. The ski season will only proceed with the blessing of governments and health authorities, and the industry will not in any way pre-empt what the decisions of government and the health authorities may be.