Skiers Choose Safety Over Vanity
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (CBS) - Skiers and snowboarders have more accessories to choose from these days. One of the most important ones could save a life.
Accidents on the slopes are convincing more and more people that helmets are essential equipment.
Craniologie in Breckenridge doesn't sell anything but helmets.
"I don't know that people would have accepted this store as much four years ago," said a Craniologie employee.
Right now, helmet sales are one of the fastest growing sectors of the ski industry. Nearly 60 percent of people on the slopes are wearing a helmet.
"Helmets started off kind of being a trendy thing for a while, but now people are realizing that they're more of a safety feature; that they need to wear on the mountain," a Craniologie employee said.
Resorts are following the trend. Vail Resorts now requires all employees and all minors in ski school to wear a helmet.
One skier said it's a must for her.
"There's been a couple of times when I've forgotten my helmet and I've rented it in those times because I don't feel quite as safe on the mountain," said Skier Brittnay Abel.
Helmet advocates say that the best reason to wear a helmet is to protect yourself from other skiers.
The number of skiers and boarders using helmets rose 19 percent last year alone.
