Helmet law begins for young N.J. skiers

As a new helmet law takes effect this season on New Jersey slopes, skiers and ski resorts are taking note.

The law requires skiers who 17 and younger to wear a helmet.

More than 90 percent of kids who are 9 or younger wear a helmet, according to Bull Benneyan of Mountain Creek and Crystal Springs Resort in Vernon, N.J. He said about 80 percent of those 14 or younger do.

“Nationally, the incidence of using ski helmets voluntarily has risen dramatically over the last 10 years due to the efforts of the industry, helmet manufacturers, parents groups, school groups and the resorts themselves,” he said.

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Benneyan said watching professionals wearing helmets and the variety of helmet styles have made it mainstream.

Enforcement will be mostly up to parents, he said, since they’re the ones who could be fined under the law.

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