It isn't mandatory, but many skiers and riders are opting to put a lid on while they hit the slopes at Kimberley Alpine Resort.

Matt Mosteller, vice-president of marketing for Resorts of the Canadian Rockies says that even though helmets are not required for most guests of their resorts, they have noticed a steep increase in usage.

"Safety is a core commitment of ours," Mosteller says.

Children aged 12 and under that are participating in lessons with RCR are the only user group that are required to wear helmets. RCR was the first ski operator to implement such a rule, and it has so far been a major success. Mosteller says it is planting the seed early and encouraging growing skiers to strap on a helmet as they continue in the sport.

Youth are wearing helmets about 95.5 per cent of the time and adult usage has risen from 32 per cent in the early 2000s to as high as 80 per cent now. RCR has also seen an increase in staff who use helmets regularly.

"We have a higher rate than that within our own team," Mosteller says. RCR has as much as 90 per cent usage, which is crucial for young skiers learning. "It sends the right message to the youth."

Mosteller says that RCR prefers to be proactive about safety issues. They controversially removed all of their man-made jumps from their ski hills in the 2008 campaign, and have recently fenced in their learning areas to cut down on speed around novice skiers.

Mosteller says there are no statistics available about a decline in injuries since helmet use has become more common, but says RCR's ski resorts are leading the way in safety.

"People don't necessarily agree with our jump policy, but you know what? We're the safest place to ski and ride," he says.

Helmet use on ski resorts continues to be up to the user, and Mosteller doesn't believe there is any movement within the ski resort community to change that. Mosteller says it should remain up to the user, however RCR does its best to educate skiers and adhere to the Skiing Code of Conduct.

"We still think that helmet usage should be a personal choice," he says.

There are other ways skiers and riders can stay safe. Mosteller says they've seen chest and back protectors, wrist guards and more appearing on their guests. He urges ski hill enthusiasts to get informed about safety before getting on a snowboard or pair of skis.

"The most important thing is that we urge people to educate themselves."

The Canadian Medical Association Journal has recently reported that standard ski and snowboard helmets do not protect as much as they should. According to the CMAJ, modern helmets being sold in Canada are not meeting the specifications set out by the Canadian Standards Association.

"The fact is that, to protect their noggins, Canadian skiers and snowboarders might as well be using a toque as some of the helmets being sold," Barbara Sibbald, deputy editor, analysis and humanities for the CMAJ states in her report.

On Dec. 15, 2011, Nova Scotia passed legislation that requires all skiers and snowboarders to wear helmets. That means children and adults. The CMAJ lauded the legislation, saying it may be the world's toughest action promoting helmet use, but said the quality of helmets need to drastically improve.

According to the CMAJ, head injuries account for 9 per cent to 19 per cent of all injuries sustained in winter sports. Last year in Canada there were 135 serious head injuries sustained by skiers and snowboarders.