New Italian regulation: Mandatory use of CE-certified ski helmets

ChrisC

ChrisC

Well-known member
I thought this was an interesting policy development—primarily helmets. I don't think they will often enforce the off-piste policy regulations - at least in the Aosta Valley.

I guess Tony will be done skiing in Italy? I cannot imagine it will be well enforced. Mountain guides often say they don't like helmets because they cannot hear clients or any snow issues.
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The main new Italian regulation for skiing is the mandatory use of CE-certified helmets for all skiers, snowboarders, and tobogganers, which took effect on November 1, 2025. Other regulations include the mandatory third-party liability insurance and a zero-tolerance policy for skiing under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with penalties including fines and ski pass suspension. Enforcement of the helmet law will be carried out by ski police, with potential fines of up to €200 and ski pass suspension for non-compliance.

Key regulations
  • Helmets:
    Starting November 1, 2025, a CE-certified helmet is mandatory for everyone on the slopes, regardless of age.
  • Third-party liability insurance:
    Since 2022, all skiers must have third-party liability insurance, which is often bundled with ski passes but should be confirmed with your insurer.
  • Skiing under the influence:
    It is illegal to ski under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, and penalties can include fines between €250 and €1,000, and potential ski pass suspension. A reading of 0.8% is considered a criminal offense.
  • Slope rules:
    All skiers must act in a way that does not endanger others and must adapt their speed and skiing to their ability and the prevailing conditions.
  • Off-piste skiing:
    Off-piste skiing is very dangerous, and anyone going off-piste must carry essential safety equipment like a tracking device, snow probe, and shovel.
Enforcement and penalties
  • Helmets:
    Ski police can issue on-the-spot fines of up to €200 and suspend ski passes for up to three days for not wearing a helmet.
  • Alcohol/Drugs:
    Slope police can perform breathalyzer tests and issue fines and ski pass suspensions for those who are over the legal limit.
What you need to do
  • Wear a CE-certified helmet at all times while on the slopes.
  • Ensure you have third-party liability insurance.
  • Avoid alcohol or drugs before skiing.
  • Bring your own helmet if you have one that meets the EU standards, as it may be more comfortable.
  • Check with your rental shop to reserve a helmet in advance, especially during peak season.
  • Consider purchasing a holiday insurance policy that includes winter sports coverage.
 
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ChrisC said:
I guess Tony will be done skiing in Italy?
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I will take the mountaineering helmet I had to buy for Antarctica and was required to use for the Level 4 off-piste group at Club Med Val Thorens in 2022.
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I really do not know how this required helmet thing is going to work:
  • Will have to look at photos, but few Italian women or men ski in helmets. It's skiing in the sun for a few hours—only in sunglasses—and then relaxing on the sundeck.
  • Guides. I do not think I have had a guide in Europe who wears a helmet.
  • Brits/UK Skiers. A lot like to wear the 'themed' party hats that are more appropriate for Mardi Gras or Halloween.
I will have to see from my photos how many people were wearing helmets on lifts/trams while skiing in Italy.
 
Tony Crocker said:
I wouldn't say it's zero in my experience but definitely a small minority.
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My guide at Andermatt 2020. He's using complete mountain guide protective gear on a very snowy but fun day: no helmet, no goggles—but sunglasses for low-light days! And a pom-pom for protection. He also guides in Italy.

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My6
 
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EMSC said:
My guides in Europe last year both were wearing Helmets.
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Yes, some of my guides have worn helmets, but definitely under 30%.

There are so many requirements surrounding avalanche equipment, but IMHO, a helmet will more often save your life/prevent catastrophic injury. I have flown/catapulted into more objects, sometimes headfirst, than I have been on any sort of slide.

I like the team at Alpine Experience in Val d'Isere. However, given their orientation towards safety and their support for avalanche talks/bulletins, I thought more would wear helmets. I asked Andreas about his helmet views after he pointed out every terrain trap.

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James' guide in Austria on the Madrisa Tour was in standard Euro-Guide gear—big hat, sunglasses (more like clear goggles).
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I think hats also serve as markers—like, who is the guide? Everyone might have a pack and a helmet on—and more often, you are looking at your guide's back, trying to identify them.


It's like Scuba: the lead divemaster/guide will often wear bright flippers or tie an iridescent decoration to their tank.
 
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