COLORADO COLLEEN: Vail Puts a Lid on It

Nobody really likes being told what to do, and I'm not sure we can legislate common sense, yet I tip my hat--or my ski helmet--to Vail Resorts for requiring employees to wear helmets while skiing or riding on the job. The new rule will go into effect for the 2009-2010 season. All five Vail resorts--four in Colorado and one in California--also will require helmets for ski school students under age 12. Helmets will be part of the rental package for kids.

Last month, I blogged about a dramatic spill I took on an expert run the same day that Natasha Richardson fell on the bunny slope. She later died, tragically, but her death gave rise to more debate about ski helmets.

Vail leads the ski industry on so many levels; I'm glad they stepped up on this issue. Things happen so fast on the slopes. Better safe than sorry.

Please read my earlier post about ski helmets.

And if you ski or ride and don't already have one, invest in a good helmet.

IN MEMORIAM: Rest In Peace Natasha Richardson

Just learned that Natasha Richardson passed over today. Seems such an unfair loss of a lovely, talented, involved woman: wife, mother, daughter, sister, Tony-winning actress. Utter devastation for her family. Too tragic for words.

I do hope her high-profile, tragic tale will initiate more conversations about the benefits of wearing ski helmets. Since I published the post above, I have read that head injuries are decreasing due to increased use of ski helmets; but one claim stated that neck injuries are up for people wearing ski helmets.

Imposing laws demanding skiers wear helmets seems too extreme, but I do hope downhillers who do not don a helmet will reconsider this important piece of equipment.

Does anybody out there know symptoms to watch for after a fall?