FAYETTEVILLE -- It's always a hot topic on ski slopes: should skiers and snowboarders be forced to wear helmets?
At Four Seasons Golf and Ski Center in Fayetteville -- we found opinions on both side of the issue.
Stevi Wilson, a mother of two, said wearing a helmet is not an option in her household.
"They know if they don't wear a helmet they don't ski. I'm afraid they're going to get hurt and I think it's important to protect their head, especially while they skiing," she said.
Meanwhile, the younger generation feels differently. Chittenango High School student Bill Buck doesn't wear a helmet -- even though he told me his mother wishes he would.
And right now -- that's okay. New York State does not have a law on the books requiring you to wear a helmet. However, a downstate lawmaker is looking to change that, and penalize ski operators who don't enforce it.
Four Seasons owner John Goodfellow has been in the business for 40 years. He said a helmet law is long overdue, but said any penalty for not wearing a helmet should be placed on the individual, not a ski resort.
"We don't want to be policemen," he said. "We've got enough to do running this ski area without worrying about helmets being on every person. But we are proactive and (helmets) are included in every package we give out."
Goodfellow admits Four Seasons isn't exactly the most difficult hill to navigate, but said crashing into tree on his slope is the same as crashing into a tree anywhere else. He said much of this debate comes down to personal responsibility, stressing skiing within your ability is key. Goodfellow said if a law is passed -- he'd like it to mimic helmet laws current in place for bicyclists.
We want you to join the debate? Should lawmakers pass legislation to require us to wear helmets, or should it be a personal decision? Post your thoughts below.
