1998 Rental Helmet Roundup

Just a few years ago, you could count the number of helmet distributors on one hand. That’s changed: With over 20 companies in the helmet business now, there’s certainly plenty of product to choose from, and many companies are offering incentives in their rental demo programs to encourage areas to sign on and offer helmets.

In the past, there has been reluctance on the part of ski areas to buy helmets for rental programs but now, with increased demand for helmets from skiers and snowboarders, there’s a new awareness and desire to get involved. “I’ve seen an attitude shift,” says John Jacobs, marketing director of Reliable Racing Supply (distributor of Jofa helmets), who said that, because of the Bono and Kennedy deaths, there’s been more demand from all skiers—not just the racing crowd and the discriminating skier.