Yes. Since 1st November 2025 it is mandatory for everyone to wear a certified helmet when going down the mountain on ski, snowboard or sledge. In this article we explain in more detail what is required, what else you will need to carry with you on the slopes and how the requirements in Italy compare with those in France and Austria.
Who The Helmet Rule Covers
The law applies to all ages, it’s not just children anymore. Also, the rule applies to people who are skiing, snowboarding or even sledding on marked slopes. So, even casual sledders will have to abide by this rule on Italian slopes this winter. That means every single member of your family will have to wear a helmet on the slopes, including adults.
What Counts As A Compliant Helmet
No, not all ski helmets are allowed. According to Italian law only CE-certified ski helmets are allowed on the slopes. This means that a helmet for mountain biking or an old pair of ski helmets are not allowed. Check the helmet for the CE-mark on the back of the helmet. This must say that it complies with the safety requirements for winter sports.
Fines For Not Wearing One
Failure to comply with the terms of the new law and ski without a safety helmet can result in a fine up to EUR 200. Additionally the holder of the lift pass can be banned from the slopes for up to three days. Enforcing the law to stay safe on the slopes are mountain police and piste staff, especially on busier slopes.
Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance
In addition to the requirement to wear a helmet Italy requires all skiers to hold third-party liability insurance when skiing on-piste. This insurance is designed to cover the costs of any damage or injury that you cause to other people on the slopes. We give you some general safety information to help you stay safe on the slopes in Italy. Specially, we explain the additional requirements that apply to skiers in Italy in comparison to the requirements that apply in the UK. For full information on how to stay safe on the slopes while on holiday in Italy please click here to read the government’s advice for visitors to Italy.
Buying Insurance With Your Lift Pass
Most resorts include third party insurance as an additional charge on top of the cost of a lift pass. This can usually be purchased as part of the ticket at the ticket office or online when you book your passes in advance. Some resorts include the insurance in the cost of the lift pass, but this is usually stated clearly on the resort’s web site, and at the ticket office before you buy your passes.
Does Your UK Travel Insurance Cover This
Most UK travel insurance policies do not include third party liability on the slopes, which means that even if you are covered for your own medical repatriation, you may not be covered for damage or injury you cause to others on the slopes. It is also worth checking to see if your policy would include you for any claim if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. As RoSPA winter sports safety guidance notes, there is a link between helmet use and how a claim would be dealt with by an insurer in the event of an accident on the slopes.
Other Slope Rules Worth Knowing
Other important rules for your safety while on Italian slopes: It is against the law to eat or drink on the chairlifts or on the gondolas. It is against the law to ski under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Mountain police are patrolling the slopes and if they suspect someone of being under the influence, they can stop them from skiing.
How Italy Compares With France And Austria
As noted above, the laws as regards wearing helmets for skiing in France and Austria currently do not have the same blanket all ages application as that recently introduced in Italy. In France skiers are strongly recommended to wear helmets especially children but there is no current compulsory legislation to require adults to wear them. In Austria various regions have different rules with some mandating children to wear helmets on the slopes but no universal compulsory legislation for adults to wear helmets. Travellers spending time on the slopes in more than one country would thus do well to check the specific rules in place for each country for which they will be skiing.
FAQ
Helmets are compulsory for adults in Italy as well as for children from 1 November 2025.
How much will you be fined for this transgression? Up to EUR 200, and you may also have your lift pass suspended for up to three days.
Do I need Third Party Liability Insurance in Italy? Yes, it is compulsory and you can buy it as an add-on to your lift pass.
Will my UK travel policy cover me for Third Party Liability on the slopes? The policy must specifically include Third Party Liability on the slopes and often they also require the policyholder to wear a helmet in order to claim in the event of an accident.
No eating/drinking on chairlifts/gondolas and ski slopes. No skiing under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
