Why Wear A Ski Helmet?

The good news: Technical advances in skis, boots and binding design have reduced ski-slope injuries.

The bad news: 5 to 10 percent of all serious ski injuries involve blows to the head.

While skiers were at first reluctant to jump head first on the helmet band wagon, the “celebrity head injuries,” such as the deaths of Michael Kennedy and Sunny Bono caused skiers to rethink the “brain bucket” issue. In fact, in the 1999 to 2000 ski season, 540,000 helmets were sold. One might say that these events knocked some sense into people. Nowadays, it’s more unusual to see someone without a helmet than it is to see someone wearing one.

Head injuries are most likely to occur when a tree jumps into your path and refuses to get out of your way. The same thing applies to lift towers. They just don’t have any manners. That said, a ski helmet can minimize the impact of these unplanned encounters. Just ask Stewart Levy, M.D., who surveyed 261 skiers and snowboarders that were admitted to Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Denver for brain injuries. Sadly, only 13 of the injured snow sliders were wearing helmets. However, they were the fortunate ones. They only suffered mild concussions, and eventually had full recoveries. Those who were not wearing helmets suffered severe injuries. These included cerebral contusions, subdural hematomas or comas. Four percent of those who were injured died.

If this does not convince you to wear a ski helmet, consider this: Wearing a ski helmet is the easiest way to keep your head warm on the slopes. Use your head. Play safe and wear a ski helmet.

Ski Helmet Accessories

In most cases, ski helmets do a good job at keeping your head warm and toasty. However, if you ski in exceptionally cold environments such as Mont Tremblant in Quebec, even the best helmet might not protect you from the cold. This type of situations calls for a balaclava, which is designed to fit under your ski helmet. However, depending on the fit of your helmet and the thickness of the balaclava material, this doesn’t always happen.

For example, a balaclava that has a heavy neck gaiter will make you feel as if you are being chocked by your helmet straps. The Turtle Fur Printed Micro Balaclava might be a better choice. It’s made of a polyester Polartec fabric which adds warmth without weight. Sometimes, a neck gaiter is all you need for that extra bit of warmth.

Turtle Fur is an acrylic fleece fabric that is noted for its silky feel. Sometimes, a neck gaiter that is used in conjunction with the Seirus Thermax Skull Liner is all you need to stay warm on the slopes. Thermax is known for its moisture wicking properties. Convincing your kids to wear their ski helmets can often be a formidable challenge. You can make helmet wearing fun by giving them goofy looking helmet covers.

Finally, ski racers may want to protect their winning smiles with the POC Chin Guard. This device attaches to the attaches to the POC Skull X and POC Skull Comp helmets. It features a durable 7075 aluminum construction that won't add any extra unwanted weight. The Boeri Podium Helmet has been pre-drilled to accept a jaw guard.

Selecting Ski Helmets

Once you become convinced that a ski helmet is a good idea for yourself, you will certainly want to buy one for your kids. In fact, in most children's ski schools, helmets are now mandatory. The selection process for choosing a kid's ski helmet should employ a similar strategy to the one you used when you looked for their skis and ski boots. Consider the size and shape of your child's head, and don't assume that they will grow into a helmet that was worn by an older sister or brother. While it should go without saying, but you'd be surprised, no child, under any circumstance, should wear an adult helmet.

While you always want to avoid purchasing a helmet that is too big, a helmet that is so small that it pinches, causes hot spots, headaches or pressure points is not advisable, since it can have a negative effect on your child's head growth. Kids ski helmets should have good ventilation around the ear pads. When you call them, you want them to hear you!

Anatomy of a Ski Helmet

On the outside, a ski helmet resembles a brightly colored brain bucket. Unfortunately, some skiers pick their helmets based on whether or not the color matches their ski jackets. Some go so far as to color-coordinate their skis, pants, ski boots, ski jackets and ski helmet, but let’s not go there. When it comes to choosing a ski helmet, it’s what’s inside and outside that count. “Inside” refers to your helmet components, and “outside” has to do with the construction of the outer shell. Understanding your helmet’s components can help you make decisions about what qualities you should look for in your ski helmet selection process. Are you ready? Take out your microscopes.

The “heart” of your ski helmet lies in its inner layer, which is usually composed of polyurethane foam. This foam should be treated with antibacterial agent. Some are also treated with a hypoallergenic treatment. Most ski helmet foams can be anatomically shaped to compensate for the unique variations of head shape.

The middle layer of your ski helmet has been assigned the important task of shock absorption. Without this layer, if the outer shell was hit, all you would feel is the hard plastic against your head (that sure would hurt). There are two types of middle layer helmet constructions. The construction of an in-mold helmet molds together the helmet shell with its shock-absorbing shell.

In contrast, when injection-molded ski helmets are manufactured, the foam is molded to high-impact plastic separate shell. This gives you an extra layer of protection. Injection molded helmets are somewhat heavier than in-mold helmets.

Now let’s talk about chin straps. Fortunately, in the past few years, ski helmet manufacturers now offer padded chin straps. This is a good thing, because the former straps can be rather uncomfortable. Almost all modern ski helmets come with a goggle attachment, which is why you should step away from the ski swaps when choosing a helmet. If it’s dysfunctional, it’s hardly a bargain. You can find affordable and up to date helmets on skis.com.

Ski Racing Helmets

Are you the type of skier that has a need for speed? If so, you might want to try your luck at ski racing. However, once you enter the realm of the racer, you will discover that you require racing-specific gear. Like most topics regarding ski racing, the best gear is often subject to lively debates. Just to make matters more confusing, the FIS, who is the governing body of ski racing, has specific rules about what is acceptable for ski racing helmets, racing skis, racing apparel and racing boots.

For example, let’s take a look at the FIS ruling on ski helmets. First off, crash helmets must be worn for all events. The padding of your ski racing helmet must cover your head and ears. Additionally, racing helmets must be certified by recognized agencies, and the shape of the ski racing helmet must conform to the shape of the racer’s head. Furthermore, the top surface of the ski racing helmet must not exceed the head’s diameter by more than seven centimeters. The top of the helmet must be smooth. Neither integrated nor detachable face shields are permitted by the FIS. Additionally, helmets with spoilers, or helmets with edges that stick out are forbidden.

Needless to say, wearing a hat but not wearing a helmet is unacceptable for any FIS sanctioned event. Skis.com has a great selection of ski racing helmets at great prices. Racing helmets are available for both adults and youth. However, keep in mind that jaw quards are mandatory for all high school ski racers.

Play in the fast lane, but play it safe!