I took a tumble last week while skiing, and bumped my head. That got me thinking about getting a helmet for next time. What should I look for in a helmet? Are they all the same, or are we only paying for different designs and colours?
 
Clint

Good question Clint. I had a spectacular tumble (a 10.0 according to the judges ) and smacked my head very hard. I’m now seriously considering buying a helmet, but there are so many to choose from and the price range is vast. Any advice anybody?

There are many questions being raised re helmets. Wendy also started a forum on the subject (see mid march ) and it appears there is room for quite an in-depth investigation into safety, cost, longivity etc of helmets. How about a section in the next book Wendy ??

Interesting point Scully. I wasn’t sure how much response we’d receive on the subject, but there is certainly some interesting feedback out there. As for advice on buying…  I’d say that prices are very much dependant on brand etc, but that you also pay more for a lighter helmet. Prices do vary from £50-£100 - but I reckon all do the job nicely on-piste - I wouldn’t pay £100, when I could get a decent one at £70; but then nor would I necessarily trust one at £20 from a certain cheaper supermarket(though it still meets the safety specs etc and looks pretty good). That’s personal preference though. And you might want a sturdier version if you do a lot of off-piste. But the most important factor is FIT. And that’s where mine isn’t so good - my head/hair seems to have shrunk since I bought it and it moves just a little too freely backwards on the crown at times! So, do try loads on and get the one that A) fits best b) is comfortable all round . I chose my Salomon based on weight, soft ear pieces and the good venting system. I really didn’t want one that prevented me from hearing anything! It felt a bit strange to wear at first, but I feel very vulnerable without it now. It perhaps isn’t the best choice for someone who’s off-piste most of the time - in that case, something like the Dainese might suit (more solid feel, heavier).

Thanks Wendy,  I think a trip to my nearest ski shop is in order, so for your average blue and occasional red skiier like me, a snug fitting, light weight helmet is the best, what sort of safety specs should we look for?

Editor Watts and I will consider whether we should commission a short feature for the next edition (out end of August) summarising the current evidence on choice of helmet. At least one study has concluded that there is no correlation between cost and quality, so may be the £20 job would do, Wendy!
 
Chris
 

Thanks for all the advice, I went to Snow and Rock and tried a few on, it seems the more brightly coloured, the more expensive they become. It’s interesting to know that more expensive might not necessarily be better.
 
Clint

I also took a tumble while skiing in Northstar (lake Tahoe) and my head hurt for a few days. Since then I have bought 3 helmets to try and get one that fits well, comfortable and googles fit well. Best to match googles to helmet! Also some have a wheel at the back so you can get a snug fit. Since buying one I have had some big falls (on half-pipes, kickers etc) and even had a button lift hit the back of the head. Also off piste it has to be worth it.
 
So I suggest that take the googles along and try them all out. Worth spending a bit on a good one.

Good plan Esrio. My first pair of goggles didn’t fit too well with my helmet - the lack of adjustment was the problem, so they were too tight and pushed the helmet back on my head.
 
So, are you saying you’ve had more falls since buying a helmet? ie are you taking more risks do you think?
 
W

Hi Wendy,
 
I am a bit of a nervous skier but I am doing more off piste and jumps but the odd thing is that I seem OK when ready to go down a steep. In Zermatt I managed to ski off piste but found hidden rocks on four occasions but somehow stayed on the skis.
 
Falls seem to come now when I am not concentrating and I hit a piece of ice that looked like snow, or someone clips my skis!
 
By the way, probably best to get a helmet with a CE mark showing quality?
 
I skied last season in Aspen with a record low of -27C (-35 with chill factor) but my helmet was brilliant at keeping me warm. Just a pain on the warm sunny days.
 
There is no way I would ski now without a helmet.
 
Jay
 

Hi Wendy & Co.,
          I have just bought 2 helmets (Dainese) for my younger kids for 35e each in a quite expensive shop in Dublin.Last years colours but so long as they do the job thats the main thing.My second eldest was in ski-school in Rauris last year and nearly had his head sliced open!! standing in line as he slipped and was lying in the snow laughing when another kid slipped beside him and hit him in the head with the tip of the ski,if he had caught him with the edge it would have been very serious.Needless to say this frightened the life out of his instructor and myself when he told me and I realised how easy it is to be injured even without a crash!! I measured all the kids heads for fitting this year and have ordered one online through ebay buy-it-now "Blizzard Race" for 43e total including postage but Never again will I go to the snow unprotected, it’s akin to driving without a seat-belt in my opinion.
        On that cheerful note,talk to you soon,
 
                  briand6868

It’s the law for under 14s in Austria now, and it seems a sensible thing to do.  But isn’t it a bit hot, wearing a helmet?  I am sure I can cope with last season’s colours if it means paying less, no-one is going to confuse me and Kate Moss.  But isn’t it a bit hot and sweaty, wearing a helmet?  I can easily take my hat off for some fresh air, but a helmet looks like a lot more trouble.

I thought it might be too hot when I bought my helmet - but I have to say that it really isn’t that bad. In fact, on a couple of occasions it has been colder and I’ve had to tuck my buff up around it.
 
There are vent holes on mine, with "shutters" so you can close them in colder weather.
 
Helmet styles vary - so you might prefer the lighter, more breathable option (mine is like that - a Salomon) You can take your helmet off just as simply if you wish too - unclip and attach to a rucksack!
 
Go for it - I don’t think you’ll regret it, and you can always wear your favourite beanie in the evenings!

There’s no denying that a helmet is less pleasant in warm weather than a hat that you can remove. As Wendy suggests, I rate adjustable vents essential. Mine has vents all over the place.
 
Another thing to be said is that unless helmet wearing is mandatory, it is a question of probability. If you ski 20 days and wear a helmet on 15 of them when you can bear it, you are cutting the risk of injury a bit on those days. Nothing you can do will remove the risk altogether. So it’s perfectly rational to use a helmet when it doesn’t make life unbearable.
 
This winter, with snowy weather predominating throughout, I have worn mine every day. Other winters, I’ll go to a headband when it’s really warm.
 
Chris

i personally do not wish to wear a helmet, i like to feel the mountain air on my face, i bet there have been more broken arms and legs than serious head injuries, i dont blame people for wanting to wear a helmet, but it may give you a false sense of security,and if your really worried about getting injured why not wear arm protectors and even cricket pads for your legs, i like the freedom of the mountains,like most people i have had my share of broken bones and scary falls, skiing can be a dangerous sport, and if your frightened of being injured then maybe its not the sport for you.

Hi to all! Unfortunatelly an injury at the head can’t be compared with a broken hand or leg.
It might kill you. Even if it seems minor…
It’s not a matter of fear, it’s a matter of precaution.
The air on the face is a great feeling when you’re riding a motorcycle also. Wouldn’t you wear a helmet?