Now the ski Helmet is a necessity.  To prevent serious injury, ski helmets’ when fitted properly can literally be a life saver.  Plus, so many ski resorts and ski hills are making it mandatory due to the injuries received in the last few years. With the many cool styles and colors available along with a wide price range, there really is “no excuse” not to wear a ski helmet.

There are many things to consider when being fitted for a ski helmet.  There are some helmets which have superior quality and features giving more protection.  Consider how you will be skiing, will you be snowboarding? Are you a novice?  Injury can occur no matter the speed you’re travelling so choosing which one is right for you is mandatory.

Features to consider when choosing your ski helmet:

•  Personalized fit
• Lightweight
• Excellent head protection
• Comfort
• Adjustable ventilation
• Fashionably cool looking
• Affordable price
• Adjustable lines and sweat band
• Size
• Upgrade features for goggles
• Adjustable ear flaps

A well-fitted helmet will make your day a “great day”. Your helmet should be:

• Snug but not tight
• Should protect your head when you fall backwards.

Wearing a helmet for a few minutes will certainly let you know that it is the one for you.  With so many helmets on the market you have a wide range to choose from for optimal protection.

There are some helmets which have superior quality and features giving more protection, but consider how you will be skiing or snowboarding. There are many makes and models to choose from and consider so doing some research on your part is advisable.

Most winter sports that involve speed such as skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and even cross country skiing involve a potential to receiving head injuries. Any falls when reaching speeds of 35 to 45 KPH create an impact that will most certainly result in a serious injury. Ski helmets will help to prevent these serious injuries from happening. So what are you going to be doing in order to protect yourself this winter?

What Should I Look for in a Helmet?

The first question is to ask who should be wearing a ski helmet. Take a look at any sport professionals and if they are wearing a helmet, then you should be wearing one to. This applies to both children and to adults.

• The first thing to look for when buying a helmet is to look for some sort of a label that indicates that the helmet has been certified by a safety standard. In the USA it is the ASTM (Americam Standard), in Canada it is the CSA (Canadian Standard), in Europe the CE (European safety seal). These labels will let you know that the helmet has been approved for safety.
• It is imperative that you make sure you get the proper helmet for the proper sport. Bike, hockey and skiing (snowboarding) helmet are specifically designed for each sport and should not be intermixed. When you are either skiing or snowboarding you are going fast and the helmet you purcased has to withstand a greater impact. In addition the helmet used in skiing or snowboarding covers more of the back of the head since most accidents involve backward falls.
• Avoid buying any helmet that does not have any certification.
• Since all helmets have a certification and they meet the same standards, they will provide you with the protection you need whether they are fancy or not.

Make sure the Helmet Fits

Whatever type of helmet you purchase make sure that it is a proper fit. Most ski helmets come in three sizes with fillers for the in-between heads.

• For a child, do not buy a large one think he/she will grow into it.
• Make sure that the helmet fits snugly and when the chin strap is tightened you can only fit one finger between the strap and the chin. When you shake the head back and forth sideways or up and down there should be no movement in the helmet. (see video on other page)
• Make sure if you are wearing goggles that they fit properly on the helmet.

Do you Need to Replace a Helmet?

• Some of the helmets are only meant to withstand a single accident. You should check the manufacturers instructions to see if yours is a multiple or single impact helmet.
• Also check the manufactures instruction to see if the helmet has a life span. Depending on the materials used in the manufacturing process, some will tend to deteriorate over time with exposure to weather temperature and UV rays.
• Whatever you do, do not buy a second hand helmet. You will have no idea if it has ever been in a crash before.

Looking for a Ski Helmet? Check out these Cheap Ski Helmets.

More Information on Head Injuries and Helmets.

Helmets Saves Lives, Injury Free Zone, safety games and videos for kids.

Accidents will still happen and the head is probably the most significant part of the body when it comes to falling or getting hit. Helmets do offer some sort of protection and can reduce the likelihood of serious injury in most cases but not all.

Equipment today has got very technical allowing the person to stretch the limits of their abilities. What I am saying is that it gives them a false sense of security. If you are wearing a helmet it doesn’t mean that you have to take chances that you wouldn’t normally have taken.

Today people are still getting injured and in some cases getting killed even though they are wearing a helmet. I was reading a recent article which echo’s what I am trying to say. This article from The Boston Globe examines recent events and deaths that have happened to people who were wearing helmets.

The Quebec resort when Natasha fell has just recently issued a press release stating that they will require all skiers at the resort to wear a helmet. As I understand it, the owners of the resort in Quebec also own several other resorts through out Canada and the Western United States. All of these resorts will be making the wearing of helmets mandatory.

And this is just a start. With the Olympics just about to start in Vancouver there is a movement afoot to make the wearing a helmets in BC mandatory.

Soon the cry will be going out to all ski and snowboarding resorts around the world to make the wearing of helmets mandatory.

Why does it take a fatality for people to start creating regulations? Helmets have been worn for several years now particularly by the ski racers, freestyle skiers and now the snowboarders.

Natasha wasn’t the first person to die of head injuries nor will she be the last. As long at the wearing of  ski helmets is voluntary will always have those macho and cool people that refuse to wear helmets.

It seems to me that the younger generation is more apt to put helmets on whereas the older generation tends to be a little reluctant.  The mindset seems to be that “I have been skiing without a helmet since I started and nothing has happened to me, so why should I start now?” This is precisely the person that will end up falling and possibly hurting themselves.

Fortunately the latest helmets are fashionable and people are starting to wear them. Not only that, the new breed of ski and snowboard helmets, come with audio capabilities, so you can listen to music while whooshing down the hill.

It will be interesting to see how many people will be wearing helmets this coming season.

1. If you want your child to wear a ski helmet then you should also wear a ski helmet – Lead by example, your child looks up to you.
2. Always point out to your child who is wearing a helmet. It could be a professional athlete, it could be others on the hill, or it could be one or all of their friends. Make sure they know the importance of wearing one.
3. When buying a ski helmet, make sure you buy one that they like. Let them pick it out for themselves, no one likes to be told what they want, least of which is kids. If they want one that is colorful let them get it. Remember if they do not like the helmet, they will not want to wear it.
4. Make sure that the ski helmet you buy is light, comfortable and fits properly. Nothing is worse that a helmet that does not fit.
5. The most important thing is to make sure it is their decision and if they want to decorate it as they see fit then let them do it even if you do not care for it. They will wear what they like and what they have created.