Helmets?

SheikYerbouti · Jan 11, 2006, 10:00 AM

Hi,
New to the forum, and born again skier. I moved to Dedham, MA from Chicago, and wanted to try some skiing for the first time in about 6-7 years. I went up to Loon, and had a blast, but I did notice something, about 70% of the folks were wearing helmets. I don't remember people wearing helmets back a few years. I've skied in Wisco (Alpine Valley and a place outside of Madison) and had the luck to ski at Alta, UT a few times. I just don't remember the majority of people wearing helmets.
When did this start?

Thanks. And I wonder if anyone had any advice on where I could find a good ski shop in my area, I am skiing on some K2 UVX with Marker M48 bindings (about 1989ish).

- SY

**Greg** · Jan 11, 2006, 10:08 AM

Welcome, SheikYerbouti (great handle), but do you know the can of worms you just opened up? Do a search on helmets and you'll find plenty of threads (and differing opinions) on this one. I started wearing a Giro 9 last season and slapping it on is now part of the routine when getting ready. Took only a few runs to get used to it. My feeling is it can't hurt to wear one and I want to be a good example for my daughter next season when I start her in ski school...

SheikYerbouti · Jan 11, 2006, 10:15 AM

Good deal, I always wear a helmet when I ride my Trek, so why not when I ski. I fall a heck of alot more skiing. Thanks for the welcome.

hammer · Jan 11, 2006, 10:20 AM

You'll find that a lot of people (including myself) have Giro 9s here, so I guess that would be the most-recommended model.

In any case, I'd suggest that any helmet you get has vents (the Giro 9s have removable vent plugs). You'ld be surprised how toasty it can get under that helmet...

SheikYerbouti · Jan 11, 2006, 10:22 AM

Not at all, I have a Giro cycling helmet and it's mostly vents with some plastic and foam. :P I get very warm, so more vents is a bonus. Thanks again.

**JimG.** · Jan 11, 2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheikYerbouti

I just don't remember the majority of people wearing helmets.
When did this start?
- SY

The upswing in helmet use came about the time Sonny Bono killed himself skiing into a tree which was about the same time that Kennedy kid killed himself playing drunken ski football on the slopes at Aspen.

Used to be you saw helmets mostly on BC skiers and some kids. After that time, every kid had a helmet on and most adults too.

**Greg** · Jan 11, 2006, 10:25 AM

The Giro G10 looks like a nice upgrade to the 9. Anyone have one? I think increased helmet use can also be attributed to the popularity of skiing the trees. A few years back, it was unlikely to see a glade marked on a ski areas trail map...

skibum1321 · Jan 11, 2006, 10:57 AM

I started wearing one about 5 years ago. Now I wouldn't ski without one. I've always had the Giro 9 and I love it. It's lightweight, warm and protects my dome. My friends always made fun of me because they thought it looks like a bike helmet, but that's probably where the inspiration came from. I'd rather wear a bike helmet than one of those bulky Boeri things.

And I wear it because I ski a lot of trees. Even if I don't crash it protects me from all those low limbs and branches.

**bvibert** · Jan 11, 2006, 11:34 AM

If you're looking to buy a helmet I would suggest going to the store and trying on several different makes and models. Since different people have differently shaped heads some helmets will fit better than others...

Paul · Jan 11, 2006, 11:44 AM

Yes, I do.

...and I like Frank too.

View Poll Results: Do you wear a helmet when you ski?
Yes	19	86.36%
No	2	9.09%
Sometimes	1	4.55%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

Jan 11, 2006, 10:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
SheikYerbouti Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5	Helmets? Hi, New to the forum, and born again skier. I moved to Dedham, MA from Chicago, and wanted to try some skiing for the first time in about 6-7 years. I went up to Loon, and had a blast, but I did notice something, about 70% of the folks were wearing helmets. I don't remember people wearing helmets back a few years. I've skied in Wisco (Alpine Valley and a place outside of Madison) and had the luck to ski at Alta, UT a few times. I just don't remember the majority of people wearing helmets. When did this start? Thanks. And I wonder if anyone had any advice on where I could find a good ski shop in my area, I am skiing on some K2 UVX with Marker M48 bindings (about 1989ish). - SY

Jan 11, 2006, 10:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Greg Nassahegan, CT: 9/20 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Thomaston, CT Posts: 21,142	Welcome, SheikYerbouti (great handle), but do you know the can of worms you just opened up? Do a search on helmets and you'll find plenty of threads (and differing opinions) on this one. I started wearing a Giro 9 last season and slapping it on is now part of the routine when getting ready. Took only a few runs to get used to it. My feeling is it can't hurt to wear one and I want to be a good example for my daughter next season when I start her in ski school... __________________ Greg 2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05 Life's too short for warm up runs.

Jan 11, 2006, 10:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
Greg Nassahegan, CT: 9/20 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Thomaston, CT Posts: 21,142	The Giro G10 looks like a nice upgrade to the 9. Anyone have one? I think increased helmet use can also be attributed to the popularity of skiing the trees. A few years back, it was unlikely to see a glade marked on a ski areas trail map... __________________ Greg 2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05 Life's too short for warm up runs.

Jan 11, 2006, 10:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
skibum1321 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Malden, MA Posts: 1,349	I started wearing one about 5 years ago. Now I wouldn't ski without one. I've always had the Giro 9 and I love it. It's lightweight, warm and protects my dome. My friends always made fun of me because they thought it looks like a bike helmet, but that's probably where the inspiration came from. I'd rather wear a bike helmet than one of those bulky Boeri things. And I wear it because I ski a lot of trees. Even if I don't crash it protects me from all those low limbs and branches. __________________ Fear should be treated like fire - it's a good thing that can keep you warm but it can also burn down the house

Jan 11, 2006, 10:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
SheikYerbouti Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5	Good deal, I always wear a helmet when I ride my Trek, so why not when I ski. I fall a heck of alot more skiing. Thanks for the welcome.

Jan 11, 2006, 10:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
hammer Mona Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: at a computer Posts: 2,228	You'll find that a lot of people (including myself) have Giro 9s here, so I guess that would be the most-recommended model. In any case, I'd suggest that any helmet you get has vents (the Giro 9s have removable vent plugs). You'ld be surprised how toasty it can get under that helmet...

Jan 11, 2006, 10:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
SheikYerbouti Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5	Not at all, I have a Giro cycling helmet and it's mostly vents with some plastic and foam. :P I get very warm, so more vents is a bonus. Thanks again.

Jan 11, 2006, 11:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
bvibert Surfing AZ while waiting for snow Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Torrington, CT Posts: 12,423	If you're looking to buy a helmet I would suggest going to the store and trying on several different makes and models. Since different people have differently shaped heads some helmets will fit better than others... __________________ Brian SAC Tracker - Tramdock Tracker - Chainlove Tracker - WhiskeyMilitia Tracker

Jan 11, 2006, 11:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
Paul Doofinschmirtz Evil Inc. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: East Hampton, CT Posts: 3,220	Yes, I do. ...and I like Frank too. __________________ When it comes to havoc, nobody wreaks like me!!

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