Do you wear a helmet?

[abc]

when i've seen it it has been on intermediate trails (at least the times i can recall).

But when I go out to the line up, I don't know what level of student I'll be getting. I may get an intermediate, or I may get a never ever.

 

[abc]

Does your helmet have vents? The technology has come a long way if your helmet is a few years old, I dont ever feel hot in mine.

Try skating uphill a few times! Whatever vent there is, is no match to a bare head. No hats required, even temperature in the teens!

The beauty of hats is exactly because I can have it on when I'm skiing. But if I get hot, I can take it off, fold it up and stuff it in my pockets.

 

[catskillman]

Besides, what's my chance of fall and hitting my head on the bunny slope? About the same as my walking across the road to get lunch! Since I don't wear a helmet getting lunch, I don't see the need to wear one while teaching.[/QUOTE]

Very high actually. I know several instructors that were taken out by high speed power wedgers on the bunny slope. There was one many many years ago, a great gorge I believe, that I read got his head run over by an out of control skier who was in second place in a downhill race with a classmate. Also, at Hunter 2 instructors collided head on. The one wearing the helmet was fine. The other died. Most mountains now strongly recommend/require the use of a helmet.

 

[VTKilarney]

I can definitely see the merit in instructors wearing helmets as an example to their students. The message itself is pretty important.

 

[C-Rex]

No matter how slim the odds are that you get hurt, I'd have some serious regrets if I got seriously injured and it could have been prevented by wearing something that's light, warm, comfortable, and, depending on who you ask, fashionable as well. Sure, they can be expensive, but how do you put a price on your functioning brain. $100 to greatly reduce the risk of spending the rest of my life like a piece of broccoli? I'll pay that. There's really no GOOD reason not too. All you can say is, "It's my decision. I know it's a risk and I accept it." AS dumb as I think it is, I'll never begrudge someone for making a personal decision, as long as it's educated.

 

[Not Sure]

https://bangordailynews.com/2015/02...ad-injury-in-skiing-accident-at-sunday-river/
Reading the Q Burke thread jogged my memory from the Summit last week ,
My Brothers GF mentioned this but I don't know any details.

 

[Not Sure]

Besides, what's my chance of fall and hitting my head on the bunny slope? About the same as my walking across the road to get lunch! Since I don't wear a helmet getting lunch, I don't see the need to wear one while teaching.

Very high actually. I know several instructors that were taken out by high speed power wedgers on the bunny slope. There was one many many years ago, a great gorge I believe, that I read got his head run over by an out of control skier who was in second place in a downhill race with a classmate. Also, at Hunter 2 instructors collided head on. The one wearing the helmet was fine. The other died. Most mountains now strongly recommend/require the use of a helmet.[/QUOTE]

I took my 8 yr old out for his first time ever this year , after some confidence he froze after going too fast and went straight into a family .
His ski flipped and hit a small kid and gashed his eyebrow , about 1 1/2" ,creased his helmet .
Without the helmet it would have been his whole forehead .
To me life is all about odds , helmet overall improves your chances.

 

[ironhippy]

I wear a helmet. I grew up skiing in the 80's and the only people who wore helmets were racers when they were racing. I remember my mom actually telling me "you'll have to join the race team if you want a helmet".

When I got back into skiing in my 30's my mom made sure to tell me "make sure you wear a helmet!", funny how things change. First time back I wore a helmet and have just considered it part of my gear ever since.

 

[abc]

wearing something that's light, warm, comfortable

"warm" is THE problem!!!

It's far too hot when you're skating uphill while your students ride up on the magic carpet every time!

 

[thetrailboss]

To answer the original question, yes I do. I have now for 17 years.

 

[abc]

Very high actually. I know several instructors that were taken out by high speed power wedgers on the bunny slope. There was one many many years ago, a great gorge I believe, that I read got his head run over by an out of control skier who was in second place in a downhill race with a classmate. Also, at Hunter 2 instructors collided head on. The one wearing the helmet was fine. The other died. Most mountains now strongly recommend/require the use of a helmet.

Do you know how many pedestrians got knocked down by bike messenger or turning cars? Actually a lot more than un-helmeted ski instructors!!!

But do YOU wear a helmet crossing the street? Why not???

 

[thetrailboss]

it boggles my mind when i see Ski Patrol and ski instructors on the mountain without helmets.

I think that some places require their employees to wear them when skiing and riding. I might be wrong though.

 

[thetrailboss]

I think that one of the biggest misconceptions is the relative amount of protection that a helmet provides. If you are going Tuna Speed and hit something, helmet or no helmet you are going to be hurt pretty badly. Helmets are most effective for beginners and lower intermediates skiing on groomed snow and relatively low speeds. In fact that is their target market. They can't produce a helmet for hard charging experts because it would simply be too heavy. It is a dirty secret with helmets...they don't provide much protection but they certainly provide more than a wool hat.

 

[abc]

It is a dirty secret with helmets...they don't provide much protection but they certainly provide more than a wool hat.

But there's another way of looking at that. Even when experts hit the deck at high speed, the biggest components of the momentum actually goes sliding. The impact on the snow isn't all that big, unless they hit some object.

In that regard, helmets provide just the same protection for experts as beginners.

What the helmet doesn't protect, is when skiing high speed in the trees, or hitting a tree on the side of the trail at high speed. The thing is, a lot of intermediates straight-lining a blue slope can attain such a high speed to render the helmet useless. And plenty of intermediates nowadays goes exploring in the glades too.

I don't think the "dirty little secret" is true any more.

 

[thetrailboss]

But there's another way of looking at that. Even when experts hit the deck at high speed, the biggest components of the momentum actually goes sliding. The impact on the snow isn't all that big, unless they hit some object.

In that regard, helmets provide just the same protection for experts as beginners.

What the helmet doesn't protect, is when skiing high speed in the trees, or hitting a tree on the side of the trail at high speed. The thing is, a lot of intermediates straight-lining a blue slope can attain such a high speed to render the helmet useless. And plenty of intermediates nowadays goes exploring in the glades too.

I don't think the "dirty little secret" is true any more.

Agree with you on the trees aspect. But as to the other point it all depends upon if your head comes in contact with the ice/snow/grass/dirt first or if, as you said, one slides.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Helmets are most effective for beginners and lower intermediates skiing on groomed snow and relatively low speeds. In fact that is their target market. They can't produce a helmet for hard charging experts because it would simply be too heavy. It is a dirty secret with helmets...they don't provide much protection but they certainly provide more than a wool hat.

I just finished watching the world championships. I was amazed at all the hard chargers racing in wool hats.

 

[billski]

Every time I hear something like this: Ski industry stresses helmet use in wake of Sugarloaf death I can't help but wonder if it could have been avoided.

Original accident report: Husson University football player dies in skiing accident at Sugarloaf

Do you wear a helmet. I have a three helmet quiver

 

[C-Rex]

I don't think anyone believes that a helmet renders their head invincible. A seatbelt or airbag won't save you in ANY crash either, but no one argues their effectiveness.

 

[deadheadskier]

How long do folks hang onto their helmets before replacing? I think I've got 8 years on mine. Dented all over but still works great.

 

[Edd]

I'll replace them when I've decided they look dorky. I'm all about style.