Do you wear a ski helmet?

[Greg]

Today, I too joined the ranks of the helmeted skier. I'm now sporting a Titanium Giro Nine.9, courtesy of our friends at SnowShack. I've been considering a helmet for some time, but decided to take the plunge after hearing of this week's unfortunate accidents. With a wife, a 2-year-old daughter, a house etc., I have a lot more to lose now than I did when I was twenty in the event I got hurt, or worse. I don't expect it to help much in a really bad crash, but it certainly can't hurt and may protect me from mild to moderate falls.

I've found mine to be very lightweight and comfortable and I hardly know I'm wearing it. The top of my head stayed very warm today, but there was a lot of draft around my neck and ears. I suppose that's something easily dealt with on very cold days with a balaclava hood. I may still forego the helmet on those really warm spring days, but so far I'm very comfortable with my decision to slap on the brain bucket...

 

[noreaster]

I also wear a Giro Helmet .

 

[ftrain]

They should make everyone wear one

I skiied Cannon Yesterday and 8 out of every 10 people had a helmet on. I been skiing with one for 3 years now. Best investment I ever made. Last year in St Anton I lost it in a shoot and went off a cliff. My helmet was destroyed and I walked away with only being dizzy for a few days.

 

[Vortex]

I don't wear a hemet. I have my kids in them. I know I should, it is just not going to happen I don't think. I only used them when I raced GS as a kid. Greg good point about alot to lose makes me consider it. It is hard to change old habits.

 

[RossiSkier]

Got a helmut on Ebay

Yep, got a helmut on EBAY this year. Bumped my head at least 3 times with it so far. Probally used to do that with my plain head and never noticed. Got my wife a helmut last year 'cause she seems to get run over by snowboarders every now and then. My twins with have helmuts as well as soon as they get up on skis. Lids on kids. Lids on adults. Keep your brains in your cranium.

 

[RuffusCorncobb]

Love my helmet

I started wearing a helmet about 6 years ago when I first got back into the sport. Knit hats make me itch and were either cold or wet, seamed like I was always uncomfortable in them. I tried a helmet and found it much more comfortable to wear. Since then Ive had my helmet take several hits that made me glad to have it for safety reasons and I dont think I would ski with out it.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Helmet

Yep. This is my third or fourth year that I have one. I find it very comfortable AND it has unquestionably saved my noggin on a couple of occasions. Check out the discussion on another thread here on the forum and read about the incredibly convoluted logic used by others to justify "non" use of a helmet.

 

[skibum23]

Helmets are great

I've been wearing a helmet for I think 5 years...Whatever season Bono and Kenedy died I started wearing one...The are much warmer than a knit hat will ever be and much more comfortable than most people think. I don't think I could ever go back to a regular hat again. I highly suggest that those who don't wear one go pick one up. My brother just bought one at Killington on Satruday and paid $65 for it. It is well worth the investment.

 

[bvibert]

I started wearing one last year. I wear it all the time and don't even notice it. Its very warm and comfortable Just pick one that fits your head good...

 

[GadgetRick]

Interesting

I don't wear a hemet. I have my kids in them. I know I should, it is just not going to happen I don't think. I only used them when I raced GS as a kid. Greg good point about alot to lose makes me consider it. It is hard to change old habits.

Please don't take this as a personal attack...it isn't. I just always find it funny when parents are skiing without one but they insist on their kids wearing one. Just think about that for a minute...

Also, if someone recognizes they have a lot to loose and agrees it would be good to wear one then why not just wear one? I just don't understand that.

Again, this wasn't meant as a personal attack. It's just confusing.

btw, I wear one all of the time on the mountain. My wife wears one and my son (as soon as he's old enough to ski) will wear one (he has a helmet for when he rides his tricycle).. I've always worn my seatbelt (even before the laws) as well. I have life insurance and I wear a helmet when biking.. Why? Not because I expect to get hurt, rather, because I have a beautiful wife and a 2 year old son whom I want to enjoy for many years to come. Believe me, on warm days I HATE and I do mean HATE wearing a helmet. I'm sweating like crazy but I keep it on but, to me, it's worth it.

 

[Vortex]

Rickster, Taken the way it was presented. No problem. I started the kids with them from day 1 they did not know any different. This discussion has got me thinking. All relevant I do wear a seat belt. It's like the motocycle hemet debate.

 

[ftrain]

I think all mountains should make it a requirement. Just remember that you not wearing a helemet effects all of us because we all end up paying higher health coverage as doctors charge more and people get more seriously hurt.

 

[tree_skier]

wife made me get one as a good example for the kiddies

 

[hammer]

I've worn one (Giro 9) ever since I started skiing on a regular basis last season. When I saw all of the debate about the effectiveness of helmets I told my wife that she could go with a hat if she wanted. After seeing her take a few falls on her backside, including one where she bumped her head, I'm now insisting (OK, pleading) that she buy one before our next ski trip.

Aside from the head protection, as long as I have the ears covered, I get the side benefit of keeping snow out of my ears if I fall, which is important for me since I get vertigo if that happens.

 

[killclimbz]

I always wear my brain bucket. It's really all you have to protect yourself. I've also noticed, it's way warmer than a hat, so I wear less layers, and it has changed my tree riding radically. I now can just put my head down and bash through branches that would have ripped my hat and goggles off in the past. Good stuff is you ask me.

 

[loafer89]

I do not wear a helmut and barring from it becoming law, I do not think that I ever will. I have been skiing for 22 years without one and so far so good. Our 4 year old son does wear one at all times though. I do not think that helmuts are a bad idea they are just not for me. When our son becomes old enough to make informed decissions, it will be up to him to decide to wear one or not, but starting out with good safety habits is a help.

 

[KingM]

All you hold-outs, please start wearing a helmet. All it takes is one bozo who cuts across your path, one tenth of one second where you lose control and you'll spend the rest of your life drooling from one corner of your mouth. It's not worth the risk.

 

[Terry]

do you wear a helmet

I have worn a helmet for 3 years now. I have a Giro 9 and it nis very light and warm. Don't even notice it is on. Even on warm spring days, it has removable vents and ear flaps to let in plenty of air. Wouldn't feel right skiing without it now.

 

[dmc]

It's a personal choice...

Make up your own mind...

 

[ctenidae]

I'm with the Pro-Choice crowd on this one. I know the benefits and risks, and I decide not to wear a helmet. Maybe that just means I don't have enough brains to protect, anyway, but it's my choice.