Hats or Helmets

[bdfreetuna]

I rely on my helmet to interface with tree branches in lieu of my skull. Woods skiing without a helmet is foolish, given the option.

When I see people without helmets, 9 times out of 10 you can tell by their gear that they simply haven't felt the need to change anything in 20 years. That's fine, but I also don't see them on the steeps or in the steep woods.

There are some really hot spring days where I might ditch the helmet in the afternoon, but corn snow to me is a low risk situation no matter what terrain. Anything with even the slightest chance of ice or boilerplate and helmets are mandatory.

 

[steamboat1]

54 years on ski's, never wore a helmet, never wore earplugs either. Pretty sure my ski's/boots are up to date.

 

[catskills]

I got this one. Helmets are hats. Hats are hats. Ah what was the question again.

 

[Domeskier]

I think it's mandatory to wear a helmet when racing

Besides its probably more aerodynamic when you consider the goggles too

A guy who can slay a gate like that probably doesn't need a helmet!

 

[Stephanie]

As someone recovering with TBI, let me say-you are a complete moron if you dont wear a helmet. It is not fun, it sucks, and even on "corn-snow" you can nail a pole/building/tree or get hit by someone or something else. Suck it up an wear it, and teach your kids the same.

 

[VTKilarney]

As someone recovering with TBI, let me say-you are a complete moron if you dont wear a helmet. It is not fun, it sucks, and even on "corn-snow" you can nail a pole/building/tree or get hit by someone or something else. Suck it up an wear it, and teach your kids the same.

Except that it's more complicated than that. There have been studies in certain sports that suggest that helmets don't reduce overall injuries. People who wear helmets take more risks. Here is an article about skiing and helmets: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/01/s...se-but-no-decline-in-brain-injuries.html?_r=0


I wear a helmet, and my children wear helmets. That's not going to change for the time being. But I'm also aware that it's skier behavior that matters the most, and that a helmet doesn't absolve me of the need to teach my children safe behavior.

 

[mriceyman]

Tree skiing def influenced me to get a helmet when i did. Weve had jackets and hats ripped by passing trees so would rather not have a branch potentially ripping my head open


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[Tin]

Crotched, yesterday, helmet? ;-);-)

It was in my bag, I'm still getting used to it....I know, I know...

 

[603Skier]

I have been knocked out more than once wearing a helmet.I don't know if I would be here today if I did not have it on. Just this past weekend I hit a huge chunk of ice on a branch from a snow gun and I'm sure it would have really really hurt had I not been wearing my helmet.

 

[moresnow]

Looks like you are wearing a helmet in your avatar pic...

I don't think that's a picture of him in his avatar.

 

[Not Sure]

Posted before but ,wrong turn at Tucks ,I'll bet this guy wears a helmet now.

 

[Breakout12]

Helmets aren't just cool, they are the coolest. Seriously, safety, style, improved comfort and warmth, not looking like a counter-culture, stick-it-to-the-man fool. What's not to love about helmets?

 

[Breakout12]

Except that it's more complicated than that. There have been studies in certain sports that suggest that helmets don't reduce overall injuries. People who wear helmets take more risks. Here is an article about skiing and helmets: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/01/s...se-but-no-decline-in-brain-injuries.html?_r=0


I wear a helmet, and my children wear helmets. That's not going to change for the time being. But I'm also aware that it's skier behavior that matters the most, and that a helmet doesn't absolve me of the need to teach my children safe behavior.

It has nothing to do with taking more risks. My helmet has scrapes on it that I'm not even sure the origin of, but helmetless, I'd be cut open. Same with my cycling helmet. The greatest impacts were not from falls, but happened when off the bike, walking around a shore with low hanging tree branches. Have you ever gored the top of your head? It stings like a mofo, and bleeds like crazy.

I fell on my bike last summer, and bumped my head. It was a light bump and there was no damage to me or the helmet, but there most certainly would have been if I hadn't been wearing it.

[/QUOTE] But I'm also aware that it's skier behavior that matters the most.[/QUOTE]

Ya, but sometimes it's another skier's behaviour that endangers us! Are you really saying that you are confident that you can control ALL situations and avoid all danger?

 

[MadMadWorld]

I still see skiers wearing hats but they are def in the minority. Helmets keep your head mostly dry when its raining as well.

Did T.J. Burke where a hat or helmet?!?! I rest my case.

Wait....Dexter wore the hat....dammit nevermind

 

[gmcunni]

can't mount a gopro on a knit hat

 

[prsboogie]

Except that it's more complicated than that. There have been studies in certain sports that suggest that helmets don't reduce overall injuries. People who wear helmets take more risks. Here is an article about skiing and helmets: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/01/s...se-but-no-decline-in-brain-injuries.html?_r=0


I wear a helmet, and my children wear helmets. That's not going to change for the time being. But I'm also aware that it's skier behavior that matters the most, and that a helmet doesn't absolve me of the need to teach my children safe behavior.

I agree with both of you. If you are going hard enough, nothing is going to save your melon. Its the lower less dramatic impacts that have the best results from wearing a helmet, tree branches, grazing a rock or tree on a slide, someone else's ski/pole.

It is similar to motorcycles, at 30 mph your head stands a chance in a helmet, at a buck-ten, you probably won't want to be around with all the other injuries you will most likely sustain.

 

[dlague]

Well a simple fall on a flat can do lots of damage considering what happened to Natasha Richardson when she was not wearing a helmet. Chances are she would still be around if she had.

For us it is simple rather have the amount of protection it provide then to not have it at all.

 

[witch hobble]

I ski in a Jimmy hat and full motocross helmet. You can never be too safe!

 

[Madroch]

Helmet... Started because of kids, kept it because it is probably safer then without... Oddly, have banged my noggin more in my years with a helmet than my years without... But I am older and less coordinated now....

 

[Ski2LiveLive2Ski]

Started wearing a helmet when I became a parent. About the same time I got life insurance. Mine is warm and comfortable, can't see a reason to ski without one. Can take the ear flaps off for spring skiing.