The Ski Helmet Debate

Wool is the future.

I guess I'm retreading some old ground here - apologies, but here's my two cents (which is worth less than 2p with the Euro rate getting worse....)

I don't wear a helmet as I don't feel comfortable, think visibility is not as good, like to wear silly hats, etc

My wife wears a helmet because she was hit by an out of control skier in Val Thorens 2 years ago and had to have surgery on our return to the UK to fix her broken nose and cheekbone in 3 places (still has the titanium in there, always will)

We're both relatively sane and sensible people but we have differing views on helmets and that's fine - would her injuries have been any less had she been wearing a helmet in VT? - Unknown but I DO know it makes her feel safer and that is only a good thing as the accident (no fault of her own) has made her very wary in traffic on the slopes.

I've tried a "taster" learn to snowboard class and think that anyone who does that should be made to wear a helmet as the chances of landing on the back of your head are far greater - once you are in control then back to your own choice I say.

What I have noticed is too many kids/teens (possibly Brits but who knows) who fly down pistes without any concern for safety and I do muse/wonder/suspect-without-actual-proof that the wearing of a helmet makes them feel all the more invincible, if so then this is not a good thing!

Ultimately I think they will become compulsory in time which is a shame as I like my collection of silly hats!

I get a free helmet with my ski hire in VDI this year so will probably try it again (not least as my wife thinks I should) but who knows if I will like it.

Choice for all and all for choice !

Andy

Been watching this with interest and think there are a lot of very good arguments on each side of the argument. However I come down fully on the side of choice. Personal risk should be a personal decision.

Conventional wisdom states an individual wearing a helmet is unlikely to cause others injury or distress, and may afford me some protection from the freak occurence of a serious head injury. Then again it may not be this simple. As previously pointed out, a novice in a helmet may have a greater sense of security and step out of his or her comfort zone and indeed cause an accident with someone else suffering as a consequence. He may also take a couple of serious falls and batter his helmet (apologies) so badly that it is no longer fit for purpose and affords little protection the next time he falls. The odds for any of the things above are exeptionally small and meaningful quantitative measurement is difficult as a result. There are plenty of sensible skiers/snowboarders whom will not go speeding as a result of putting a lid on and will feel a certain peace of mind which enhances thier enjoyment of the sport. There are plenty of good snowsport enthusiasts that feel it distracts from thuer enjoyment. Neither is wrong. When talking about such a small percentages it can be statitistically argued that there is not enough data to say if the wearing of helmets is benificial considering the bigger picture of speed and skill level.

A far more meaningful precaution is the combination of education, following the rules, respect for others, training and knowing your limits.

I exclude activities such as throwing down tricks, catching big air and generally being rad from this analysis )

Tino, I was a novice snowboarder back in the mid 90's. I saw very few wearing helmets back then. I hit the back of my head hard on a blue slope in Nevada. The fall stunned me, and I've not been on a board since. If I'd been offered a rental helmet, I might still be boarding?

Whilst we are talking headwear, can I just add that anyone who wears hats like these needs to be banned from ski slopes for life:

http://icehead.co.uk/products/winter-sports-headwear/

Tony_H wrote:Whilst we are talking hearwear, can I just add that anyone who wears hats like these needs to be banned from ski slopes for life:

http://icehead.co.uk/products/winter-sports-headwear/

Tony, you can only wear daft clobber if you are a really good skier )

bandit wrote:

Tony_H wrote:Whilst we are talking headwear, can I just add that anyone who wears hats like these needs to be banned from ski slopes for life:

http://icehead.co.uk/products/winter-sports-headwear/

Tony, you can only wear daft clobber if you are a really good skier )

at £47 for an Inca hat it will be the skiers wallet that breaks the fall :shock:

I really get annoyed when I see people skiing in hats with fake red hair, court jesters hats, or something stupid like that. I cant explain why.