Helmets

I'm sorry if this has been done to death on previous threads however I got to page 3 of quite a lot on the ski hardware pages and gave up searching!

I've finally decided to put the safety aspect first and feel I should ski in a helmet when I go in January. What I need advice on I guess is a) Can I and should I simply hire a helmet in resort and b) if not any suggestions what I should buy or what important aspects I should consider (also what sort of cash I should be looking to spend)?

Hope some of you can offer assistance.

Many Thanks

You can hire in resort. My reservation on doing it would be how do you know if the lid has taken a knock? Evidence of an impact may not be visible.

I paid approx £80 for my Giro 10 last season. OH has just bought a Saloman helmet for about £65. Hire cost was less than £20 in Grindelwald.

Features I was looking for apart from the obvious EU standards was good & adjustable vents, adjustment of the head band, which with the Giro is via a dial at the back and comfort. And finally, take your goggles with you if you go to try to make sure the helmet / goggle combo is compatible

Many resorts do offer helmet hire. Personally, I would prefer to use my own, as I have seen rental helmets being kicked down resort roads by the yoof who are that weeks' users. Plus, there is the condition of the liner, which may be fine........

If you decide on having your own, the most important consideration is the fit. It should be close, not cramping. You should be able to wrinkle your forehead with the helmet undone, and when you do up the strap it should be comfortable under your chin. Ideally, you should aim for one with some internal adjustment, perhaps moveable pads, or a lacing system over the crown. Make sure it has vents!

It's possible to buy a helmet with CE approval for around £25, it's also possible to spend £100+. Fit is everything(not colour/iPod speakers/yada yada) it's safety gear.

I suggest visiting a large ski shop and trying on several, to see how they feel, and to judge what features you want on yours'.

...and it is easier than you think to spend £200 :shock: ) :lol: 8)

Nooooooooo!!!!

I'm melting.

Tried to buy in resort last year not that easy to find good fitting lid.

Managed to get one this year but ended up paying £108 for mine but the best fit for me, after all the trouble I had getting boots to fit properly I didn't t pay too much attention to price just the fit.

Remember to consider style. Sounds silly, but a helmet is as much a statement about the type of skier you are as your skis, or clothes. There are three main categories, racer/serious skier, recreational skier, and snowboarder. The racer helmets will have sides, the recreational skier may have sides, or soft material over the ears, and the snowboarder will likely have a beanie/cap sub hat, or a military helmet shape. Sounds silly, but the wrong helmet can look incongruous with the clothes you wear, and your skier type.

Trencher

Here in Switzerland you won't have problems buying in a resort. However, if you are trying to rent only a helmet you might run into a problem. I tried to rent 2 helmets only for friends this week (They already had ski gear) and was told that they only rent the helmets with skis/snowboard. This may have been specific to this resort, but it is something you should be aware of.

[comment moved to The Ski Helmet Debate]