Ski Helmets?

Hi guys n girls,

I personally don't use a helmet at the moment although if I boarded rather than skied I reckon i'd get one ASAP.

Currently I stay mainly on piste although I have started to look at the areas alongside or between runs which I consider, baby off piste
When I go away next Feb (09) I'd also like to try some jumping at the fun park so I guess a helmet would be something I should look at purchasing.

A friend of mine (boarder) had a fall in Bulgaria where he went over and hit his head on black ice.
He spent 2.5 days in hospital with bad concussion and when he arrived home he was signed off for around 2 months with severe restrictions on what he could do, read, TV, play games etc.
Needless to say he now wears a helmet all of the time and would never board without it.

I think that most boarders fall on their front or back which makes this more likely to hit their heads.

Shame hats look cooler )

During the initial learning phase, I'm sure boarders are more prone to head impacts in falls, especially heelside slams. At more advanced levels skiers are more likely to be moving faster than boarders. When things go wrong at speed, it matters little whether you are on a board or skis. Some experience with martial arts falls can help, but often only luck will determine the outcome. I have had many "flying through the air" type falls on skis and boards where a helmet has been benificial to say the least. In the general population of resort users, I think skiers are less adventurous than boaders. Unfortunately, people who like to stay within thier comfort zone are likely to under estimate the potential for a serious fall. The terrain park is on another level of risk entirely.

In the US now, helmet wearing is a good indication of a skier's/boarder's level of skill, experience and seriouseness. That is, the more time people spend boarding or skiing, the more likely they are to wear a helmet. Which is why to experienced people hats don't look cooler :wink:

Trencher

Another benefit of helmets not mentioned above is face protection. I have landed face down several times with force and at speed. The front of the helmet has skidded along the snow rather than my face.

Trencher

bandit wrote:Here come the restrictions....

Just seen a BUPA Travel Policy requiring snowboarders to use a leash and use "protective headgear" in the small print. my italics

So, the $64,000 question.... Would they disallow a claim if their snowboarding claimant chose not to wear a helmet. Plenty of other insurers to choose from currently, but it could start a trend, and others may follow this.

BUPA are selling insurance to UK residents in this instance.

I'm covered by BUPA through work for 'winter sports' - their policy wording is very long when it comes to snowboarding (including the helmet wear) and for skiing it is nearly as vague. I always opt for BUPA but only becuase it is cheap (through work) but for off piste, it is ludicrous - you would never be covered, you have to take a stand alone policy on top.

Basically, I include BUPA travel cover at work as one of my flexible benefits (not just for winter sports but for summer trips and it includes family very cheaply) but my boyfriend works with me and many years ago used to work in insurance and doesn't opt for the BUPA cover because he thinks they have too many caveats when it comes to winter sports.. Maybe I'm silly, maybe he is (for paying over the odds every year) but we won't know until we have a claim.....

As an anecdote, it is very easy to make a claim in spain for getting drunk and losing your bag but losing a ski is a very different matter.

I did buy a helmet after I crashed with my head within inches of sharp rocks and had I hit them I would probably not be posting here. But once I wore it and found it very uncomfortable obstructing my hearing and heating up. So what I do is slow down in narrow passages and stay more vigilant.

Maybe try a different brand of helmet? Most recreational helmets have removable ear pads, fitting fine tuning and adjustable vents, so overheating and hearing issues should be easily remedied.

Well, thought I would revive this old thread to say, I bought a helmet for this next ski season :)

I do get it now, with all the off piste skiing I have been doing and the level I want to push myself to, it is a good idea, also got one for my son.

Also going Skiing tomorrow at Crystal Mnt. :mrgreen:

Brad

I started wearing a helmet a couple of years ago, after 2 seasons without one. For me, as an intermediate snowboarder, I found that putting on a helmet gave me more confidence to attempt more difficult terrain, on and off piste, not having to worry about a head injury is one thing off my mind while trying to concentrate on a new slope or technique.

Also, don't forget the importance of replacing your helmet after an impact, as just like a bicycle helmet, the integrity of the helmet may be compromised even if you cannot see any damage.

I would also like to add, I don't think that it matters whether you are a skier or a snowboarder, you should consider wearing a helmet regardless of the terrain that you ski or ride. It only takes one out of control person to cause a serious collision, and these can and do occur off piste and in the back country too.