Wisconsin was blasted with a snow storm on Wednesday. DH and I decided to ski last night. I was all bundled up put on my helmet and goggles (DH asked if I really needed my goggles). We were skiing on a pretty empty hill. I was going down a blue run. DH was at the top watching me. Now, this is a really small hill. It’s very wide and not long at all. I’m skiing and thinking that my form is awesome… I’m really concentrating. I hear something behind me and before I could even react I was completely hit from the side and went flying. I felt like I was tackled. My head and right side of my body hit the ground hard. When I stood up I was face to face with teenager who was obviously stunned. He told me he caught an edge. My DH said he was skiing backwards and caught an edge, then did a little jump directly into me. He said there was no way to avoid… we were the only two on the hill. My helmet was cracked, my pole completely bent and I’m sporting a wicked black eye. Thankfully, I was wearing goggles because my face/helmet hit his ski. I really only have a huge black and blue bump from where my goggles hit his ski. That could have been my face! He was asked to leave the hill by ski patrol.
So… today I am off to a conference, with a black eye. I’m so glad I wore a helmet. When I told my friend what happened (she is taking a ski trip this weekend) she was stunned. BUT she laughed when I told her to wear a helmet. She said she never does. I told her that this accident was not my fault. We were the only two people skiing (although he must have cut across from another area because I was the only one skiing when I began down the hill). I think she is stupid for not wearing a helmet. Sometimes accidents happen.
So… today I am off to a conference, with a black eye. I’m so glad I wore a helmet. When I told my friend what happened (she is taking a ski trip this weekend) she was stunned. BUT she laughed when I told her to wear a helmet. She said she never does. I told her that this accident was not my fault. We were the only two people skiing (although he must have cut across from another area because I was the only one skiing when I began down the hill). I think she is stupid for not wearing a helmet. Sometimes accidents happen.
) and said "You must be an expert what with the helmet and all" (or something like that). I gave her what must have been a dumbfounded look and said, "yeah, it's not about how well you ski, it's about how well the people around you ski!" I proceeded to tell her a couple of anecdotes, and she said "Wow, I never thought about it that way. I guess I should get one!" 
Glad you're OK.... I'm a strong proponent of helmets, wouldn't ski without one! Ther have been rumors out here that some resorts will make them mandatory. Might not be a bad idea. My suprise is that the kid wasn't on a snowboard
