Who here doesn’t wear a helmet? [looks around room]
I do. And proudly so. But not everyone does. Some argue that a helmet really doesn’t offer much protection in the event of a high speed crash. Or that they ski carefully, so there’s really no need. Or that they just don’t like the way it looks.
Me, I just feel safer in one. That doesn’t mean I think that wearing one allows me to ski like a maniac or indulge in risky behavior. I’m just one to take precautions. I wear a seat belt when I’m in a car. And I wear a bike helmet when biking. So to me, wearing a ski helmet is sort of like that. If there’s a chance it’ll help me avoid a head injury, then I’m all for it. My husband had a nasty crash a couple years ago and actually cracked his helmet. If that’d been his skull, I’d be a widow right now. So yes, I think wearing a helmet makes sense.
More and more, it seems like helmets have become the usual rather than the exception. At some resorts, helmets are mandatory for children in ski school. A good idea, I think. Personally, I think all ski instructors and patrollers should be required to wear them, as well, to set a good example for the kids.
So how do you know if a ski helmet fits?
Simple. Try it on. It should fit snugly, but not too tight. It shouldn’t rock back and forth when you shake your head. If the skin on your forehead moves, you have a good fit. It ‘s important to keep in mind that not all helmets fit the same. Head shape is a factor in your helmet selection as well. In most cases, your helmet will fit if you get the right size, but there are circumstances where the helmet will not fit due to the shape of the helmet and the shape of your head. In cases like this, you may have to try on a few different models to find the right one.
And if you think helmets look dorky, maybe you need to amp it up a level or two. Check these blingy models out from Ice Couture:
