Protect Your Head
Skiing is fast paced, and in a relatively uncontrolled environment, but speeding through the snow at top speed is part of what makes it so fun!
Whilst the chances of a head injury in skiing still falls far behind other recreational hobbies such as cycling, football, and contact sports like rugby and martial arts, there’s still a risk of injury that’s accepted every time you hit the slopes.
Whether you’re on or off-piste, every skier can benefit from a good quality ski helmet, regardless of experience level.
The most common injuries are usually broken bones or joint injuries to the knees; head injuries when skiing are still a very real possibility, especially in the event of a collision. As skiing becomes less expensive, more accessible and more popular, the chances of a collision either with an object or another skier rise, especially during peak skiing season.
A lot of work has gone into making skiing as safe a sport as possible, and though head injuries represent a small portion of all skiing related injuries, they are the most serious and are most likely to cause death or disability.
Helmets don’t make you immune to head injuries, but they can reduce the severity of injuries. When it comes to choosing a good ski helmet, it can be literally life or death – that’s why your helmet is the one area you can’t afford to be cheap.
When you’re staring out in skiing, you might be tempted to buy lower cost equipment with a lower quality, but experience is also a major deciding factor when it comes to injury severity. Inexperienced or untrained skiers are much more likely to have a serious head injury compared to a more experienced skier, but even experienced skiers may be injured due to sudden obstacles, weather conditions, or less experienced skiers cashing into them. Both novice and experienced skiers should select their helmet carefully. In this post, we’re going to discuss what to look for in a ski helmet, so whether you’re an experienced skier or a newbie looking for how to choose your first ski helmet, you can find out everything you need to know!
How to Choose a Ski Helmet?
Choosing a ski helmet depends on a range of factors. As technology advances, ski helmets are becoming stronger, lighter, and more comfortable to wear.
There are a few things to consider when you’re choosing a helmet such as:
- Purpose – What will you be using your helmet for recreational skiing or for racing? Racing ski helmets are held to a stricter standard than recreational ski helmets in order to meet competitive rules. If you’re an experienced skier and are considering competitive skiing, our range of racing ski helmets offer several choices.
- Budget – Your price range can be a huge deciding factor when choosing a new ski helmet. You’ll usually have a set price in mind of what you’re willing to pay for a ski helmet. You should always buy the safest helmet possible within your price range. Saving money isn’t worth your safety!
- Fit – Your helmet has to be on your head to provide protection! A poor fitting helmet is pointless as it will slip off as soon as you crash. A good fitting helmet should feel secure and not slide around on your head, but it should also be comfortable and not put any pressure on your head. A good quality helmet will be adjustable, allowing you to fit your helmet perfectly to your head.
- Technology – As technology improves and the manufacturing process gets better, higher quality materials with better protection abilities become available making ski helmets safer and more comfortable. Advanced technologies are a good idea, such as MIPS (which we explain below!)
- Certification – Certifications are your assurance that your helmet has been tested properly and meets a high level of safety. If your helmet isn’t certified to a certain standard, it may not protect you in a skiing accident.
Ski Helmet Certification Standards Explained
A lot of work has gone into making skiing as safe as possible. One way skiing has been made safer is with the introduction of safety standards. These are minimum safety standards that a ski helmet should reach, showing you that your helmet has been subjected to proper levels of testing as set out by the EEC (European Economic Community).
The most common safety certification is EN 1077:2007. This is split into 2 categories, Class A and Class B.
Class A helmets are subject to more rigorous penetration testing than Class B helmets and are also required to have a hard shell covering to protect the ears, whilst Class B helmets may come with a soft covering or no covering at all. Whilst Class B helmets may be more comfortable, Class A helmets may provide more protection.
Ski helmets that meet the EEC standards will be marked or labelled with CE or EN. Ski helmets that are not marked or do not have this information on the label do not meet the safety standards and may not protect you in the event of crash or a fall.
Safe ski helmets certified EN 1077:2007 in both Class A and B will have been subject to testing including:
- Field of vision – ensuring nothing will obstruct your view
- Coverage – making sure all parts of your head are properly protected
- Shock absorption – to ensure your helmet will lessen the force of impact, protecting you from injuries such as skull fractures and concussion.
- Penetration resistance – reducing the risk of poles, branches and other objects puncturing your head through your helmet.
- Retention system performance – a ski helmet is useless if it falls off or slips. This test ensures your ski helmet stays secure.
- Durability – proving that you won’t be at risk of being hurt by your helmet in the event of a collision or fall.
Another ski helmet safety standard is the ASTM F2040. Set out by the American Society of Testing Materials, the ASTM F2040 certification test consists of the same categories as the EN 1077:2007 but has a more rigorous impact test.
For all ski racing events, your helmet must meet either the ASTM F2040 or the EN 1077 Class A standards – except for slalom racing helmets, which can be Class B. In addition to meeting safety certification standards, helmets for ski racing must also bear the FCS “RH 2013” sticker to be suitable for events.
MIPS Ski Helmet Technology
Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) are designed to protect your head from more than one direction, reducing the rotational force on the head when falling or rolling.
A standard helmet will protect your head when falling straight or on a flat surface, but in most collisions, you’ll be hitting the ground at an angle.
A traditional ski helmet usually consists of 3 layers; a soft internal layer, a shock absorbing layer, and a hard external shell.
A MIPS ski helmet has the same layers as a traditional helmet, with the addition of a special, yellow, low-friction layer that allows the helmet to shift with the direction of impact, without the helmet slipping off your head.
A MIPS brain protection system ski helmet has:
- A soft inner layer that sits comfortably on your head, holding your helmet in place in a crash or fall.
- A yellow low-friction layer that allows the shock absorbing layer and hard shell to move relative to the position of your head. If you are falling at an angle, the MIPS brain protection system matches the angle of your fall, providing greater protection at the point where your head will hit the ground, reducing the chance of injury.
- A shock absorbing layer which lessens the force of impact, preventing skull fractures and brain injuries.
- A hard outer shell which prevents punctures, stopping objects from puncturing your head in a fall.
We offer a range of MIPS ski helmets from popular brands such as Sweet Protection and POC.
When to Buy a New Ski Helmet?
All skiers should regularly replace their helmets, as technology evolves, helmets can become outdated and may not provide the best protection. Experts recommend replacing your ski helmet every 3-5 years of use to ensure your helmet meets the most current safety standards. Any helmets older than 8 years should be replaced, even if they haven’t been used.
In addition, if your ski helmet has been in storage when you haven’t been using it, the materials may have degraded over time, especially if not stored correctly – for example in damp conditions or exposed to sunlight – as this can damage the materials your ski helmet is made from, reducing the protective abilities. Before using your ski helmet, you should check it thoroughly for any signs of damage. If it looks worn or damaged, it’s time to buy a new helmet.
Another key factor in deciding when to get a new helmet is fit. If your ski helmet doesn’t fit properly, there’s a risk it will come off your head in a fall or a crash. This is especially important for young skiers, as children grow quickly and may need their ski helmet replacing more regularly. Our helmets are sized in centimetres, letting you choose the right size easily. Simply measure around your head using a flexible tape measure – keeping it as level as possible. If you don’t have a flexible tape measure, you can wrap a piece of string around your head and cut it, then measure the length of the string to work out the circumference of your head.
You should also replace your ski helmet after a crash. If you’ve been in a collision previously, your helmet may have been damaged. Even if your helmet looks fine, there may be internal damage that you can’t see. Your helmet must be replaced after an accident!
You should get a new ski helmet:
- If your helmet is worn or damaged
- After an accident
- If your helmet is loose
- If your helmet is too tight
- If it’s been used for more than 3 years
- If it’s older than 8 years (even if it hasn’t been used)
The Final Verdict?
Ski helmets are vital to prevent lifelong injuries, not matter if you’re a regular skier or just enjoy skiing occasionally.
Our wide range of ski helmets suit skiers of any level of experience.
If you’re having trouble knowing how to choose a ski helmet, our friendly team are here to give you advice anytime, simply contact us!
