In 2010, Vail Resorts, which owns ski areas in Colorado, California and Nevada issued a new rule. All of its employees must wear ski helmets when skiing on the job. Vail created this rule to encourage guests to follow the employees' example. In a January 2010 article, Stewart Levy, a Denver neurosurgeon who studies snow sport head injuries told the New York Times that wearing a ski helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 50 to 80 percent. Still, some skiers continue to go without them.
Misconceptions
Some people believe that helmets are only required if you are skiing in the trees or on advanced terrain. The 2009 death of Natasha Richardson proves that this is untrue. Richardson was taking a private ski lesson at Mont Tremblant. She was not wearing a helmet. Her fall on an easy green trail caused a subdural hematoma, a brain injury that eventually caused her death. Any type of head-injuring fall, on any type of terrain, can be fatal.
Features
A ski helmet's multilayer design increases it shock-absorbing capabilities. Manufacturers use a polyurethane foam material for the helmet's inner layer. Shock absorption is the middle layer's responsibility. There are two types of middle layer helmet constructions. An in-mold construction molds the helmet's middle layer to the plastic outer shell. When manufacturers design injected-molded helmets, they create an extra, high-impact plastic shell. These helmets are heavier than those with in-mold constructions. They benefit aggressive skiers that ski on advanced terrain. Most ski helmets have padded, adjustable chin straps. Racers use full helmets with plastic face guards. This type of helmet may be too bulky for recreational skiers.
Considerations
Helmets only increase safety if they fit correctly. PHAT, an acronym for Protect Head at All Times, is a ski helmet safety organization that educates snow sport enthusiasts about helmet use. Its experts suggest that a helmet must have a rim that extends about an inch above the eyebrows. It must fit snugly from front to back and side to side. While the shop technicians can make slight adjustments to correct a slightly imperfect fit, never buy a helmet for a child with the expectation that he will grow into it. You should not be able to remove the helmet without undoing the chin strap.
Benefits
People who ski in cold areas need to be concerned about the potential for hypothermia. Keeping your head warm helps keep the rest of your body warm. Ski helmets, especially when combined with goggles, keep your head warmer and dryer than most winter hats.
Warning
While ski helmets may prevent head and brain injuries, skiers and snowboarders should still adhere to the responsibility code. Always ski in control, and avoid terrain that is beyond your proficiency level. Don't ski or ride in tree terrain of you lack the skills for tight, short-radius turns.
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