The National Ski Areas Association reports in 2010 that 57 percent of all skiers and boarders in the United States wear helmets. With new styles and colors available, women helmet wearers can make a fashion statement while protecting themselves from injuries. Helmets also keep your head warm, and some even play your favorite tunes as you cruise down the slopes.
Function
Ski helmets for women cradle the head and help protect skiers from head injuries. Skiers traveling at high speeds may lose control and crash into trees or lift towers. Or they may fall backward and hit their heads on the hard surface of the snow. The hard plastic shell of the helmet offers the first level of protection, while a polystyrene core absorbs the shock of a fall. The quilted or plush lining adds comfort and warmth to the helmet.
Safety
Dr. Stewart Levy, chief of neurosurgery at St. Anthony's Hospital in Denver, told CNN that, after studying skier injuries and helmet use from 1998 to 2005, he concluded wearing a ski helmet can cut risk of serious head injury by 75 percent. Helmets don't completely eliminate fatalities because other factors come into play such as the speed of the skier, the riskiness of the terrain and the type of accident. The National Ski Areas Association reports 39 people died while skiing at ski resorts in the United States during the 2008-2009 ski season. Twelve of those fatalities were women. Only eight of the people who died wore helmets.
Styles
Forget buying a man's helmet in a small size. Women can choose helmets designed just for them, in fashion colors or with detailed graphics. Choose from bucket styles to more aerodynamic racing helmets or helmets with small brims in front, almost like a ball cap. Fur-lined snap in earflaps will keep you toasty on freezing days, while vents in the front and sides of the helmet let in fresh air when the season warms up. Some helmets feature speakers and i-Pod jacks. If you choose one of these helmets, make sure you stay aware of your surroundings to ski safely.
Fitting
Your ski helmet should fit snugly on your head. The top of the helmet in the front should rest against your forehead, above your eyebrows. With the chin strap fastened, shake your head. The helmet shouldn't shift around. A loose helmet won't do a good job of protecting you. Women should take into account how you wear your hair while skiing. If you braid your hair in a coil on top of your head or stuff it under a bandanna, wear it this way when you try on a helmet. Hairstyles can affect the fit of the helmet. You also need to make sure your goggles will fit your helmet. Most helmets feature a latch to secure your goggles strap and some have an indentation or groove the strap sits in when you position the goggles over your eyes. Try on the helmet with the goggles to make sure everything is comfortable and fits properly.
Care
Protect your helmet from scratches by storing it in a soft cloth bag when not in use. This is especially important if you leave your goggles attached to the helmet between wearings. Superficial scratches won't affect the helmet's ability to protect your skull, but they could detract from your brain bucket's appearance. Clean the outside of your helmet with mild soap and water. You can spot-clean the inside of your helmet, but don't immerse it in water or attempt to remove the lining. If you suffer a hard fall that dents your helmet, or if you notice any cracks, replace the helmet. Dents compress the interior foam, decreasing its effectiveness as a shock absorber, while small cracks could lead to the helmet splitting into pieces next time you fall.
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