Helmets

I've been riding for almost 20 years. And the second year I was skiing my mom dumped a helmet on my lid and said, "If I ever catch you without this on, it's goodbye skis and goodbye season's pass." So, even though it felt like I was the only loser on the mountain with a neon race helmet, I kept it.

About 9 years ago, I suffered another big fall in a park. I snapped my humerus and broke my hand... two surgeries and many months later I was finally able to get out on skis... water skis. My doctor explained that estimating from the severity of the injuries I sustained, had I not been wearing a helmet I would almost certainly be a vegetable today. Knowing that, and also losing one of my brothers to a brain injury it's nothing to mess around with.

Even though I don't ski much park anymore I always wear one. But this thread is missing a KEY POINT, wear a properly rated helmet that FITS YOU. Seeing some park riders with just a skate helmet over a thin beanie or flat brim is not going to protect you nearly as well as a snug helmet.

As with most people in this thread I've had some of my worst crashes doing simple things, and gotten away unscathed from what seemed like certain tragedy.

If you don't wear one, that's fine, be careful. If you do wear one, wear one that fits, and be careful. It's not a superman's cape, it's just helmet.
 
I had a phase when I didn't wear a helmet but I quickly got over that. It wasn't that I thought I looked cool without one, it was just a different experience. I always wear a helmet now.
 
I love skiing without a helmet. Of course, I only do when I'm not pushing myself at all, and taking laps on pow days. Always wear a helmet in the park! there have been falls that if I weren't wearing a helmet, I would have had substantial brain damage.

However, I don't think there should be rules enforcing it. It's a person's own choice, and their decision to not wear a helmet only affects them.
 
being tall, I have been SMASHED many times by people that just throw the lift bar down without thinking. For this reason alone, I would wear a helmet.
 
Why do pros wear helmets in the park, then not wear one hitting urban or in the back country? that's dumb. in 10 years your body isn't going to work nearly as well, so you are going to have to rely on your brain. i don't want a fucked up head in addition to fucked up knees.
 
The only time i've skied without a helmet i felt extremely sketched out and couldn't try any hard tricks
 
Helmets are cool. Head injuries are not.

Just a few months ago my roommate had what looked to be an average crash at the skatepark. Turns out if he wasnt wearing a helmet/got to the hospital an hour later, he could have died. He suffered a subderal hemitoma, his brain was bleeding inside his skull.

Even minor crashes can have serious consequences.

Helmets should be enforced, at least inside the park, because not all crashes are your fault. We have all been cut off or had to dodge someone; just because your in control does not mean everyone around you is.

If your concerned about looks check out the Giro Revolver helmet, thats what I have and it sits nice and low on your head.
 
Just make sure to get one that fits your domeskull...

I've been using an improperly fitting helmet for the last 4 years and finally bought a new one that actually fits well. it won't be sliding around on my head anymore, thank shit.

either way, just get a helmet. Even if it's just a Bern Hard Hat, it's still waaay better than nothing.
 
never really worn one and never really will. Only thing that will get me to wear one is if i dont like the angle from the chest mounted gopro.

 
I got a concussion last summer diving into a pool and hitting my head on the bottom. I cant even imagine what would have happened to me if my mom didnt force me to wear a helmet in public,

Thanks Mom!
 
"Hey man how did you get that concussion?"

"I chose not to wear a helmet, because I wanted to appear more gangster while partaking in a sport most popular among white middle and upper class kids."
 
I have gotten a concussion while wearing a helmet, and I am glad i was wearing it because i probably wouldnt be skiing ever again.
 
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA well played.

I keep telling myself that I want to ski without a helmet...and then I keep talking myself out of it. The only thing skiing without a helmet will do for me is encourage my pre-skiing laziness and make my head colder. Believe it or not, the plastic of a helmet makes a great windshield. Knit hats don't cut it midwinter on the ice coast.
 
I highly recommend wearing a helmet to everyone. I have suffered 5 concussions, and 2 of them from skiing. I'm lucky that they were somewhat spread out in terms of time or else i would be dead
 
Sick thread, BUT, if you crash once, EVEN JUST ONCE, you need to CHANGE that helmet! Was skiing with a friend one time, his helmet was too old, got a concussion (and a pretty bad one too). If you hit your helmet hard enough, it might NOT protect you after! (Obviously poles hits and stuff doesn't matter)

!!!!!!!
 
I have pictures now.

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