Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous, and it is not only in the are of racing that rough crashes lead to injuries, they can also happen on flat slopes. Be it due to overestimating yourself or the carelessness of others. To prevent injuries to your head as good as possible, you should ALWAYS wear a ski helmet. 

Be it in deep powder, the steepest runs, in the park or on the beginners’ lift. In all areas of winter sport: on-piste skiing, snowboard, freeride ski, freestyle ski, touring ski or when going sledding. Today, ski helmets have become the standard. Very rarely, you see people without helmets and certainly, this is no longer viewed as cool. Because ski helmets do not only guard your head, they are also comfortable, good looking and offer a bunch of additional features! 

The ski helmet is not just a simple shell around your head

On the market, there are two different kinds of ski helmet constructions: in-mold and hardshell. Both have their pros and cons.

In-mold system ski helmet: Here, the outer and inner shell are formed in one step. The outer shell is very thin, which is why this helmet weighs a little less. Furthermore, the ventilation is easier, because as with bike helmets, you have large openings which are easily opened and closed using sliders.

Hardshell helmet: The thicker outer shell made of hard plastic or carbon is clogged with the inner shell. The helmets weigh a bit more, but also offer a bit more protection. These can also be ventilated, although it is a little more complicated: The airstream basically flows through the two shells, removing heat. As these helmets offer some additional protection, they are commonly used in racing.

What they both have in common: the structure of the helmet and its layers can get hairline cracks or other damages in case of a crash, even when not visible. This is why you should always replace your helmet after a hard fall.

Some helmets have the addition MIPS in their name. This stands for “multi-directional impact protection system”. This system reduced rotational motion, absorbs and redirects rotational energies and forces. This forces occur when hits happen not in a 90 degree angle, but in a different angle. This system makes the helmet a bit heavier and more expensive, but certainly safer as the chance of having a concussion is decreased.