Making an Informed Decision about a Ski/Snowboard Helmet

By Michele Blandino

It used to be that parents outfitting their kids for a season of skiing or snowboarding made sure they had three essential pieces of equipment: skis (or snowboard), poles and boots. Recently, however, a fourth piece of equipment – the helmet – has surfaced, which, while not essential to participating in the sport, can go a long way toward reducing the likelihood of serious injury.

Yet, despite the tremendous benefits of wearing a ski helmet, many kids will resist their parents’ urges to do so. Their reasons are as varied as their personalities: the helmet doesn’t fit right, doesn’t feel right, doesn’t look cool, none of their friends wear one, the list goes on and on.

Finding the Helmet

There are a number of resources to consult when debating the pros and cons of ski helmet usage. Parents looking for support in convincing their child to wear a ski helmet can visit Lids on Kids. First introduced during the 2002-2003 ski season, this site provides visitors with a comprehensive discussion of the benefits and limitations of helmet use. The National Ski Areas Association also provides resources for those wishing to learn more about ski helmet usage.

Here are some of the ideas presented from these and other sites that may help parents convince their kids to strap on a helmet before hitting the slopes:

• Start young. If this is the first winter your child is hitting the slopes, present the helmet as a requirement and not an option. By establishing this habit from the beginning, your child will be more likely to maintain it in their teenaged years.
• Let older kids personalize their helmet with stickers. If they are able to add their own touch to the helmet, they just might be more inclined to wear it.
• If you ski or snowboard, purchase a helmet for yourself. Setting an example to your child may make it easier for them to accept your decision that they wear one as well.

Be Sure of the Fit

It’s also important to remember that a helmet needs to fit properly in order to do its job. Therefore, it’s best to buy your child his or her own helmet rather then relying on rental shops. While employees of ski rental shops should be trained in making sure everyone receives a proper fit, their inventories are typically limited, particularly on weekends and holiday periods, making it quite possible that your child will end up with an ill-fitting helmet or no helmet at all.