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Helmet thread: I thought this was longer and all issues were presented. However that may have been an old Epic Ski thread.
1) Instructors at Liberty Mountain where I work are not required to wear helmets yet. We hear news of a change. Neither are our customers, kids, teens or adults. We do rent them to the public at a CRAZY $7:00 per day fee. That makes me sad. I hate it when moms/dads ask if their kids need a helmet. I feel the need to say yes, because I believe it, but also feel like they spent tons of money and dont need to shell out more. Been to other resorts where helmets are simply handed to kids, no rent.
2) Instructors and ALL class members are required to wear a helmet in the T-park.
3) Most helmets are "one time damage" per the mfgr specs/warnings. That said, I think it is reasonable to look at the foam to see if it was negatively affected. Dont take my advice, do your own analysis. I would think that a major hit would get me to replace the helmet whether it looked bad or not. A minor hit, I'd look.
4) I have had mixed results with customers who report helmet returns when damaged. Discounts, free replacements and nasty...."go get a new one, what do you want us to do, you damaged it" I think it is less on the mfgr and more on 1) the customer service rep, 2) the story of how it got damaged, 3) whether the story has "wow" internet public affairs value.
I started wearing a helmet for warmth. Grew to love it and need it like my security blanket. I know I ski faster and do more stupid things because I am wearing it; I also know that it won't protect me from all harm. I feel there is a false sense of security, I hear kids say they would not do xyz, but since they have a helmet they will/do. I now wear mine, even on hot days when I am teaching green kids, out of a do as I do leadership position. I respect and understand instructors and clinicians who do not wear helmets, citing the many reasons including decreased visibility/flexibility, which I also agree with. I recently chose a BRIGHT red helmet for my students to see me. It works and I find my job of collecting kids to be easier when they come to me, rather than follow an instructor who otherwise looks like me. Our hill is very crowded with guests and instructors, it is easy to get mixed up.
At the Gore pondskimming contest this year they required helmets for all participants. However they did not tell us before hand. I debated the safety issues with helmets and water on my own before the contest. My mind told me it was safer to hit the water without a helmet and left my kids at the base. I got to ski down and hike up immediately before we went...thanks. Once I returned, out of breath, they delivered helmets for participants to use, free. I cannot tell you why I think it might be safer to fall/swim without a helmet, just seems safter. That said, I understand Gore's approach and demand. Likely insurance driven. However they did not have a person or two with a swimming pool hook? This is standard equipment at all of the other skims we attended. (4 this year) Its very hard for kids to swim out of a pond in skis.
I agree that helmet debate discussion should be limited to this thread/or similar on topic threads. Especially when a person is severaly injured or dies. Helmet or no helmet.
I had two very bad falls this year. I was going very, very fast when both occured. Carving black groomed trails at max speed the skis, hill and my technique would allow. Over 40mph for sure, ski app said 60mph but who cares--it was fast. One fall, a din release when I had my outside ski loaded and it sank in a foot of groomed sugar. The other fall occured when I hit a rut that the NASTAR keepers did not plow away when they tore down the race. (this really pissed me off, the rut was a good 6" deep) Both resulted in me sliding well over 80 yards with either one or two skis, unable to arrest until I went off trail into softer snow. I did not hit a trees that existed in either case, nor did I hit my head on the snow/ice when I went down. As I was sliding, I vividly recalled my family, how stupid I was for not running the course before going the speeds I was going and that I was glad I was wearing a helmet. The helmet may not have done much but I was glad it was on. That said, perhaps if I was not wearing it, I would have skied slower or checked out the course first. Ying/Yang. Chicken/Egg God forbid, if I ever do get injured or die from a head accident while skiing, I don't want my friends/family/or you all saying...."if only he wore a helmet"
Aside, I also road bike and HATE those helmets. I have seen lots of car impacts, ditch falls and down right nasty falls off bikes, especially when foot clips are used. Lots of crushed helmets and bloody faces. As much as I hate these helmets, I strap it on for even a quick ride around the neighborhood, likely where most accidents occur.
For both helmets, they must be worn chin strap tight. A worse injury could occur otherwise.
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I posted that for science and physics purposes only.
