If you’ve read The Brave Ski Mom for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that our entire family wears helmets: ski helmets, bike helmets, hockey helmets, lacrosse helmets and helmets when skateboarding. If we climbed, we’d wear helmets then, too. We LOVE helmets.
It wasn’t always this way. My husband and I didn’t wear ski helmets until we had children. But once we helmeted up, we’ve never looked back. I am so used to my helmet that I feel naked without it (I feel this way about my bike helmet and seatbelts, too). I hope, and pray, my kids feel this way, too.
Before we go on, if a child in your life needs a new ski or snowboarding helmet, scroll down to the bottom of this post and leave a comment to win a Junior Helmet from Giro and Ski N’ See ski shops!
Some Questions and Answers About Ski Helmets
Do Ski Helmets Help Prevent Head Injury?
Yes. Research conducted over the past 20 years shows that children under age 15 are more likely to suffer a head injury while skiing or snowboarding than any other age group. For kids in this group, a helmet can can prevent or reduce the severity of the injury by 53%. The same studies, cited by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, show a 44% prevention and reduction in injury amongst adults.
Similar results came from Swedish study that predicted a 50% reduction in head injuries sustained while skiing and riding with helmet use. (Source: MomsTeam)
Helmets. Not just for racers — for all kids!
Do Ski Helmets Prevent Concussions?
No. According to The Concussion Blog, ski helmets do a good job of preventing skull fractures, but they do not prevent concussions.
One statistic that I’ve heard, but have been unable to find anywhere, is that a helmet will help prevent a concussion resulting from impacts up to 13 mph. Over 13 mph, a concussion can still occur.
13 mph is not a super-fast speed. Still, I like having something between our heads and the ground and good, solid, well-made ski helmets are the something I choose.
Also, if you, or your child, do sustain a concussion, take Lindsey Vonn’s lead and don’t ski until you are cleared by your doctor.
Which Sports Cause the Most Concussions in Kids?
Football and hockey. Yes, football and hockey cause the most concussions among young athletes engaged in team sports. But before you get complacent, snow skiing, bicycling and playgrounds account for the most concussions from individual activities. Interestingly, about one-half of concussions in children ages 8-19 are sports related, with 40% of these concussions occurring in kids ages 8-13.
Girls are also more likely to sustain concussions than boys. According to pediatric sports injury specialist Mark E. Halstead, MD, of Children’s Hospital St. Louis, ”In my experience, girls also tend to be more aggressive in their sports than guys.” (Source: WebMD) You go, girls! But, when appropriate, wear a helmet.
Can Helmets Hurt a Child’s Spine or Neck?
No. Kids have a greater head to body weight ratio, which has raised questions about whether or not a helmet can be harmful to young spines, especially to the cervical vertebrae.
According to another article at MomsTeam, research shows no evidence of an increased risk of spine or neck injury from ski helmets. Your child will not become a bobble-head.
Do Helmets Reduce a Child’s Ability to See or Hear?
No. The article referenced above also puts to rest any concern about children having impaired hearing, or a reduced field of vision, from ski helmets. While ski goggles have been shown to lengthen visual reaction time slightly, helmets alone, do not.
Who Wears Helmets?
Smart, Skilled Skiers and Riders. Here’s a fun fact to have on hand if you have a child who resists wearing a ski helmet. A study by the British Medical Journal found that “more skilled skiers and snowboarders” are likely to wear helmets than their less skilled counterparts.
Clearly, if you want to show your stease, a helmet is a necessary accessory.
How Can We Prevent Head Injuries from Snowsports?
Avoid Accidents. The best way to prevent a head injury from skiing or snowboarding is to avoid accidents. Hitting the ground is the leading cause of snowsports-related injury (74% as compared to 10-13% from hitting trees, people or other stationary objects).
Here are some common-sense tips for avoiding all injuries on snow.
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Image courtesy National Ski Areas Assocation.
Choose the right equipment. Make sure that your boots and bindings fit and work properly.
- Learn to ski or snowboard correctly. Take lessons. Don’t ski or snowboard beyond your ability.
- Know The Code. Always ski or snowboard in control and don’t take unnecessary risks.
- Never ski or snowboard alone.
- Wear a helmet.
For more information on helmets and safety, including tips for fitting kids’ helmets and interactive games for kids, please visit LidsOnKids.org.
Ski N’ See Junior Helmet Giveaway
For the third year running, Utah’s Ski N’ See ski shops are sponsoring a Junior Helmet Giveaway for readers of Brave Ski Mom! Ski N’ See is committed to fun and safety for all skiers and snowboarders and are proud to promote helmet use.
This year, one winner will have their choice of a Junior Boys or Junior Girls Slingshot Helmet from Giro. To enter, simply leave a comment below. To double your chances, “like” Ski N’ See on Facebook and let me know that you did. One winner will be chosen by random drawing on Thursday, November 1 at 8:00 a.m. MDT.
Junior Girls Giro Slingshot Helmet . Photo Courtesy Ski ‘N See.
Giro Slingshot Helmet for Junior Boys. Photo courtesy Ski ‘N See.
Good luck!
Related Posts:
- Of Course, You Should Put A Lid On Your Kid, November 18, 2010. (Helmet fitting tips)
- Ski Helmets: Should Kids Have a Choice? October 17, 2011.
Thank you so much to Ski N’ See for sponsoring this Junior Helmet Giveaway. Ski N’ See is our go-to ski shop in Utah for demo skis, discount lift tickets for many Utah resorts and a great selection of gear. You can find their online store at Utahskis.com.
As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends.
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Richard!
© 2012, The Brave Ski Mom. All rights reserved. Republication, in part or entirety, requires permission from the site owner. This applies equally to text and photos.
We need to buy 3 new helmets this year! Hope I can win one of them! Thanks!
Yes, I’m sure winnning one would be a big help! Good luck!
Liked them on FB! We need another helmet now that our youngest has moved into the skier ranks!
So important to have helmets on little ones (every one?)! Thanks for supporting Ski N’ See on Facebook! You’re entered twice.
Great Post!!! I liked them on FB. I’m going to share this on FB. Our youngest is 3 and we almost have our whole family on the slopes now. I have a feeling winters will be different from here on out!
Your winters will be awesome! Thank you so much for liking Ski N’ See and sharing this post! You’re entered twice. Cheers!
GREAT tips. Thank you! Helmets are a MUST for us too – would love to outfit family member #4 for the slopes this year!
So exciting to get everyone on snow! Good luck!
I like them on FB!
You’re entered twice! Thanks!
With a new skier on the house this year I’d love to win this for him! We never let our kiddos on the slopes without a helmet!!
Another new skier! How exciting! Good luck!
oh and I like Ski n See on FB! how can you not – they’re AWESOME!! they’re our favorite rental shop in the SL area!
You are in twice and I agree! I love visiting Ski N’ See when we’re in SLC!
I just found this site… looking forward to exploring it further…
Thanks for visiting! I hope you find lots of great and useful information! If you want stickers, just let me know. They’re free!
Our son will be new to skiing this winter too – will definitely get him a helmet regardless but would of course love to win this one!
You’re off on a new adventure! Good luck!
Kids grow too quickly. Would love to get a new helmet for my almost 8 year old son!
Way too fast! I tried bricks on their heads, but it didn’t work. Soon, I’ll be the shortest in the family! Good luck!
I’m a huge proponent of helmets in the climbing world, it’s nice to see my “snowy” counterparts doing the same!
Thanks Erica! Like I said, if climbed, we’d wear helmets, too!
LOVE the brave ski mom blog! SO fantastic you do this every year! THANK YOU!!
and P.S. Of course I “liked” Ski n See, and shared, too!
You’re entered two times. Thanks!
Thank you Monique! I appreciate the kind words.
Your post is helpful.Were planning to go to Japan.Skiing is one of the adventures we want to do there.I like the tips you shared.I’ll keep those in mind.It is always best to ensure the safety of my family specially my four year old daughter.I highly recommend those helmets.
Agreed. Hope you have fun in Japan! Cheers.
Great information! Thanks so much.
I hope you have a great ski season! Thanks!
I liked them on Facebook! We’re in the market for a new a ski helmet this year, so it would be great to win one!
Good luck to you! I’ve got you entered twice! Thanks for supporting Ski N’ See!
Could use a new one for sure!
Our whole family wears helmets. The three year old became an independent skier last year! She’d love a cool helmet to show to her older brother and sister.
So exciting for your family! Good luck!
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Well done. You have addressed many of the questions surrounding helmets.
Thanks Melanie!
Very good, calm, and reasoned conversation about ski helmets and snowboard helmets. It’s hard to find careful conversations about this subject – I really appreciate your approach. Thanks!
Thanks Jim! I appreciate you taking the time to share your opinion. Cheers!
Thanks for making it easy for me to understand that our kids need lids, too!
I’m already a fan on Facebook – Jamie Leigh Martin.
Thank you Jamie! Good luck!
With our first hitting the slopes this year, this is just what we need. Many thanks, Brave Ski Mom!
Excellent! Glad to hear you’re getting a helmet for your little one!
Cheers!
My daughters helmet just broke, so this would be awesome!
Sounds like she definitely needs a new one! Good luck!
So excited that the season is near! Thanks for all your research.
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading and commenting! Good luck!
Charlie starts skiing this year!
Then Charlie needs a helmet! Thanks!