4kids4me Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 This is the first year that the ski resort we go to insists that everyone wear a helmet. I bought our family helmets at Costco and are going skiing tomorrow. My question is: do we need to wear hats under our helmets, or are the helmets warm enough by themselves? I've heard you don't need hats, but I'd hate to get caught at the top of a hill with a huge wind chill and wishing we'd brought something warmer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linders Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 The helmets are intended to fit snugly to protect you, so you really can't wear a hat underneath. On cold days, make sure to close the vents on top (took me a season to figure that out), and on really cold days, one of those silky balaclavas works underneath. Have fun, major envy here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Helmets without hats here. Goggles and a neck sock help you stay warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 That's interesting that the ski resort insists on helmets; liability issues, I suppose. That wouldn't go over well at all at our local area, where rules are made to be broken.;) Any-hoo, as with a bike helmet, a hat shouldn't be worn with a ski/snowboard helmet. Like linders said, use a balaclava under the helmet if cold is an issue. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chai Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I think that helmets are warmer than hats. With goggles and a neck warmer, you should be just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet in Toronto Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 When it gets really cold here, our guys wear a balaclava or beanie with ear warmers that are designed to wear under the helmet. Otherwise, a neckwarmer does the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBC Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Yup. What they said. Helmets keep your head nice and warm. I'm even wearing one now, and I like that my head doesn't itch the way it does with a hat. Lori ETA: Well, I'm not wearing one right now, but when I ski I wear one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvbnhome Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 We just went skiing with the family. My ds13, begged not to wear a helmet. After skiing about 3-4 hours, he took a VERY nasty fall backward, head bobbed back and bounced forward, complete with skis falling off, resulting in whipflash. He was ok, just a little sore the next few days. I just wanted to tell you that when we got to the car, he said, "Thank you so much for making me wear my helmet, because I really didn't want to" ...Ahhhh Joy to a mother's heart :) tough love is okay :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4kids4me Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 Thanks for the replies. Colleen, this is the first year that helmet are mandatory. I guess for the safety factor. That kind of thing bugs dh (who didn't wear a bike helmet as a child and still refuses to wear one), but maybe it's best. Ok, so we'll wear hats in the van, but take them off and just wear the helmets on the hill...no looking dumb for this family! lol ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Colleen, this is the first year that helmet are mandatory. I guess for the safety factor. That kind of thing bugs dh (who didn't wear a bike helmet as a child and still refuses to wear one), but maybe it's best. Dr. Jasper Shealy has studied ski injuries for 30 years. He testified before the committee that his statistics show that helmets don't protect the head against high-speed impacts and youngsters wearing helmets may take more risks and ski faster than they should because of a false sense of security provided by the helmet. Pulled that out of an old article that pertained to a New Jersey legislator's push for mandatory ski/snowboard helmets. I've read the same info re increased speed & risk-tasking in other studies. Which isn't to say I'm flat-out against helmets. My boys wear them. But I believe it's wrong for ski areas to mandate them ~ and would be even more wrong for states to legislate the issue. I know around here, the vast majority of injuries and fatalities stem from people who insist on going outside the boundaries or head into areas that are roped off due to exposed boulders, etc. Sometimes safety gear only serves to increase the frequency of those poor judgment calls, kwim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I know around here, the vast majority of injuries and fatalities stem from people who insist on going outside the boundaries or head into areas that are roped off due to exposed boulders, etc. Sometimes safety gear only serves to increase the frequency of those poor judgment calls, kwim? I do agree that they shouldn't be mandatory, but most deaths here at the ski areas are preventable head injuries. They are not people with helmets. And the mandatory anecdotal evidence: my ds broke his collarbone two years ago on his snowboard - he was at the bottom of a run waiting for his cousin and was hit by another boarder that didn't even stop. In addition to his broken collar bone, he had a pretty severe concussion that would have been prevented or at least lessened of he had been wearing a helmet. He still has no memory of the accident. All my kids own ski/board helmets and goggles and wear them. My hubby doesn't wear a helmet. You can also rent helmets instead of buying if you are only going to ski for a few days of the year. I'm not sure that its beneficial for my 3 foot tall 4yo to wear a helmet on the tiny-kiddy hills - I don't think she could get very hurt if she fell from her height. My 6'5" son hasn't had a concussion snowboarding since we started required helmets, and he has take quite a few spills at the terrain parks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet in Toronto Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 he has take quite a few spills at the terrain parks. Yep, ever since I watched some video that my sons (17 and 13) and their friends shot of each other boarding at a couple of local terrain parks, I cannot even imagine them not wearing helmets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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