Do Beginner Skiers Need Helmets?

Trips to the snow as a kid are always fun-filled days of snowball fights and snowman making competitions. All good stuff as a youngster, but when you hit your teens you start to feel the urge for something more than building yet another large and robust snowman.

Skiing the freshly fallen snow will surely provide the adrenaline rush you yearn. Of course, if it’s your first time strapping on skis, there’s a bit of a learning curve, not to mention the matter of do beginner skiers need helmets?

While some may think that beginners wearing a helmet when skiing is a bit of an overkill, there are several good reasons for wearing one anyway.

Do Beginner Skiers Need Helmets?

While some may think that beginners wearing a helmet when skiing is a bit of an overkill, there are several good reasons for wearing one anyway.

Many veteran skiers out there would shrug off the suggestion that a beginner skier would need a helmet when skiing, mostly because they move around so slowly, getting used to the balance and feel of the skis. 

Other veterans would say the opposite. There’s no telling what a newbie might get up to and head protection is paramount. If you see a beginner skier flying down the slopes, they’ve either lost control or they’re not a beginner.

Some will get the hang of it pretty quickly, finding their way to the intermediate slopes in no time.

Others, however, will spend the entire day practicing how to brake, otherwise known as snow plowing or a “snow plow turn”.

While it’s difficult to gather data, since ski resorts and their local communities are under no compulsion to release data, deaths were up during the 2020-2021 season, according to the NSAA (National Ski Areas Association).

However, skiing deaths remain exceedingly rare, and the exact cause of death in each of the incidents isn’t always clear.

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Why Wear A Ski Helmet?

There are several reasons for wearing a helmet when skiing, and not all of them are even safety-related, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned vet. 

• Number one is safety since a helmet can significantly reduce how severe a head injury could be
• Surprisingly enough, they help keep your ears warm
• You can mount cameras on it, like a Go Pro
• They help your goggles fit better
• They make you stand out on the slopes better

There are more reasons but for the sake of time and space, those are the most important and popular reasons to wear a helmet when skiing.

Are Helmets Mandatory For Skiing?

No, there aren’t any mandatory laws at either the state or federal level that require skiers to wear helmets and there are ski resorts in over 30 states.

However, it’s not really a matter of whether or not you are breaking the law and more a matter of personal responsibility and common sense.

Going even 15 miles per hour down a slope and coming to a dead stop against a tree is going to cause internal damage and the two most important things to protect are your head and your heart.

What Percentage Of Skiers Wear Helmets?

According to the NSAA (National Ski Areas Association), 87% of skiers wore helmets during the 2020-2021 skiing season. Not only is that good for safety purposes, but it also makes those who don’t wear helmets stand out. 

One way to get people to wear a helmet when skiing is to make them stick out like a sore thumb. Peer pressure through simple action is an enormous incentive, especially when it comes to something as simple as putting on a helmet.

Can You Ski Without A Helmet?

You can certainly ski without a helmet. As we discussed above, there are no laws against it. In fact, you will probably find that most ski resorts won’t spend any time harping on you about it. You can also parachute without parachute straps but it’s not like that makes any sense.

Will A Bike Helmet Work For Skiing?

At the end of the day? Probably not as effective as you would like but there are helmets that are manufactured with dual certifications for both biking and skiing or snowboarding. However, these are basically snowboarding and skiing helmets first and bicycle helmets second.

If you really want to use your bike helmet, perhaps you should read our article ‘Can You Wear A Bike Helmet Skiing‘ for suggestions about that.

VIDEO: How To Measure For A Ski Helmet

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How To Wear A Ski Helmet

Wearing a ski helmet is not much different than putting on any other type of helmet. The first thing that you want to do is find one that fits you tight, snug, and comfortably. You don’t want it to give you headaches but you want it to be secure.

IMPORTANT: How to Know Your Helmet Size

Whether you purchase it or rent one at the available shops at most ski resorts, you find the best fit and ensure that the chin strap is tight and stable underneath your chin. To be assured of a proper fit, take a look at our article ‘How Should a Ski Helmet Fit‘ for more specific advice.

How To Wear A Ski Helmet With Long Hair

All hair does is change the shape and size specs for a helmet to fit properly. If you wear your hair up when you find the right fit, keep it that way. The same goes for if you wear your hair down when you fit your helmet.

All Things Considered

Beginner skiers don’t need helmets when skiing, however, it’s advisable to wear one, mostly for safety purposes. However, feel free to make it personal as well, with your own design art and mountable cameras. Who said wearing a safety helmet had to be boring?

If you’re in the market for a top-quality helmet with EPP foam lining, then take a look at these helmets. But, if you’d be happy with a helmet for under 50USD (fully certified), then you might like one of these helmets.

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