What is a good ski helmet for a beginner?
I would like some recommendations for a good quality, reasonably priced ski helmet? Not needed for racing or anything like that, just for a beginner-intermediate skier for use a handful of times per year.
First of all, kudos on wanting a helmet in the first place. I'm a former certified professional ski instructor for a major Rockies resort and know too many expert-level colleagues that have been hurt or killed, even on Beginner runs that could have been prevented with a helmet.
Boeri, Giro, and even Smith make a huge majority of today's ski helmets and really, most of it comes down to preference. Based on your criteria, I would go with one that's light-weight and either doesn't cover the ears or has removable ear pads. If it's not comfortable, you won't wear it and you can always make it warmer with a balaclava.
Try looking at the Giro Seam which has good ventilation and is lightweight or the Boeri Vortex .
Most importantly, let someone that knows what they're doing fit you properly, or it's kind of a moot point...
Enjoy the slopes!
5 Answers
First of all, kudos on wanting a helmet in the first place. I'm a former certified professional ski instructor for a major Rockies resort and know too many expert-level colleagues that have been hurt or killed, even on Beginner runs that could have been prevented with a helmet.
Boeri, Giro, and even Smith make a huge majority of today's ski helmets and really, most of it comes down to preference. Based on your criteria, I would go with one that's light-weight and either doesn't cover the ears or has removable ear pads. If it's not comfortable, you won't wear it and you can always make it warmer with a balaclava.
Try looking at the Giro Seam which has good ventilation and is lightweight or the Boeri Vortex .
Most importantly, let someone that knows what they're doing fit you properly, or it's kind of a moot point...
Enjoy the slopes!
Agreed that it's smart to be wearing a helmet. I've been snowboarding for 13 years, never wearing a helmet, but I just got one last week. Over new years I was in Tahoe and took a bad fall and went flying into a tree stump at about 20 mph. I was lucky not to break anything and I didn't hit my head, but my knee is still recovering(I was wearing kneepads luckily). Anyway, the first thing everyone asked was 'were you wearing a helmet?'. So I decided to get one.
I think Bern makes the best looking helmets. I just bought the Baker Carbon, which is their original helmet, but made out of carbon fiber so it's lighter. It was expensive, but you can find the non-carbon ones for about $50 online. Their EPS foam(read: not hard-hat, this is important) helmets are all CPSC rated for extreme sports.
Burton also makes some good looking and quality helmets from what I've seen.
One more tip, if you haven't already got goggles, be sure to buy some that are compatible with helmets, not all of them are. I have the Spy Zed and they're great.
Helmets are always a good call, but there has always been one dilemma: they look ridiculously stupid on occasion. But no worries, because companies have become aware of this and are starting to make sleeker, more design savvy helmets. The number one problem with past designs? The plain color, round dome that gives you an egg head look. That why I recommend a helmet with a brim. Seems simple, but that design gives the helmet much needed edge, and usually adds to a sleeker/sharper design of the rest of the helmet. You won't get a good helmet for cheap, and shouldn't skimp anyways... its for your safety. I have and recommend a Smith Variant Brim . It comes in a variety of different multi-toned colors and patterns, is incredibly comfortable, and looks good on both young and old riders. You also have the option to add audio which is nice. Hope its not too expensive for your budget, happy riding.
I've gone through a lot, and like James said - most make you look like a stupid 4 year old with his eggshell styrofoam dome on a tricycle.
But, I found my favorite this season. Bern makes some great gear, and I am in love with their Watts model helmet.
Image on me:
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Anything by Giro and Leedom is great. I use the Fuse (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,75653_Giro-Fuse-Snowsport-Helmet.html) and got it on Sierra trading post onsale. They make it with bluetooth and such, but it's not worth the $$ to me. If you get hot while skiing it's great because it vents very well. If, on the other hand you often get cold I would go for something for less vents. Something more full, like this (http://www.leedomhelmets.com/frame_load.php?id=prophet)