HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SKI HELMET?

A central element in the prevention of ski accidents, helmets are increasingly adopted by skiers and snowboarders whatever their level. It's time for you too to catch up and find out how to choose your ski helmet.

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How does a ski helmet work?

The ski helmet is obviously an asset for your safety, but it should also keep you warm (but not too warm) during all your outings on the slopes. To ensure these two missions and protect you from rocks, trees, falls of all kinds but also from the cold, the ski helmet is composed of two parts.

The exterior consists of a rigid surface that resists impacts and sharp objects while dispersing the force of the impact over its entire surface. Underneath is a lining that acts as a shock absorber. Often made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), it absorbs the impact by compressing itself. It is covered with a foam, often removable for easy maintenance, which will insulate you from the cold.

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Choosing your ski helmet: a question of size

The first thing to do before choosing your ski helmet is to know your head size. Are you wondering how to measure the size of your head? Nothing could be easier! Just get a tape measure and run it around your skull, passing just above your ears, eyebrows and over the occiput, the widest part of the skull at the back of the head. You can also measure the size of your head with a simple tape. You will then just need to measure it flat with a ruler or tape measure.

To know if you have chosen the right size of ski helmet, put it on and shake your head: your helmet should not move. Furthermore, you should be able to put on your goggles or sunglasses without any hindrances. Finally, you should feel your head being held on, but without any feeling of compression, either in the skull or in the jaw.

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Finding the right ventilation for your ski helmet

In order to choose your ski helmet, you need to find the model that will keep you warm, but not too warm! Depending on the intensity of your efforts, the season, but also your propensity to sweat from the head, you will have to choose a ski helmet that has the right ventilation. Depending on the number of openings present in the shell, ventilation will be more or less important. Between 2 and 8 holes, ventilation is considered good and beyond that, optimal. You can also choose a helmet with active ventilation where you can close some openings to adapt the incoming air flow to your needs.

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There is such a thing as a lightweight helmet.

Once you've found the right size of ski helmet, and decided what type of ventilation will suit you, comes the question of weight. Many skiers talk about how heavy some equipment is. Great progress has been made in this area with the introduction of "In Mold" helmets. This technology allows the outer shell to be fused with the inner EPS layer, which implies a significant weight saving, but also allows for a more efficient ventilation system and shock wave diffusion.

Don't panic though, choosing your ski helmet with a classic moulding (more affordable financially) will not imply a heavy helmet as, for an adult helmet, 520g or more is considered normal weight and many classic models fall into this category.

For skiers looking for ever lighter weight, you'll want to look at accessories weighing between 450g and 520g for a lightweight helmet and 360g to 450g for a so-called very lightweight model of ski helmet in size L.

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Choosing a ski helmet with or without a visor

The other advantage of a ski helmet is that it can allow you to glide without a goggle or sunglasses. For example, eyeglass wearers who don't like to hit the slopes with lenses will gravitate towards a visor helmet that allows them to wear their own glasses. In addition, many ski helmets are sold with different visors; a good way to ski in any weather with optimal protection. For those who already own a ski mask, then the visorless option is the way to go.

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Interesting options for choosing your ski helmet

• Lining: for hygiene and maintenance purposes, it is best to choose a ski helmet with a removable lining in order to wash them easily.
• Adjustable pads: this option allows you to use more or less of the padding to "mould" the inside of your helmet to the shape of your head, but also to have more or less insulation against the cold.
• The integrated camera: in order to take advantage of all the technology implemented to protect your head, it is recommended not to attach a camera to your ski helmet. If you want to film your exploits on or off-piste, head for a helmet with a built-in camera.
• The smart ski helmet: to track your performance in real time, you'll find ski helmets that give you various statistics such as your speed, distance covered or even altitude.
• The communication: to stay connected even on the summits, there are ski helmets with built-in microphone, Bluetooth and audio system to take your calls and listen to your favourite songs. Helmets with integrated audio kit in the ear pads will allow you to connect to your smartphone for musical interludes during a hot wine break.

While wearing a ski helmet is not compulsory, it has established itself as an essential safety measure. To choose your ski helmet, all you need is a little patience to measure the size of your head and then you can hit the slopes perfectly protected.