Just let other people do what they want, you wearing a helmet and skiing sets a precedent in general but don't expect others to feel the same way you do.

eheathJust let other people do what they want, you wearing a helmet and skiing sets a precedent in general but don't expect others to feel the same way you do.

Word. I def have a different mindset approaching em. I do respect the no helmet homies just cause you always gotta fully commit

You should wear a helmet if you feel better and safer while wearing one. Don't worry about what others think, especially if you feel you ski better with one. At the same time, let everyone do their own thing if it doesn't effect you. Everyone should just be free ride the way they want, helmet or no helmet.

Phil Casabon once said " If I wear a helmet I'm planning to hit my head, and if I don't put it on Im not planning on doing so"

unless your doing ridiculous gaps or learning spins on, some preseason PVC setup is probably one of the least likely spots your going to hit your head

your not a pussy if you wear a helmet but it's not at all unreasonable for someone to be just as comfortable doing all 8 on a pvc rail 8 inches off the ground as they are walking down the street

helmet beanie once again

I've hated every ski helmet I've owned and think most helmets you can buy are ugly or make your head look like a marshmallow. I still wear mine like 99% of the time though.

Every trend ever in skiing is imported from skating. Cool boy street skaters never wear helmets so cool boy skiers don't wear one. I never understood trying to look cool while skiing because to anyone who doesn't ski you will look like a clown no matter how hard you try not to.

stupidity really does be the fit nowadays tbh

jackjstupidity really does be the fit nowadays tbh

ye bruv u not wearing a helmet roight

Personally I will always wear a helmet no matter what. There's been multiple times where it saved me from possibly dying or a guaranteed concussion.

I never understood the mindset that you only need to wear one when you're trying a new trick cause some of my hardest falls have been doing a trick I've done hundreds of times before.

Not being able to remember your own name is kinda cool though

For me it doesn’t matter so much the tricks I’m doing as the features I’m hitting. Average day in the park it stays on as I’m not sure what stupid shit I’ll inevitably try. Preseason jibs and ropetow park I’m generally a hat guy unless there is a rail jam where I tend to get a little more wild. It’s all about balance

The neighbor kid down the street has permanent brain damage from a ski accident,....

I bought a helmet and started wearing it after meeting him,.....

Broke my helmet in a crash last spring, got knocked out, tore up my shoulder,..... I'm not sure I lived if I hadn't had it.

But, it's a free country, each to their own.

The Stept guys don’t wear them so why should I?

Neither does Steve Stept and he is related to them.

I hit my head enough outside of skiing to wear one pretty much no matter what when I'm skiing. No one wants to wear a helmet sailing but the one time you get nailed by the boom is fucking awful so I wear one when it's above like 20 kts.

Ethan_pollock3Phil Casabon once said " If I wear a helmet I'm planning to hit my head, and if I don't put it on Im not planning on doing so"

I only wear a seat belt if I plan on crashing.

Honestly I don't understand why people give a fuck and bring this up in the first place. I do and don't wear a helmet and same with people I ski with. That being said I don't think differently or say anything to anyone as they can make their own decisions. Were all adults let everyone do what they want. I assume no one gave a fuck that you were wearing a helmet, so carry on and have fun with everyone. At the end of the day just let people make their own decisions. If you feel it's smart to wear a helmet then do so. Who cares what everyone else does, it shouldn't change anything. The problem I have is If you go somewhere and see a bunch of people not wearing helmets so you take yours off and vice versa. Stick to your own decisions/opinion and don't worry about others.

The last thing we need is people preaching to others about the decisions they make. Everyone knows the risks and choices they take.

Do what you want, but I highly encourage you to keep wearing a helmet. You never know when you're going to hit your head, ask Sam Zahner, ask anyone who's gotten knocked unconscious, were you planning to hit your head? No, of course not but it still happened. I've had some good tomahawks with helmets on and been grateful I was wearing it, but my low speed pow schnoodling crash into a tree left a big old dent in my helmet. If I hadn't been wearing one I bet I would have had a bad gash at the least there. point is, wear a helmet, you won't regret it.

Your brain is literally you, protect that shit mang.

**This post was edited on Nov 16th 2020 at 11:08:00pm

I've always worn helmets, but last year decided to give the no helmet thing a try. Rode Targhee without for a few days, and really liked it. Got up one morning to go ski, and for some reason decided to wear one. Later that day, I was ripping through some trees, and hit a kicker beside a tree that I hadn't hit/seen before. Above, and a little bit behind the kicker was a 6" branch just above head height and my eye level that I didn't see cause I looked back to make sure the lads were watching. I came in fast, and the kicker sent me up, and my forehead (with helmet) went straight into the branch at Mach 10. Hardest hit I ever had, got ski patrol to check me out after, as I though I might be concussed. I wasn't but if I hadn't been wearing a helmet, I'd have been fucked up. Never ditching the helmet now.

PeteMahnHonestly I don't understand why people give a fuck and bring this up in the first place. I do and don't wear a helmet and same with people I ski with. That being said I don't think differently or say anything to anyone as they can make their own decisions. Were all adults let everyone do what they want. I assume no one gave a fuck that you were wearing a helmet, so carry on and have fun with everyone. At the end of the day just let people make their own decisions. If you feel it's smart to wear a helmet then do so. Who cares what everyone else does, it shouldn't change anything. The problem I have is If you go somewhere and see a bunch of people not wearing helmets so you take yours off and vice versa. Stick to your own decisions/opinion and don't worry about others.

The last thing we need is people preaching to others about the decisions they make. Everyone knows the risks and choices they take.

I give a fuck because I am an empathic person that cares about the well-being of others??? Maybe I should have made it clearer in the posting but I simply want to understand the thoughts that go into not wearing a helmet. I’m not Karening people on hill.

pbsI give a fuck because I am an empathic person that cares about the well-being of others??? Maybe I should have made it clearer in the posting but I simply want to understand the thoughts that go into not wearing a helmet. I’m not Karening people on hill.

They just don't want to, some think they ski better, some think they look better, some don't care they just ride however they're feeling. I've filmed tons of dudes with no helmets, I've filmed tons of dudes with helmets too, each person approaches it a bit different and its not that one or the other "isnt thinking right" its just how they want to ski and tbf that's their choice.

**This post was edited on Nov 17th 2020 at 12:12:18pm

Read an interesting article recently.

"A neck that is stronger, thicker or aligned in a forward posture -- with the ears ahead of rather than aligned with the shoulders -- may reduce the amount of energy transferred to the brain during an impact, thus reducing the risk and severity of injury," said Carrie Esopenko, an assistant professor at the School of Health Professions and the report's senior author.

Basically some people are more prone to brain injuries during a crash than other people.

Helmets are cool here at Alta

helmets on jumps and gnarly shit only

SkibumsmithRead an interesting article recently.

"A neck that is stronger, thicker or aligned in a forward posture -- with the ears ahead of rather than aligned with the shoulders -- may reduce the amount of energy transferred to the brain during an impact, thus reducing the risk and severity of injury," said Carrie Esopenko, an assistant professor at the School of Health Professions and the report's senior author.

Basically some people are more prone to brain injuries during a crash than other people.

Damn! I knew my thick ass neck was good for something other than making me look like a thumb

Didnt you hear? After Subject 2 change came out helmets dont exsist

Wear a helmet if you want, don't if you don't. That's all.

There is still no conclusive evidence that states in a snowsports setting that helmets decrease your risk of injury much more than a few percentage points. Citation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3989528/

It can't hurt to wear a helmet, but don't be under the illusion that you can't get a TBI if you're wearing one. Helmets are good at protecting against impact trauma, and not great at protecting against concussions.

I wish it was so easy just to say that "helmets guarantee increased safety" but the data just isn't really there. MIPS might change the equation but who knows. It probably doesn't hurt to wear one, but somewhat counterintuitively, there isn't a lot of evidence to support helmets strongly protecting against brain injury while skiing.

There's tons of science still to be done with helmets and hopefully some of us can be the ones to help figure this shit out. We need effective helmets in our sport

ChillTeenDad420Wear a helmet if you want, don't if you don't. That's all.

There is still no conclusive evidence that states in a snowsports setting that helmets decrease your risk of injury much more than a few percentage points. Citation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3989528/

It can't hurt to wear a helmet, but don't be under the illusion that you can't get a TBI if you're wearing one. Helmets are good at protecting against impact trauma, and not great at protecting against concussions.

I wish it was so easy just to say that "helmets guarantee increased safety" but the data just isn't really there. MIPS might change the equation but who knows. It probably doesn't hurt to wear one, but somewhat counterintuitively, there isn't a lot of evidence to support helmets strongly protecting against brain injury while skiing.

There's tons of science still to be done with helmets and hopefully some of us can be the ones to help figure this shit out. We need effective helmets in our sport

To be clear, definitely err on the safe side and wear a helmet if you're at all at doubt. You definitely are at higher risk by not wearing one.

My point is mainly that helmet technology ought to be more effective. It certainly will not increase your risk of injury to wear a helmet

The worst fall I ever had, I was cruising a groomer toward the parking lot at Copper and caught an edge. Literally probably going 10-15 mph. I don't remember all the details but I know my head slammed into the icy surface at full speed. I had to drive to CB right after and almost passed out at the gas station in Leadville. Falling over and passed out in my car for 20 minutes.

I was wearing a helmet but who knows if not. Definitely I had a concussion.

Head injuries happen most often with weird falls. From standing a fall to the right spot on the back of your head will kill you. Young or old. Helmets stop that from happening.

Ethan_pollock3Phil Casabon once said " If I wear a helmet I'm planning to hit my head, and if I don't put it on Im not planning on doing so"

you can say the same thing about a seatbelt and realize how stupid that statement is.

ChillTeenDad420Wear a helmet if you want, don't if you don't. That's all.

There is still no conclusive evidence that states in a snowsports setting that helmets decrease your risk of injury much more than a few percentage points. Citation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3989528/

Summary

The use of safety helmets clearly decreases the risk and severity of head injuries as compared to non-helmeted participants in skiing and snowboarding. The beneficial effects of helmets are not negated by unintended risks as their use does not appear to increase the risk of neck or cervical spine injury as compared to non-helmeted participants in skiing and snowboarding. The use of safety helmets also does not appear to increase the risk of compensation behavior as compared to non-helmeted participants in skiing and snowboarding. Therefore, helmets are strongly recommended during recreational skiing and snowboarding. Limitations in current studies have been highlighted and need to be appropriately addressed in future investigations on the subject.

Got a gnarly concussion with a helmet up in Whistler a couple years ago. I wear them almost always now, but I also thought it was a great idea to have a couple drinks later that night and I know that didn’t help. Saw a buddy crack one on a tree once in HS and the impact that requires is gnarly. That being said I still will occasionally forgo them on warm spring days. It all comes down to what your risk tolerance is. Don’t wear if you don’t want. Wear if you do. Personally I’m fine being a dumbass some days but I acknowledge it. I don’t really give a shit about dying, but living without full function or cognitive ability is way scarier. That alone is enough to keep a helmet (mostly) on my head.

MarkusFinSummary

The use of safety helmets clearly decreases the risk and severity of head injuries as compared to non-helmeted participants in skiing and snowboarding. The beneficial effects of helmets are not negated by unintended risks as their use does not appear to increase the risk of neck or cervical spine injury as compared to non-helmeted participants in skiing and snowboarding. The use of safety helmets also does not appear to increase the risk of compensation behavior as compared to non-helmeted participants in skiing and snowboarding. Therefore, helmets are strongly recommended during recreational skiing and snowboarding. Limitations in current studies have been highlighted and need to be appropriately addressed in future investigations on the subject.

The conclusion for that study (almost 20 years old btw) stated the valence of the effect of helmets but not of the significance. The rest of the study has mixed results.

Here's a study from 2020 that further muddies the waters:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31335753/

"Helmet use doubled during the study period (43% to 81%, p < 0.001), but the rate of any head injury did not significantly change (49% to 43%, p = 0.499). On multivariable regression, helmeted patients were significantly more likely to suffer severe injury (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-3.11), intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.10-2.96), chest injury (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.05-2.61), and/or lumbosacral spine injury (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.04-3.25) than unhelmeted patients. Helmeted patients were half as likely to suffer cervical spine injury (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30-0.89) and a third as likely to sustain skull fracture and/or scalp laceration (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.14-0.64). More patients who hit a stationary object were helmeted compared with those who fell from standing height onto snow (70% vs. 56% respectively, p < 0.001). After adjustment, hitting a stationary object was the injury mechanism most significantly associated with severe injury (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.79-4.38).

Conclusion: [/b]Helmeted skiers and snowboarders evaluated at a Level I trauma center were more likely to suffer severe injury, including intracranial hemorrhage, as compared with unhelmeted participants. However, they were less likely to sustain skull fractures or cervical spine injuries. Helmeted patients were also more likely to hit a stationary object. Our findings reinforce the importance of safe skiing practices and trauma evaluation after high-impact injury, regardless of helmet use."

ChillTeenDad420The conclusion for that study (almost 20 years old btw) stated the valence of the effect of helmets but not of the significance. The rest of the study has mixed results.

Here's a study from 2020 that further muddies the waters:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31335753/

I don't think we will find definite proof until you actually change the parameters to only include freeskiers above a certain skill-threshold, which will never happen.

i got a concussion from some jerry out of control while i was doing up my boots on the side of the trail, never not wearing a helmet again

I just wish helmets didn't look so dumb. I'll never not wear one, but I can't stand how goddamn clunky they look.

Really wish I could rock a tricorn without endangering my cranium...

Most people get it after wipeing the fuck out and not remembering shit.

Just last 2 weeks I've hit my head on a box, a rail, and on ice. (yeah damn right I will wear a helmet, heck I will even change it out due to abuse)

**This post was edited on Nov 17th 2020 at 5:16:25am

Ethan_pollock3Phil Casabon once said " If I wear a helmet I'm planning to hit my head, and if I don't put it on Im not planning on doing so"

I love Phil's skiing but that is a stupid thing to say

Never really got why skiers are fine to just rock a beanie but will always wear a lid when mountain biking in summer. No problem if it’s a tiny pvc pipe you’re messing around on but if you’re skiing fast then that tree / rock is going to hurt as much in winter as it does in summer

I always wear a helmet, it just gives me one less thing to worry about and gives me more confidence, plus I like the look

I personally wear a helmet no matter what. Helmets have definitely saved me a ton of times. One of them was 5th grade. I was skiing during the spring down a black diamond and caught an edge and slammed my head. Had a slight concussion but probably could have been worse. I'm willing to switch out helmets bc there's no point in wearing a helmet if it doesn't work.

You were probably the only one wearing one because it’s preseason PVC skiing.

I wear a helmet when it’s icy out or I’m planning on hitting jumps or going upside down that day. 90% of my skiing nowadays is mellow rail cruising.

I'm def always in a helmet. All these people saying they dont plan on hitting their head are missing the point that you dont plan on falling. Had a good homie pass away this fall, someone bumped into him skating. He fell and cracked and his head and that was it. Shit happens, helmets help. He wasnt doing anything crazy, he just got bumped awkwardly and unexpectedly

**This post was edited on Nov 17th 2020 at 10:06:21am

**This post was edited on Nov 17th 2020 at 10:19:10am

I feel like anyone that doesn't wear a helmet is someone who hasn't been there to witness a traumatic brain injury or doesn't know someone that's had a traumatic brain injury. Shit is no joke, but without being personally affected I can see how it's easy to think nothing bad will ever happen. I'll always suggest wearing a helmet because I've seen what head injuries are all about, and have seen that helmets literally save lives.

I will never not have a helmet on no matter if it's on a backyard PVC rail or PC laps. I get doing early season tricks on a tiny rail may seem harmless, but I'd just rather not risk it. I'm also in the minority that think helmets can look dope.

I have multiple helmets and googles... (and teeth) on my counter... sooooooooo yeah. maybe I should suck less. and or do stupid shit less.

pbsJust moved down to SLC from Washington. Have been up to “Alta park” and the bonezone and I was the only one wearing a helmet at either spot. I completely understand that not wearing a helmet feels good and looks better, yet for me that doesn’t out weight the risk of getting a head injury. Maybe I slam more than normal or maybe I’m a pussy? idk helmets just seem more common in WA. Any folks that have been here longer got any ideas?

I wear a mask.. should be fine.

it's more stylish to be alive so wear a helmet

Thread makes my brain hurt

ChillTeenDad420The conclusion for that study (almost 20 years old btw) stated the valence of the effect of helmets but not of the significance. The rest of the study has mixed results.

Here's a study from 2020 that further muddies the waters:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31335753/

"Helmet use doubled during the study period (43% to 81%, p < 0.001), but the rate of any head injury did not significantly change (49% to 43%, p = 0.499). On multivariable regression, helmeted patients were significantly more likely to suffer severe injury (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-3.11), intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.10-2.96), chest injury (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.05-2.61), and/or lumbosacral spine injury (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.04-3.25) than unhelmeted patients. Helmeted patients were half as likely to suffer cervical spine injury (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30-0.89) and a third as likely to sustain skull fracture and/or scalp laceration (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.14-0.64). More patients who hit a stationary object were helmeted compared with those who fell from standing height onto snow (70% vs. 56% respectively, p < 0.001). After adjustment, hitting a stationary object was the injury mechanism most significantly associated with severe injury (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.79-4.38).

Conclusion: Helmeted skiers and snowboarders evaluated at a Level I trauma center were more likely to suffer severe injury, including intracranial hemorrhage, as compared with unhelmeted participants. However, they were less likely to sustain skull fractures or cervical spine injuries. Helmeted patients were also more likely to hit a stationary object. Our findings reinforce the importance of safe skiing practices and trauma evaluation after high-impact injury, regardless of helmet use."

You can make the argument that having a helmet can boost your confidence, leading you to make more risky decisions, but there is no argument for if you hit your head is it better to be wearing a helmet or not. It is better to be smacked in the head while wearing a helmet than not.

BagOTricksI feel like anyone that doesn't wear a helmet is someone who hasn't been there to witness a traumatic brain injury or doesn't know someone that's had a traumatic brain injury. Shit is no joke, but without being personally affected I can see how it's easy to think nothing bad will ever happen. I'll always suggest wearing a helmet because I've seen what head injuries are all about, and have seen that helmets literally save lives.

I will never not have a helmet on no matter if it's on a backyard PVC rail or PC laps. I get doing early season tricks on a tiny rail may seem harmless, but I'd just rather not risk it. I'm also in the minority that think helmets can look dope.

The few people I know who have gotten TBIs have all been wearing a helmet. Helmets don't prevent concussions or TBIs, they're more so a shell to protect you from hard object and to slightly absorb the blow.

There is no argument, wearing a helmet is more safe.

**This post was edited on Nov 17th 2020 at 12:05:36pm

Imo wearing a helmet when skiing is optional, but I almost always do.

However, it is super dumb to not wear a helmet when skating/bmx, exhibit A:

(4:30)