Snowsports Safety >> FAQs

FAQs

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Q: Are there helmets specifically designed for snowsports or can my child wear his or her bicycle helmet?
A: If you or your children wear a helmet while bicycling, it’s great to see that you’re already safety conscious. Likewise, it’s probably a good idea to wear a helmet on the slopes— it really comes down to your acceptance of risk. Ski and snowboard helmets are specifically designed for skiing and snowboarding usage. Wearing another sport’s helmet, such as a bicycle helmet, may or may not afford you adequate protection.

Ski and snowboard helmets are insulated for cold weather and bicycle helmets provide more ventilation than ski helmets. A ski and snowboard helmet should provide better coverage and impact protection than wearing a bicycle helmet on the slopes.

Keep in mind that the risk of a potentially serious head injury on the slopes may be much lower than you think. Such injuries are actually less than 2.5 percent of all medically significant injuries in skiing, whereas for bicycle riders, the comparable number is 32 percent. However, the National Ski Areas Association encourages you to consider wearing a helmet on the slopes and educate yourself about a helmet’s benefits and limitations.