PROTECT YOUR HEAD
HELMETS
We only have one head, and there are no spare parts, so you’d better take care of it and protect it ! Helmets have saved my life: I suffered two concussions, the first one snowboarding on a quiet day in Mt St Sauveur in Quebec, and the second one skiing in the gates in Zermatt. Can’t imagine what would have happened if I wasn’t wearing one…
So, how do you pick the right helmet ? Once again, forget about the brand or the color, the best helmet is the one that fits your head best.
-> First, you need to measure your head. Use a measuring tape in cm, place it just above your eyebrows and measure the entire circumference of your head.
Small (52 cm – 55.5 cm)
Medium (55.5 cm – 59 cm)
Large (59 cm – 62.5 cm)
-> Bring your googles with you to make sure that they fit nicely with it. You don’t want to have a gap on the forehead between the helmet and the goggles (brain freeze anyone ? Headache ?).
-> To avoid this… the dreaded gaper gap.
-> To get the right and optimal fit, it should feel comfortable, and fit nice and snug around your head. If you can move the helmet from side to side or back and forth, it’s too big or not tight enough around your head (most helmets allow you to adjust the tightness). You don’t want it to be too tight either, or else it will cut the blood circulation and you will end up with a headache.
-> The strap should fit snuggly under your chin, not too tight, not too loose and dangling under your chin.
Other features to look for:
-> Single impact vs multiple impacts helmets. Be aware that if you buy the former, you will have to replace it if you bang your head (or if you inadvertantly drop your helmet on the ground…). The helmet simply wil NOT protect your head properly anymore.
-> Inner padding. Different brands will design their paddings in different ways. Once again, keep your comfort in mind. Some helmets also have more padding than others for added protection, and some brands will design the padding so it moulds around the shape of your head for the utmost comfort.
-> Earpads. Some brands have removable earpads if you want to wash them or don’t want to wear them.
-> I don’t recommend skiing with earphones: it disconnects you from your environment and impacts your ability to balance properly on your feet.
-> Ventilation system: most helmets now have some kind of vents to allow the air to circulate around and keep your head cool.
-> Goggle clip: most helmets will have a google clip at the back so you can pass the goggle strap through and clip it to the helmet.
-> I like to ski with a skull cap under my helmet: if you ever sweat, you can easily wash the skull cap. A lot easier than washing the helmet…
