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Do you wear a helmet when you ride?

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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,633
We were having this discussion at the office today, and I'm wondering what the general populace of newschoolers says.

I remember back in like 2001-2004 or so, what I would consider the "heydey" of my skiing ability... very few people wore helmets when they were riding. I mean even guys like Tanner and Candide would wear hats when competing in the x-games.

Hell... I never wore a helmet unless someone forced me. I don't even think I had a good reason. When I ask myself why, really it all came down to fashion and comfort. Didn't like the feeling or look of helmets.

However, more and more these days I see helmets almost everywhere. Of course part of that is because here in Quebec, wearing a helmet in the terrain park is mandatory. I know its the same in some places in Ontario, and at Whistler... but how many other parks are like that?

So I pose the question to you - do you ride with a helmet? What fuels your decision either way?



Oct 22 2010 11:00AM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
I would be legitimately retarded by now if I had not been using a helmet for so long, lots of hard hits on record.  In Colorado you don't have to ride with one, but due to the fact that it's warm, comfortable, I can ride with music easier, and it's keeping me safe....I use it almost every day.
Oct 22 2010 11:02AM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
Oh, and the reason I started wearing one back in the day was because  I would have been disqualified for pilot training with a severe concussion.  I bought a helmet the day I found that out.  Paid off.
Oct 22 2010 11:03AM
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yippie
Posts: 268 - Karma: 91
always. I dont want to risk it without
Oct 22 2010 11:04AM
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Boggs
Posts: 1039 - Karma: 208
I never ride without one. I have broken one or two and it overall just gives me confidence. After watching some videos on the web and on tv, I see way too many people crashing without them. They save lives, and there shouldn't be much more to say than that. Even Wallisch wears one hen filming urban and props to him for that, seeing as how big of an influence he is.
Oct 22 2010 11:04AM
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N.Skinner
Posts: 1512 - Karma: 19
Yes.

I've been riding with a helmet for as long as I can remember. I generally think of them as warmer and have never had an issue with them being heavy or uncomfortable.

I've also had three legitimate concussions with a helmet on and many more hard hits. I certainly don't need anymore. Sometimes I think "a lot of good that did me" but think of how messed up my head would be without that. Damn.
Oct 22 2010 11:07AM
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dangerdad
Posts: 2228 - Karma: 317
I definitely do. Too many slams to not by this point.
Oct 22 2010 11:07AM
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*Nickdel*
Posts: 2264 - Karma: 956
Wear one everyday i ride.
Oct 22 2010 11:09AM
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,054
sometimes i do and sometimes i dont. its sporadic, but i always thing i should wear it more.
Oct 22 2010 11:13AM
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skichicky3
Posts: 2593 - Karma: 64
Always, I've been wearing a helmet since I was like 4. For a while when I was younger I didn't want to wear a helmet because it wasn't considered "cool".

Now, I'm glad I do, as a ski patroller I've seen way too many gnarly accidents of people hitting their heads, even on the bunny slopes and going into shock/comas even with having a helmet. At least at that point even though they are in critical condition they have a chance of living whereas if they hadn't been wearing a helmet they would have been dead instantly.

That's just my .02. I feel a little bit safer with a helmet. It probably makes me ski less cautiously compared to if I wasn't wearing a helmet, but at least I'm trying to take the necessary precautions to being safe.
Oct 22 2010 11:15AM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
Yes. I never wore one when I was a little kid, but now I do. If you find one that fits it's comfortable, warm and looks fine if you care about that.
Oct 22 2010 11:16AM
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Vino
Posts: 2939 - Karma: 1,117
Yes. cause I ski in Qc and it's safe.
Oct 22 2010 11:18AM
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Billups
Posts: 3960 - Karma: 329
I almost always wear a helmet. I can think of very few exceptions where I wouldn't.
Oct 22 2010 11:19AM
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Schoellkopf
Posts: 1300 - Karma: 122
I grew up wearing one, so it's always just felt natural to me.

A couple years back I was riding the Bush without a helmet just for the fuck of it. After we went in for lunch I thought what the hell, might as well throw it on just because I have it. Literally the first run after leaving the lodge I was ripping through the trees, got caught up on some hidden shit underneath the snow, and was turned around. The back of my head smacked directly into a good sized tree (probably bout a six inches in diameter). This was an obvious sign, and I'll never ride without one again. Although when I'm hitting up Ruby Hill I tend to not wear it, just cause I'm not doing anything high risk, but when I'm on the mountain my helmet is always attached.
Oct 22 2010 11:19AM
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ace_
Posts: 3189 - Karma: 39
oh hell yeah ive banged my noggin so many times. though i have became more comfortable without one if im just cruising around, even if i can ski extremely well


oh yeah make a poll too, that might help
Oct 22 2010 11:20AM
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yojimbo
Posts: 3631 - Karma: 27
ive never worn one simply because i've never found one that was comfortable enough and warm enough to ride with. they all feel really weird and bulky or like on the top of my head like a bobblehead doll. i know its probably not smart but weird thing is i rode up with a patroller once and he told me helmet technology is actually not good enough. i forget the exact reasoning but wearing a helmet can actually lead to more severe injury in some situations because of the way the plates are designed they can break on impact and sever your brain stem or something like that. he said that he had gone to a saftey festival type event thing and seen prototypes that would be coming out in a couple years for safer helmets but most helmets nowadays are actually dangerous as well, though still good to wear because they will save you in some situations.

finally, two deaths at sunday river last year, both wearing helmets.
Oct 22 2010 11:21AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
i didnt growing up, simply because no one did. im not sure my family was even aware normal skiers wore helmets, it was strictly a racing thing.

however ive probably been wearing a helmet for the last 4-5 years or so. just realized it was a good idea. i almost never ride without it anymore, unless im just cruising with my gf, or chillin and filming people. i honestly think ive ridden like 3 days over the past 3 years without my helmet.
Oct 22 2010 11:23AM
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Dhane
Posts: 3866 - Karma: 1,722
ive noticed this trend as well. i dont wear a helmet and dont plan on wearing one any time soon. i just learned to ski without one and i feel awkward when i have it on.
Oct 22 2010 11:23AM
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jfxphoto
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 2,346
alway always wear one.
Oct 22 2010 11:24AM
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beowulf
Posts: 893 - Karma: 164
When i first started skiing, 5 years ago, i was forced to wear one. It stuck with me not wearing one feels unnatural. Also not wearing is straight dumb. No matter how good of skier you are you will fall/crash and at that time you will be wishing you had a helmet.
Oct 22 2010 11:26AM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
I have off and on. I don't really ski hard pack and the stuff I ski now is above treeline.  I almost always do when I'm skiing resort but it's a nuisance to take into the backcountry. 
Oct 22 2010 11:27AM
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Mykel
Posts: 1560 - Karma: 84
I got my first helmet in 2001 when I bought my first twin-tips.  I didn't wear it much back then.  I wore it a couple days at ski camp and on days when I was going to try a new trick or slide rails.  I stopped completely for a few years.  I had a couple minor concussions during high school from football and skiing and one major concussion from baseball.  My last two years of college I started wearing one again.  I usually didn't wear it on deep pow days.  I realized one day that rocks could be hiding under the pow, and I could slam my head pretty hard even on a pow day.  A pretty obvious observation, I know.  Since then, I have started wearing one every day.

It just isn't worth the risk.  If I get brain damage, it would ruin my life and career.

Wear a helmet kids, Tom Wallisch does it!!
Oct 22 2010 11:27AM
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twin-tip-hero
Posts: 2896 - Karma: 277
I always wear a helmet when I ride. Too many head injuries happen to people when they don't wear one. Also they keep your head really warm, and how else would I show off my dope stickers?
Oct 22 2010 11:28AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
ive always owned one but I never end up wearing it, which leads to a few....incidents during the season to say the least. i just dont find them very comfy, and unless i know im gonna be trying things new to me then i really never wear one
Oct 22 2010 11:31AM
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dopen993
Posts: 1343 - Karma: 176

I have never worn one, i guess just cause of the comfort/warmth of a beanie vs the lack of each with a helmet. I coud be wrong but those are my reasons.

I have also thought a long time about the over confidence one gets when putting a helmet on. Do kids try things they wouldnt or maybe shouldnt when they have a helmet on? I know i have too much confidence already and dont need to have anymore. Obviously wearing a helmet is good most of the time, but if it has you doing things that you wouldnt normally try, just because you feel safer wearing one, then i am not sure its a good idea.

Oct 22 2010 11:34AM
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C-DAWGSTYLEZ
Posts: 832 - Karma: 171
I don't like it, i don't know why. But i still where mine throughout most of the whole season. It just lets me let loose a little easier, plus i don't want to end up retarted. My dad says if i ever do something stupid and end up mentally disabled he's pulling the plug.
Oct 22 2010 11:35AM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
I used to about 70% of the time, because I was in Ontario.

Last year I was in Revelstoke, so no park. My helmet is really old and it's actually a BMX helmet (not very warm)00000000, so I didn't wear it.

Low and behold I got a minor concussion.

This season I'm going to sink some coin into a nice POC and wear it 100% of the time.
Oct 22 2010 11:36AM
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garrets
Posts: 1447 - Karma: 60
My mountain doesn't make it mandatory but I always do, like many people have said it's definetly not worth it. Plus it keeps my head warmer than just a hat and I don't mind the look
Oct 22 2010 11:36AM
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AGOF
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 3,602
i wear one every single day, i have gotten concussions with them, and i would get more without them. plus they don't come off your head when you fall.
Oct 22 2010 11:38AM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
I always wear mine. It can't get saturated with water, it protects, it's windproof and warm. pus you can put stickers on them. Whats to hate?
Oct 22 2010 11:39AM
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Bo_bot9
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 275
the one day i did not wear it this past season i hit a cliff and tumbled into some trees and tagged my head pretty good on a tree. i learned my lesson and i hope everyone else does protect there DOME
Oct 22 2010 11:42AM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
I always wear one. When i dont have one on i feel a little uneasy and afraid to do anything. Even shredding groomers just feels sketchy to me when I'm not wearing one. The way i see it, its just not worth the risk of not wearing one. I know one person who got fucked up really bad and he WAS wearing a helmet. Probably would be dead if he wasnt wearing one. I also saw somebody die as a result of a severe head injury which, while not skiing related, made an impact on me.
Oct 22 2010 11:49AM
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Bonzalo
Posts: 2593 - Karma: 1,812
I used to be a racer, so I got used to wear a helmet, also I wear a back protector.

Do you wear a back protector?
Oct 22 2010 11:52AM
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
Nope. I'm buying one this year though for sure. I like my dome in one piece way too much.
Oct 22 2010 11:55AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
I have since the second year I skied, when I was 10. The first day I skied with a helmet I was literally RUN OVER by a snowboarder - like plowed to the ground, and I felt his board slide over my upper back and head.

I took that as a sign that I should continue to use one.

Now I don't feel confident without one and the only days I don't wear one are days I'm just going to be shooting park and not skiing, because then it gets in the way.
Oct 22 2010 11:57AM
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Rudy.
Posts: 441 - Karma: 24
I always have. so have all my friends. it feels weird skiing without one.
Oct 22 2010 12:05PM
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FoxRiderAR77
Posts: 231 - Karma: 12
I've had too many concussions with helmets on to not wear one.
Oct 22 2010 12:06PM
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Afeld
Posts: 3516 - Karma: 85
all day everyday
Oct 22 2010 12:10PM
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willy_baller
Posts: 1622 - Karma: 693
I wear a helmet because it has saved my life on multiple occasions. Last season I was wearing one and still ended up with a hematoma in my brain, I would have died on the spot if it weren't for my helmet. I also had two other concussions previous to that last year that could have turned out badly if I wasn't wearing a helmet.
Oct 22 2010 12:11PM
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sirskizalot
Posts: 4370 - Karma: 161
yup and its a good thing too, otherwise my head might be split in half instead of the helmet i split in half
Oct 22 2010 12:12PM
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WikiWiki
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 426
Click for larger image

looks good, warm, and light


have always worn a helmet- I got used to having a full face on for BMX racing so when it comes to snowmobiles, skiing, DH MTB, and Track Days, basically anything I do I wear a helmet

speaking of helmets- got rid of my bell in return for this guy- shipping in 4 weeks because its backordered:(

Simpson Bandit - one of the helmets the stig uses- he also uses a simpson diamondback

Click for larger image


Oct 22 2010 12:12PM
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cct_222
Posts: 1526 - Karma: 141
errrrday
Oct 22 2010 12:18PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9092 - Karma: 3,022
I wear a helmet if:

1. I'm doing urban.
2. I'm riding with my parents.
3. I'm hitting big jumps.
4. Doing big spins out of tall rails.


I just wear a hat or a thin headband if:

1. I'm tree skiing.
2. I'm lapping a park in the spring and I'm just doing mellow rails. No jumps.
3. I'm zipperlinin moguls with the homies haha.
4. I'm just cruisin groomers with ma woman.
Oct 22 2010 12:21PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
tom wallisch wears his. so i wear mine.
Oct 22 2010 12:21PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
im going to point out that trees and rails are both very hard.

part of the reason i STARTED wearing a helmet was because of all the trees i was skiing.
Oct 22 2010 12:27PM
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Heinzler
Posts: 1931 - Karma: 125
when im inbounds or hitting BC booters, i always always ALWAYS wear one. last year, i hit a jump switch and caught my edge right as i went off the lip and landed right on the right side of my body knocking me out and breaking my collarbone. my friends who saw it said it was the gnarliest crash they've ever seen and we've been skiing together for 5+ years. you could see the damaged foam in my helmet. i cant even imagine what would have happened if i wasn't wearing a helmet..permanent brain damage, maybe worse. i don't even wanna think about it..
Oct 22 2010 12:27PM
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ASkierNamedJaymz
Posts: 1209 - Karma: 341
Yeah i pretty much always do, if hiking a rail and i get hot it may come off, or if im filming/not doing park.
Oct 22 2010 12:34PM
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unreal.shooter
Posts: 562 - Karma: 52

yeah i would do usually

but if im doing urban i will take it off time to time

Oct 22 2010 12:37PM
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Steezyshred
Posts: 228 - Karma: 69
Every day! Keeps me warm, Comfortable, and Protects the dome... Several times a year I am thankful for wearing it-

Don't really see why people don't, with technology today there are so many different designs that If you look you should be able to find a helmet that fits your head, and who cares about fashion... I feel that waaay too many people on NS are worried about fashion over function- "Helmets aren't Gangsta" - But either are wheelchairs and brain damage...

Seems stupid to me not too(Especially East coast/Midwest on all the ice)But at the same time Im investing thousands of dollars a semester into my brain... and don't wan't some stupid ski accident to take that from me
Oct 22 2010 12:38PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9092 - Karma: 3,022
I wear a helmet on rails if:

1. The snow is not nice soft slush.
2. The rail is higher than 3 feet.
3. I'll be attempting spins higher than a 4 out.

And why do you wear a helmet in the trees? I've sorta skied into trees before but I just end up pretty much hugging them haha
Oct 22 2010 12:38PM
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rach
Posts: 917 - Karma: 507
I've worn a helmet ever since I started skiing. When I was really young my mom forced me to and at some point I kind of figured it was a good idea. Most of the time, i'm more more worried about someone running into me, than I am about my own ability. Sometimes on a crowded day its just smart. Plus helmets are definitely engineered for comfort and durability these days, some of them are really light. so I don't really see a reason not wear one...though I've heard the average helmet only does good to about 12mph.
Oct 22 2010 12:39PM
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