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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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ski2sky.
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 897
this...but i do wear a helmet while i am tree and powder skiing.

but im with you on the mellow laps during the spring
Oct 22 2010 11:16PM
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bkap
Posts: 446 - Karma: 23
yes i do
Oct 22 2010 11:36PM
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Gstrong
Posts: 4776 - Karma: 519
i wear my helmet 80% of the time, the only time i don't is unless i'm skiing powder unless i'm hitting cliff or at the end of the year.
Oct 22 2010 11:57PM
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PartyHon
Posts: 2019 - Karma: 425
My best friend died cause he didn't wear his helmet.
I wear one everyday regardless
Oct 23 2010 12:13AM
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teleTay
Posts: 2320 - Karma: 186
always...no excuses really
Oct 23 2010 12:19AM
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Triple_Strum
Posts: 6384 - Karma: 953
I didn't use to, but I do for sure now. Helmets are so much more comfortable than they used to be anyway. Two examples:

Trying to tree ski in super tight trees beyond my ability. I ended up wrapped around a tree - head hit first. I was in the middle of a huge glade that wasn't well marked and took one last run by myself (stupid). I would have been knocked out unquestionably and could have died or suffered serious head trama since no one would have known where to look.

Second case is my wife, actually. We were skiing some bumps when she went out of control and ate it pretty hard. Her ski popped off and the end of it nailed her in the back of the head. Were she not wearing a helmet that would have been a lot of blood and stitches, on the good side. ON the bad, who knows.
Oct 23 2010 12:28AM
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Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015

alllllllwaaayyyyssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

to me if u dont your basicly just wating for a brain injury....

Oct 23 2010 12:28AM
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rickroller
Posts: 2468 - Karma: 483
yess i doo except when im skiing railz
Oct 23 2010 12:32AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
You don't need one to ride in parks in AB. Just cop as far as i know.
I always wear a helmet. I feel naked when i ride without it. I always feel like i am adjusting my beanie when i wear one.
And when i wear my favorite beanie with my goggles it pops out near my ears and wind blows in my ears when i go fast.
Oct 23 2010 12:35AM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591
companys have been making some pretty sick helmet designs and graphics/colors now so im good on riding with one.
Oct 23 2010 1:24AM
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stolitonic
Posts: 27 - Karma: 13

couple years ago i was riding the backside of stevens. after a less than thrilling fall I looked up to find my ski on a B-line for my face. with ninja like reflexes, was able to take a hit to the helmet.

that giro helmet saved my face from years of cosmetic surgery or an ugly wife. it seriously dented and pierced the giro, so i will never ride without one. by the way i married a hot dr...end of story

Oct 23 2010 2:14AM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
Completely agree.

People saying that a helmet is uncomfortable and gets in the way? Wait until you get a concussion and are out for a week or two.. or three.. or who knows. The symptoms are BY FAR more uncomfortable than wearing a helmet, and what else gets in your way more of skiing than medically NOT being able to ski.

Wear a helmet, don't be stupid.
Oct 23 2010 7:33AM
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canterbury
Posts: 2382 - Karma: 55
i always wear a helmet, hate to think how much worse my concussion would have been without one.
Oct 23 2010 9:10AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
ery day ery day
Oct 23 2010 9:53AM
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k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598
quebec...i need to wear a helmet like everyone but like tom wallisch said in his first hand...he wear helmet even if hes the only one to wear one...
Oct 23 2010 9:56AM
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Sitch.
Posts: 841 - Karma: 13
yes cause in Qc and its just much safer!
Oct 23 2010 9:57AM
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10...nuffsaid
Posts: 308 - Karma: 54
they keep me so safe and so warm that i wear one everywhere! except for when i'm shopping for groceries, getting an interview, and doing mellow laps in the mall.  oh yeah! and when I'm riding in trees, ya know cause that isn't dangerous! haha
Oct 23 2010 10:06AM
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DJ_Pauly_D
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 42
I always wear one no matter what
Oct 23 2010 10:18AM
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OGHolliday
Posts: 2390 - Karma: 2,430
Helmets look sick now, are warm, and obviously protect your head in a dangerous sport I have no idea why someone wouldnt wear one.
Oct 23 2010 10:20AM
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s-hand
Posts: 1334 - Karma: 1,800
Always. Even if im just riding my backyard park.  Its not worth the risk not to
Oct 23 2010 11:57AM
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teleak
Posts: 2251 - Karma: 105
i always wear mine unless i'm patroling
Oct 23 2010 12:21PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Click for larger image
Oct 23 2010 12:29PM
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T.DUDE
Posts: 1681 - Karma: 129
imo, theres not reason not.
Oct 23 2010 12:29PM
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T.DUDE
Posts: 1681 - Karma: 129
wtf, ^thats what i get for NSin on my phone
Oct 23 2010 12:31PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13084 - Karma: 18,731
yes, I love my helmet. Where else am I going to put NS stickers?
Oct 23 2010 1:00PM
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VPP
Posts: 250 - Karma: 15
I'd be majorly hurt or even dead if I hadnt.
Oct 23 2010 1:04PM
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i.am.green.man.
Posts: 220 - Karma: 48
hahahahahhs
Oct 23 2010 1:06PM
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Horizon
Posts: 368 - Karma: 21
I never ski without wearing my helmet.
Oct 23 2010 1:08PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15081 - Karma: 9,158
sure as hell do
Oct 23 2010 1:10PM
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OHIO
Posts: 414 - Karma: 706
i wear a helmet no matter what.  ive never really fallen on my head, its mostly for when the lift swings around and gets me or if one of my buddies starts wacking me with his poles. but still, the are a real life saver
Oct 23 2010 1:11PM
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Milksteak
Posts: 9948 - Karma: 833
The only times I don't wear a helmet are when I'm hiking a smaller rail or just hitting a little rail at my house or something. But I always wear a helmet on the mountain. In my opinion it looks "cool" and it's comfortable, plus it's safe.
Oct 23 2010 1:38PM
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207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,846
100% of the time.

Always gotta have your helmet.
Oct 23 2010 1:39PM
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A-Lee
Posts: 256 - Karma: 19
I always wear one, unless i'm hiking rails late season because normally the rails are not difficult and fairly low to the ground.
I used to think skiing with one was stupid during powder days then i started skiing through tight trees and dropping cliffs. There have been some days where I take of my helmet and am picking pieces of tree branches out of the helmet vents that would have been in my scalp without the helmet. They are just a good idea to use and would not be able to type this if not wearing a helmet during bad crashes, and i always seem to land on my head when i fall.
Its worth paying a little extra for one if it fits your head and is fairly light. I strongly suggest the poc receptor bug, its by far the best helmet i've ever had,
Oct 23 2010 1:45PM
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Hogis
Posts: 551 - Karma: 393
I always wear a helmet when im at the hill.
I dont wear one when im doing urbans...

Yeah its kinda retarded, its a comfort thing. Gotta look over the helmet-useage.
Never really thought of it.
Oct 23 2010 1:46PM
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ike.
Posts: 2292 - Karma: 93
of course, they look fine, are comfy and help your melon keep functional
Oct 23 2010 1:48PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2089 - Karma: 1,346
Very good thread. Just made me realize i have drifted into stupidity again, as i haven't been wearing my helmet lately. This is stupid for obvious reasons, but even more so for me, and here's why. I was skiing really mellow lines in shitty visibility. My friend knew the area well and was charging, i didn't know the area but still just kept up with him. At one point a cattrack runs perpendicular to the line we're skiing. My friend knows this and can take appropiate measures, i don't and basically ski head first into an icy cattrack. I wake up in hospital 2 days later, not really knowing where i was. I sustained a serious concussion, and the 10 days leading up to my accident had been completely erased from my memory. This was scary as fuck, not to mention the fact that i was sidelined for 6-7 weeks. In addition it really knocked my confidence, and i feel like i only recently regained it. Maybe thats why i've stopped wearing my helmet. But starting know im gonna wear mine all the time, and i recommend everyone else to do the same.
Oct 23 2010 1:51PM
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Ducky.
Posts: 5811 - Karma: 1,420
I remember 2 days ever that I didn't use one. One day I was taking some pictures on a cat skiing trip, so I left my helmet in the cat. The other day I was shredding the summer park at Whistler, and just decided to take it easy since I just finished a session at COC.

Besides that, I always wear one.
Oct 23 2010 2:17PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7825 - Karma: 21,869
I wear a helmet almost all the time. I don't like the idea of my head connecting with rocks, metal, concrete or ice, it gives my parents peace of mind, which is important. Also every terrain park in the maritimes is helmets mandatory and at the mountain I usually ski at, you can have your pass clipped for being helmet-less in the park.
Oct 23 2010 2:22PM
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pow_pow2
Posts: 161 - Karma: 19
ALWAYS!  The amount of different helmets, styles and fits, there is no reason not too!  Protecting the bean!  It's important!
Oct 23 2010 2:41PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
Same here Doug.  I hated wearing helmets and hats for that matter.  I was too concerned about messing up my hair.  Now I don't give a shit.  I just started wearing a helmet two years ago, and I actually really like skiing in it.  It's a good thing too, because they are now mandatory for all Vail Resorts employees.  If you are on the clock and clicked in, you have to be wearing a helmet, but I even ski with mine now when I'm not working. 
Oct 23 2010 3:02PM
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Mr.DarthVader
Posts: 1322 - Karma: 556
i would have died if i wasnt wearing my helmet so i think everyone should wear one all the time
Oct 23 2010 4:27PM
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Otter.
Posts: 1161 - Karma: 84
you must be too cool if you dont wear one.
Oct 23 2010 4:31PM
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
Yez and new page
Oct 23 2010 4:33PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Inflatable Airbag “Collar” Protects Helmet-Free Cyclists From Broken Skulls

Click for larger image

http://www.ecouterre.com/inflatable-airbag-collar-protects-helmet-free-cyclists-from-broken-skulls/
Oct 23 2010 4:41PM
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grilledsteezeyo
Posts: 1419 - Karma: 72
yeah, always. it gives me more confidence, i know i can try something and not have to worry about smashing my dome with it on
Oct 23 2010 5:02PM
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STR8W1CKD
Posts: 32 - Karma: 10
Honestly, I have had concussions from hockey even with a helmet on and one from skiing without my helmet buckled...yeah not smart. keep it on and buckled lol
Oct 23 2010 5:14PM
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Smuffy
Posts: 4686 - Karma: 3,408
i always wear a dome piece. i feel safer, and a couple years ago i watched my friend get knocked out, seizure, and get airlifted from a head injury.
Oct 23 2010 5:39PM
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Trace.
Posts: 1460 - Karma: 635
Ever since I was a kid my parents forced me to wear one and I used to hate it, but after experiencing some pretty bad falls I wont ski without one. not to mention how could I show off my sticker addiction
Oct 23 2010 6:51PM
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ski93
Posts: 1280 - Karma: 84
ya, i'm in Alberta and I hardly see anyone riding without a helmet these days. I've gone with a hat a couple times but for the most part I stick with the helmet.
Oct 23 2010 7:15PM
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