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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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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072
sry if it has been mentioned already, but does any1 else notice that snowboarders don't wear helmets as much as skiers?  I notice this quite a bit especially in the park.
Nov 8 2010 9:49PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,624
he'll be a vegetable before he wants to die at the prime age of 40
Nov 8 2010 9:53PM
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EvanA02
Posts: 421 - Karma: 47
threads for when I can post my research data/sources without worrying. i.e. when my paper is turned in

Nov 8 2010 9:56PM
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hewy
Posts: 1355 - Karma: 205
only time i won't wear a helmet is when i'm just shredding groomers at my local bump with my girlfriend. Other then that, I'll always be wearing my helmet
Nov 8 2010 10:26PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,121
no one wants to get old. but it's kinda weird that you would rather be dead haha. plus most of those things are like for 80 year olds. except the kids,mortgage and minivans which will probably be half done by your 40's
Nov 8 2010 11:02PM
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syrup.
Posts: 644 - Karma: 302
Definitely wear mine every time I ski, unless I'm just messing around in my backyard.
Nov 8 2010 11:27PM
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mackinnon
Posts: 5153 - Karma: 161
if you've already resigned yourself to the idea that you can't live a satisfying and fulfilling life past the age of 39, then you should probably just kill yourself now reassess some things in life
Nov 9 2010 12:13AM
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PULSEofdaNATION
Posts: 426 - Karma: 51
I have just always been forced to wear one, so I wear one all the time. Probably for the best though
Nov 9 2010 12:16AM
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Bethune
Posts: 435 - Karma: 26
i used to not wear a helmet until i smacked my forehead on a rail and blacked out 3 seasons ago. now i wear a helmet even when im taking it easy
Nov 9 2010 12:25AM
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HIRO
Posts: 548 - Karma: 34
liek I nevar wear a helmet cuz my skullcandies fall off if I do.  Straight beanie thug
Nov 9 2010 12:35AM
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saxon
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 551
yes i always wear a helmet, for 2 reasons :

1) Protects my head.
2) Mandatory in all Quebec snowparks.
Nov 9 2010 2:23AM
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Chickendodo
Posts: 1426 - Karma: 33
but... how will I look hard and thug if I wear a helmet?! But in all seriousness, I've only worn my helmet maybe 5 days in the past 4 years? It's a piece of shit, and I don't have the cash to get a new one, so I'll stick with my beanies, and still look coooooool!
Nov 9 2010 2:28AM
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th3Mailman
Posts: 222 - Karma: 18
i wear one! got 3 concussions last year so i decided to step it up this year and get a nice one...
Nov 9 2010 2:55AM
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murs
Posts: 1684 - Karma: 109
every time i click into my skis i have a helmet on

i even wear it seshing a backward feature because you hear about those freak accidents and thats your life gone in a second

plus i like how they look and its warm and comfy for me
Nov 9 2010 4:28AM
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Vinci
Posts: 701 - Karma: 1,472
Here is a little story for those of you who believe, that wearing a helmet is not necessary when cruising around. Happened to the german politician Dieter Althaus.

-> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieter_Althaus

"Althaus is married to Katharina and has two children. He caused a skiing collision in Styria, Austria on January 1, 2009, in which he suffered severe injuries.[1][2] Althaus was skiing down an expert run, but wandered onto an easy slope, where he was skiing in the wrong direction[3], whereupon he and a 41-year-old Slovak woman collided. The woman subsequently died from her injuries. Althaus was wearing a skiing helmet, while the woman was not.[4][5] Althaus was fined €33,300 for negligent homicide.[6]"
Nov 9 2010 6:06AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3344 - Karma: 5,748
Click for larger image
That helmet just saved my life. It's cracked all the way through. I hit a tree about 6" dia DH biking 10/2/2010. It makes me think about how I fly by so many trees like that skiing and how quickly shit can go wrong. This was more than a wake up call. This crash made me compress fracture T4-T5 in my spine, but I had no head injury. Without my helmet I don't think I would be here. As it is, I now have 6 vertebrae fused in my back (T2-T8) around where the spinal chord was impacted - and I can't ski this year... Though luckily, I'm already walking even without my cane and am very hopeful for a complete recovery.

So anyways, yes, I wear a helmet skiing. Even before this accident I was going to upgrade to a POC helmet because the rumor is that they are the only helmet rated above the normal standard that is less than 15mph impact. Screw that shit. I want to keep skiing for a while longer. I already almost fucked it up for good.

Helmets are like condoms. If you don't wear them, it will catch up to you... and the crazier you ride, the greater the risk.
Nov 9 2010 11:05AM
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nutsnbolts
Posts: 1110 - Karma: 16
Practicing, yes

Filming, no
Nov 9 2010 11:09AM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,846
i dont 'ride' on my skis. when im skiing im in control and im 'skiing'

but yeah i wear a helmet 99% of the time and if im not wearing one im skiing a lot more cautiously = less fun
Nov 9 2010 11:18AM
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erazzleski
Posts: 117 - Karma: 14
I always wear a helmet when I ride. I haven't had a situation yet where I was very glad I had it on, but I feel much more confident knowing that I am protecting myself when a trick takes a turn for the worst.
Nov 9 2010 11:22AM
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i.ski.troll.
Posts: 4692 - Karma: 247
I never used to wear one, and I got 3 concussions.  Almost always wear one these days.  One day last year I forgot to grab it, fell got a concussion.   Wear one almost always weather I am skiing or skating now.
Nov 9 2010 11:27AM
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gcobs123
Posts: 105 - Karma: 10
I always rock my helmet, saved my life more than once
Nov 9 2010 12:46PM
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The_Oakley_Kid
Posts: 3128 - Karma: 179
good call.  im thinking a shotgun... but jumping off a freeway overpass into oncoming traffic is sounding pretty damn fun too!
Nov 9 2010 12:53PM
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mackinnon
Posts: 5153 - Karma: 161
apparently strikeout isn't included in the allowed HTML...fail
Nov 9 2010 12:56PM
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Tablespoon
Posts: 923 - Karma: 14
Every time.
Nov 9 2010 12:57PM
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JPLL
Posts: 14 - Karma: 10
yes, always wear a helmet
Nov 9 2010 1:04PM
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dugger.
Posts: 227 - Karma: 309
i wear my helmet always unless im hiking, for some reason i get uncomfortable.
Nov 9 2010 1:41PM
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NL_twoplank
Posts: 118 - Karma: 40
yeah same, in my local park, helmets look way cooler on skiers than they do on snowboarders
Nov 11 2010 5:05PM
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Lucas.B
Posts: 250 - Karma: 523
i wear a helmet i don't want to be in a coma because i messed up a jump.
Nov 11 2010 5:07PM
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BOSSignol
Posts: 593 - Karma: 16
Never worn a helmet I'm kinda oldschool but I do plan on pickin one up at the dopest ski shop in the mothafuckin country this season. That is Berg's ski shop located in Eugene, Oregon
Nov 11 2010 5:42PM
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kevkols40
Posts: 27 - Karma: 11
i dont trust the other people on the mountain not to hit me.
Nov 14 2010 6:45PM
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Keyjibbs
Posts: 1542 - Karma: 96
I still have mixed feelings when it comes to helmets. Sure it probably would of saved me from a concussion last year but I also think it gives you a false sense of confidence. I noticed when I wasn't wearing my helmet I thought about things a lot differently. Where as if I was wearing my helmet I just kind of went for it knowing that I had a helmet on. Which in some cases actually made me fall and hit my head. So I'm still split on whether or not to wear a helmet this season.
Nov 14 2010 6:51PM
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,094
i wear one normally but so far it has just been too warm to have one on all day long. so iv been going free hair and shades hahahah
Nov 14 2010 7:00PM
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Butt=Tight
Posts: 315 - Karma: 5
Yeah boooy!  Throw a dome on!
Nov 14 2010 7:12PM
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baz1
Posts: 287 - Karma: -37
Good point, however you never really read the paper and see " Helmet do NOT save someones life" If you know what I mean.

I was in the same boat last year, unsure, but then I strapped a helmet on, and after a few days It just feels so natural, felt like I was not even wearing one.

In which case I believe it comes down to getting the right helmet.
Nov 16 2010 11:23AM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Yeah I know what you mean. Bern's helmets are very comfy, just make sure you get one with EPS foam.
Nov 16 2010 12:38PM
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five0
Posts: 11466 - Karma: 36
I wear a helmet 95% of the time for safety.  I've had two falls while skiing that ruptured my spleen.  When I first got into skiing helmets were so cumbersome it was a pain to wear it.  I'll go without a helmet in the spring or if I'm just cruising with my friends, even though I could still use a helmet.  When I'm with the pack and not trying to go big I just go with a steezy hat.

Check out my latest pictures, I've got a sick ns tribute on my helmet
Nov 16 2010 12:46PM
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fdsa
Posts: 686 - Karma: 19
100% of the time I wear a lid.

Saved me from a couple of good concussions.
Nov 16 2010 1:10PM
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.jon
Posts: 2121 - Karma: 345
Yup I wear one every day... cuz I'm pro at crashing.

It's really the cheapest insurance plan possible in skiing.
Nov 16 2010 1:17PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
every time i ski, including urban, not including back yard setup
Nov 16 2010 1:38PM
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Lucas.B
Posts: 250 - Karma: 523
hell ya!
Nov 16 2010 1:55PM
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powderwhore92
Posts: 119 - Karma: 24
I wear a helmet every day. I lose confidence without one cuz I really dont want a head injury.
Nov 16 2010 1:58PM
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Lucas.B
Posts: 250 - Karma: 523
LOL!
Nov 16 2010 2:01PM
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PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 609
no!
Nov 16 2010 2:03PM
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Frankensteeze
Posts: 89 - Karma: 14
Sometimes
Nov 16 2010 2:14PM
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.SillyGoose
Posts: 345 - Karma: 96
All the time. I think it looks better. And keeps me warm. But i guess the only need to wear a helmet is when your on groomers and in the park.
Nov 16 2010 2:27PM
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antwone
Posts: 1352 - Karma: 157
never skied seriously once in my life without a helmet
Nov 16 2010 2:41PM
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MikeTK
Posts: 549 - Karma: 126

I wear a helmet 70% of the time. and im really glad i do!

Nov 16 2010 2:51PM
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Jake...
Posts: 11976 - Karma: 296
The majority of parks as you said Doug in ontario are helmet mandatory. We moved to it last year, following suit of everyone else. Insurance pretty much forced us and its for a good cause. I know when we hear the insurance guys are around we have to make sure the orange and black S, M,L, XL signs for each feature is facing forward (wind can move them around), one guy won a lawsuit last year because he "didn't know the size of a feature" because the sign was pointing the wrong way. scam.....

anyways, helmet in park 100% always have always will, if we are doing a fun urban somewhere with low risk ill take it off for a few shots, thats about it.
Nov 16 2010 4:16PM
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JeremyB
Posts: 629 - Karma: 30

Yes, because we can't enter in every parks in Quebec without!

Dec 2 2010 6:59PM
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Swervasaurus
Posts: 615 - Karma: 185
DUH
How am I supposed to heavy head if i dont have a helmet?
Dec 2 2010 8:11PM
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