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May, 2025

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Worrying Trend (Helmets)

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Deviate
Posts: 273 - Karma: 240
Hi,

I'm Fred, I've been on NS for quite a while now and I've seen a lot of trends come and go. This one seems to be on the go (at least in videos), I'm talking about helmets.

First things first, a few acknowledgements and assumptions about helmets:

I realize wearing a helmet is personal choice, people are responsible for their own choices.

Even if you wear a helmet there is no guarantee that you will be saved from a life threatening head injury.

Fuck you, don't tell me what to wear.

Now then,

I've seen a lot of videos on this site and recently they have become very style focused, which I think is great. I love watching clean tricks (gives me inspiration). However, with the style also comes the "style appropriate" attire. This usually does not include use of a helmet. It is these types of videos that I see often get rated high. I'm guessing that a lot of skiers are very confident in their skiing abilities and are very familiar with features that they prefer to go for a cleaner look for videos.

Now I'm old enough to know that I'm very uncomfortable not wearing a helmet while skiing, I'd probably ski a lot slower and would certainly not go near a park without one. I've also been wearing a back protector for almost 10 years. I've been skiing all my life and have had a few episodes where I can honestly say I was very glad to be wearing these bits of equipment.

However, I know the average age of this site is a lot lower than me (I'm 31) and are more susceptible to trends and "what's cool". So I think it's a shame that it's becoming "less cool" to protect yourself and be a role model for self preservation for the sake of what seems to be a cleaner look in videos.

I know in snowboarding, where a lot of inspiration for skiing is derived from, helmets have never been cool and probably never will be. There have been a lot of accidents. I've always thought this has been a terrible culture within the snowboarding community. I'd prefer this not become the case for skiing.

Anyone else agree? or am I completely off.

Regardless of your choice,
Stay safe and enjoy this winter guys.
10 years ago
323 107
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SammyDubz
Posts: 2168 - Karma: 7,225
It's all about the swag. Who cares if you die, as long as you look good

But honestly, it's all personal choice. If you want to take the risk, go for it. I really don't care
10 years ago
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brett_f-Fan-Club
Posts: 53 - Karma: 316
Back in my day, kids respected their elders! And wore helmets!
10 years ago
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,700
DeviateI know in snowboarding, where a lot of inspiration for skiing is derived from


Excuse me sir...

Haha no but in all seriousness I agree that its a little silly to not wear a helmet while doing certain tricks, but as you said some of these guys are so comfortable with the tricks that it's not a big deal. I will do rails and some jump tricks that I know like the back of my hand without a helmet, but 95% of the time when I'm in the park I will be wearing a helmet just because accidents happen
10 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14048 - Karma: 50,946
I don't know about other people but I barely notice in edits who's wearing a helmet and who isn't. That also doesn't really effect my choice. I'll always wear a helmet and would hope my homies wear one too.
10 years ago
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,171
I don't wear one on my summer setup because I would get ridiculously sweaty and the falls are pretty mellow on that (falling on grass vs ice). My biggest fear is my head hitting the rail, my deck, or a piece of wood. That being said I wear my helmet when I ski that setup in the winter just in case, and I feel super uncomfortable skiing without one.
10 years ago
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IBAM
Posts: 1954 - Karma: 2,351
I'm actually really happy that, for the majority of cases, skiing's on-mountain culture is pro-helmet and no one thinks that you're "uncool" if you don't wear one. Whereas in other sports- skating and BMX for example- no one wears a helmet and you're deemed not hardcore or not cool if you do. In skiing, people really just don't care one way or another, which I think is great.
10 years ago
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Emma_Watson
Posts: 4491 - Karma: 6,798
To be honest, its not a personal choice. It's actually pretty damn selfish to not wear a helmet if you have people who care about you. You could smack your head real nice and become a vegetable for the rest of your life and your mom or dad or uncle or whatever has to change your shitfilled pants every 4 hours - and thats neither styley or cool.
10 years ago
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Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,323
"I've been on NS for quite a while now" Yet you are just realizing that people aren't wearing helmets?

"I've seen a lot of videos on this site and recently they have become very style focused" Recently? You mean the past 17 years?


Honestly, I stopped reading after that. Helmets have never been prevalent in ski videos/edits/etc. If you look at any kind of stats that might be available I guarantee you that helmet use is going up not down since 1995.
10 years ago
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,008
DeviateHowever, I know the average age of this site is a lot lower than me (I'm 31) and are more susceptible to trends and "what's cool". So I think it's a shame that it's becoming "less cool" to protect yourself and be a role model for self preservation for the sake of what seems to be a cleaner look in videos.


I saw Max hill in a video and it made me stop wearing a helmet.

Seriously though man, did all the kids growing up listening to NWA in the '90s create a generation of cop killers?

No.
10 years ago
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jynx81
Posts: 359 - Karma: 479
I dont think i ever spent a whole day without a helmet. reason being is a have a sick k2 helmet (yeah its it actually good quality) is it has a sound system and a fur liner i can remove and in the winter it comes down to warmth its just as warm as a bennie bu t also has the saftey a bennie dose not. And the new trend in the industry is camo theme so i think a millitary style lid is pretty cool. But
10 years ago
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marrows
Posts: 399 - Karma: 656
jynx81the new trend in the industry is camo theme


lol
10 years ago
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Lonely
Posts: 7122 - Karma: 69,153
I always where a helmet cuz I feel safer doing crazier shit I usually would not do
10 years ago
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
Worry about yourself how about that? You wear a helmet? Good for you. Joke lies on everyone else who doesn't. I wear one as well and don't get how you can't use one
10 years ago
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erica
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 24,099
I think back to the last couple edits I've watched I couldn't tell you which skiers wore a helmet and which didn't- nor do I care.

Not everyone who skis is going to wear one. I have to wear a helmet because quite frankly I'm really good at hitting my head so hard that I break them and I'd rather break a helmet in half once a year and be concussed for a couple weeks then end my season in a coma. That's not the case with everyone, you're not going to change someone's mind, and we're all here to decide and fend for ourselves.
10 years ago
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andy9127
Posts: 45 - Karma: 617
i agree. i noticed watching the faction collective crash edit how few of them wore helmets while hitting urban. they were chucking mad 4s onto sketchy rails surrounded by concrete. just seems stupid to me
10 years ago
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casey_cope
Posts: 675 - Karma: 3,398
It feels pretty good to not wear a helmet. It's less sweaty and more freeing. Top people probably don't wear them for that reason and then people automatically assume it is about style.
10 years ago
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Just_Send_It
Posts: 4761 - Karma: 992
not your head. don't worry about it bud.
10 years ago
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,788
I'm of the mindset to wear what you want. I wear a helmet personally, and kinda feel naked without one. I'll probably impose a helmet on any kids I have until they go through the "fuck you dad, let me express myself" phase, but not anyone else.

That said, NS has proven time and time again that our culture is filled with little style-chompers (how did afterbang even make its way into every edit of 2009?). Kids will totally sacrifice performance and safety in the name of style, and I don't see that changing any time soon. It would probably be nice if skiing's elite considered their influence, but realistically the elite probably didn't get where they are by being the type to play things safe.

So if you care, tell yer bros that you think they should wear a helmet, and don't expect helmets to ever be popular among the pros who are already willingly risking their lives on the daily.
10 years ago
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fries
Posts: 2978 - Karma: 7,522
I always wear a helmet because I feel really uncomfortable without it and I have no reason not too
10 years ago
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Deepskier
Posts: 3270 - Karma: 4,865
It may give mad style points but honestly ive had crashes hat would have fucked me up if i didnt have a helmet like had to go home hard hits and could hardley stand up but even after CRACKING MY FUCKING SKULL OPEN skating I wont wear a helmet when i bike or skate a lot even though i wasnt even in the state park it was in the middle of town but if you arnt comfy without a helmet then dont get preshered to leave it like the only time i might ski with out one is like maybe a sushy pond skim day or just really flat shit
10 years ago
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Karma_Police
Posts: 2655 - Karma: 1,628
People arguing it's a personal choice (aka standing up for those that aren't wearing them) literally have nothing to protect. Often times it's these situations that Darwin awards his trophy to said people.
10 years ago
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APunx176
Posts: 1189 - Karma: 2,628
DeviateI've been skiing all my life and have had a few episodes where I can honestly say I was very glad to be wearing these bits of equipment.


When I used to see people without helmets I wouldn't think anything of it, but last winter I went for a 720 and I ate shit hard. I was wearing a helmet but I got a concussion that took me out of sports for 2 months. Who knows where I would be right now if I wasn't wearing that helmet.

I'm still not gonna publicly bitch someone out for not wearing a helmet (especially if they aren't pushing themselves that hard) but I'd recommend it.
10 years ago
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YoungGun.
Posts: 267 - Karma: 562
Sometimes I don't wear one. Why? Because this is America and I don't have to.

"but, but, but its dangerous"
Ok, Billy, you know what else is dangerous? Pretty much everything nowadays because society is a bunch of fruit-cakes. Should we start wearing helmets in the shower in case we slip?

"You're selfish"
Yeah I am...what do you care?
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52632 - Karma: 174,693
DeviateI know the average age of this site is a lot lower than me (I'm 31) and are more susceptible to trends and "what's cool". So I think it's a shame that it's becoming "less cool" to protect yourself and be a role model for self preservation for the sake of what seems to be a cleaner look in videos.


Unfortunately somebody broke ground a year or so ago. He published a video on how to wear your helmet the cool way. With people no longer worrying about looking dumb wearing a helmet, the helmest industry was poised to make a huge leap in sales. The snowboard industry saw that as a win for corporate america(which they loathe) so they hire a some of the technine crew to perform a hit on him. The hit was carried out, and the kid, the video, and his message to the world were lost forever.

It was a dark day for helmet proponents. Some began spray painting their helmets camouflage to try to blend in. Their was fear of more backlash from the evil snowboarders.

Thankfully some brave souls decided to keep helmet wearers safe from the knuckles of the snowboarders forever. They introduced awesome, cool looking, covers that hide the helmet and let you sport a cool animal of your choice.

The numbers of people wearing helmets is soaring higher than ever. Some of the video companies(owned by snowboarders) are still holding out, forcing their skiers to ride without a helmet against their wills. More and more skiers have broken free and are starting their own companies. In the next 5 years I believe that 95% of people in the park, and in movies will be wearing helmets, and not just helmets, but helmets, covered by awesome and friendly looking animals!

Move over snowboarders! The cool bus is here!

10 years ago
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Jon_Taffer
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 5,386
you think we"re bad? look at skateboarding
10 years ago
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
Emma_WatsonTo be honest, its not a personal choice. It's actually pretty damn selfish to not wear a helmet if you have people who care about you. You could smack your head real nice and become a vegetable for the rest of your life and your mom or dad or uncle or whatever has to change your shitfilled pants every 4 hours - and thats neither styley or cool.


I definitely disagree with this. Every part of life involves taking risks. There's nothing any more selfish about not wearing a helmet than there is in taking any other risk. By your logic skiing is a very selfish activity.
10 years ago
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
I think more people would wear helmets in the park if helmet companies wised up and started making helmets with more than 4 air vents.

Even when it's -20 F I'm sweating buckets with a brain bucket on. No wonder kids don't want to wear that shit when they're throwing new tricks during spring skiing. Step up your game, helmet companies.
10 years ago
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270on420out
Posts: 7524 - Karma: 51,325
Jon_Tafferyou think we"re bad? look at skateboarding


Yeah, but it's more justifiable for skaters.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52632 - Karma: 174,693
THEDIRTYBUBBLEYeah, but it's more justifiable for skaters.

is it though?

So many hard surfaces to smack your dome on.
10 years ago
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270on420out
Posts: 7524 - Karma: 51,325
AlsoKnownAsis it though?

So many hard surfaces to smack your dome on.


I didn't say it was completely justifiable. Just more justifiable than skiing. Skiers are normally going way faster than skaters.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52632 - Karma: 174,693
THEDIRTYBUBBLEI didn't say it was completely justifiable. Just more justifiable than skiing. Skiers are normally going way faster than skaters.


But a rock or a crack in the pavement could take you out just as easy.
10 years ago
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APunx176
Posts: 1189 - Karma: 2,628
lIllII think more people would wear helmets in the park if helmet companies wised up and started making helmets with more than 4 air vents.

Even when it's -20 F I'm sweating buckets with a brain bucket on. No wonder kids don't want to wear that shit when they're throwing new tricks during spring skiing. Step up your game, helmet companies.


I have the k2 rant and I never have this problem. It's also pretty nice looking. There's a couple of snowboarder at my mountain that wear it too
10 years ago
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,753
I'm confused by the fact that you're claiming this as a new trend. I'm your age, and have been watching ski flicks since at least 2002, and I don't remember people wearing helmets in park shoots back in the day. Tanner, Pep, Pollard, Candide, etc. were never wearing helmets. Tanner didn't have a helmet on when he sw 9d chads.

To clarify, I'm not arguing about whether helmets are good or bad, I'm just pointing out that if anything, helmets have become much more prevalent in freeskiing. Yes, there's a contingent ( a large one) that do not wear helmets, but there are plenty top level skiers who get a shit ton of views that wear helmets.

One other thing, IMO, it is not at all an individual skier's responsibility to wear a helmet in order to influence others.
10 years ago
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Ugmasugma
Posts: 149 - Karma: 277
SammyDubzIt's all about the swag. Who cares if you die, as long as you look good

But honestly, it's all personal choice. If you want to take the risk, go for it. I really don't care


1. Look good
2. Have fun
3. Safety third
10 years ago
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Earl_Globz
Posts: 1556 - Karma: 823
Its super easy to get a concussion. With or without a helmet. I've gotten major concussions with a helmet on. I got brain damage without one. Do whatever you want, but know the risks.
10 years ago
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e~b
Posts: 861 - Karma: 2,736
casey_copeIt feels pretty good to not wear a helmet.


it also feels good to not be paralyzed.

there have been a few times in the spring i haven't worn a helmet, but for the majority of the time I do. I have had a few hard hits, and i consider myself blessed i had my helmet on when they occurred
10 years ago
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dan4060
Posts: 1458 - Karma: 847
bighomieflockI definitely disagree with this. Every part of life involves taking risks. There's nothing any more selfish about not wearing a helmet than there is in taking any other risk. By your logic skiing is a very selfish activity.


You gain something from skiing, and driving is necessary. Skiing without a helmet gains you nothing and adds a significant amount of risk. I would not force people to wear them, but it is stupid not to.
10 years ago
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Deviate
Posts: 273 - Karma: 240
casualI'm confused by the fact that you're claiming this as a new trend. I'm your age, and have been watching ski flicks since at least 2002, and I don't remember people wearing helmets in park shoots back in the day. Tanner, Pep, Pollard, Candide, etc. were never wearing helmets. Tanner didn't have a helmet on when he sw 9d chads.

To clarify, I'm not arguing about whether helmets are good or bad, I'm just pointing out that if anything, helmets have become much more prevalent in freeskiing. Yes, there's a contingent ( a large one) that do not wear helmets, but there are plenty top level skiers who get a shit ton of views that wear helmets.

One other thing, IMO, it is not at all an individual skier's responsibility to wear a helmet in order to influence others.


True that. But way back when helmets for skiing were mainly for racing and to be honest looked awful and were terrible to wear. I think around the early/mid 2000s helmet designs began to become more progressive both in function and comfort. I remember I didn't really use a helm regularly until I got my first sweet protection helmet in 2004. Helmet design has certainly come a long way in 10 years, so there should be a design and shape that everyone can appreciate.

And yes, I also believe helmets are on the rise in general, here in Norway I rarely see anyone in parks skiing without one. So I find it a bit strange that a lot of good skiers in the videos I watch seem to be going the other way. :/

PS: Glad to see a discussion, both for and against!
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52632 - Karma: 174,693
I'm not sure about you guys but it seems like kids where I ski are taking safety more seriously.

A few times a day people are heading off from the park to have safety meetings. I'm not sure who's running the programs, as I never see anything about them on the events page, but I think it's very cool to see the younger generation take safety so seriously.

Like my dad always said. There's no such thing as too much training. Maybe I'll call the mountain and ask if I can sign up for some of them this year. Even at my age it would be nice to have a refresher course.
10 years ago
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casey_cope
Posts: 675 - Karma: 3,398
e~bit also feels good to not be paralyzed.

there have been a few times in the spring i haven't worn a helmet, but for the majority of the time I do. I have had a few hard hits, and i consider myself blessed i had my helmet on when they occurred


My dude paralyzation comes from spinal cord injury for the most part. Also I wear my helmet all the time. I'm just explaining the no helmet thing
10 years ago
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e~b
Posts: 861 - Karma: 2,736
casey_copeMy dude paralyzation comes from spinal cord injury for the most part. Also I wear my helmet all the time. I'm just explaining the no helmet thing


i meant more like being brain dead, not sure why i said paralyzed. i feel you my bad
10 years ago
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iH8pow
Posts: 1891 - Karma: 8,512
idk what's with the helmet trend in that almost everybody on the mountain wears them these days whether skiing powder, park, or swivel hipping down greens and blues. It's not like with other sports how the gear needs to be improved and worn because the athletes are getting faster, stronger and more beefed up with supplements and roids. Ski hills have always been the same, and the only thing that has changed is the skis which makes skiing safer if anything.

I'm in the same boat, the majority of the time I ski park I definitely wear a helmet but I still find myself pondering why skiers became such pussies
10 years ago
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,753
AlsoKnownAsI'm not sure about you guys but it seems like kids where I ski are taking safety more seriously.

A few times a day people are heading off from the park to have safety meetings. I'm not sure who's running the programs, as I never see anything about them on the events page, but I think it's very cool to see the younger generation take safety so seriously.

Like my dad always said. There's no such thing as too much training. Maybe I'll call the mountain and ask if I can sign up for some of them this year. Even at my age it would be nice to have a refresher course.


10 years ago
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
dan4060You gain something from skiing, and driving is necessary. Skiing without a helmet gains you nothing and adds a significant amount of risk. I would not force people to wear them, but it is stupid not to.


Skiing without a helmet obviously does gain you something or people wouldn't do it. It feels better and more free. The chances of getting a catastrophic injury are pretty low for the majority of skiers even not wearing a helmet. In the end I wear a helmet because I think the added safety outweighs the slight loss of comfort but I don't give a shit what other people decide to do and you really can't call a risk like not wearing a helmet any more "selfish" than any of the other risks you take in life.
10 years ago
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p-fo
Posts: 9372 - Karma: 6,156
I don't wear a helmet a lot of the summer because I'm mostly just surfing around casually hitting rails (if that). Helmets get hot in the summer, just by themselves. Ripping wide open slushy Palmer in the afternoon with the wind in your hair is one of the best feelings I know. But if I want to ski harder and try new stuff, I just put it on, sometimes a mouth guard as well.
In the winter I just wear a helmet all the time because I get no benefit whatsoever from not doing so. In fact I often need it for warmth as well as protection.
10 years ago
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SchnackD
Posts: 48 - Karma: 289
If you wear a snapback under the helmet you look pretty steezy and it protects your from cancer.
10 years ago
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Marc_21
Posts: 26 - Karma: 35
I'll admit... Just a beanie and goggles look pretty sick. In the park, whats "Steezy" is different though. Helmets in the park don't look that bad, but in big mountain you look way better without one. However, one shot in an edit isn't worth a brain injury. Even WITH a helmet people die, like Sarah Burke and Sam Jackenthal.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52632 - Karma: 174,693
Marc_21I'll admit... Just a beanie and goggles look pretty sick. In the park, whats "Steezy" is different though. Helmets in the park don't look that bad, but in big mountain you look way better without one. However, one shot in an edit isn't worth a brain injury. Even WITH a helmet people die, like Sarah Burke and Sam Jackenthal.


WUT.jpeg

In big mountain edits you pay attention to whether somebody is wearing a helmet or not? And judge them off that?

I don't really notice or care who wears a helmet, or has a backpack, what coat they're wearing, when people are dropping sick lines. I'm watching the pow fly out on the turns, the fluid sway through the trees, the slow spins off ridiculously huge cliffs, etc.

At the end of a segment if you asked me who had a helmet or not, I probably couldn't tell ya.
10 years ago
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JakeBarrett
Posts: 1237 - Karma: 1,844
Depends on the day tbh
10 years ago
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