Tripp Fay, Copper Mountain
Helmet Safety A Good Idea
Colorado Ski Country USA supports the use of ski and snowboard helmets and encourages you to educate yourself on the benefits and limitations of wearing them. Helmets provide added protection when you fall, but wearing a helmet doesnt give you permission to ski or snowboard faster or more recklessly.
Over the course of the past several seasons, more and more skiers and snowboarders are wearing helmets on the slopes, a trend that has increased steadily according to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). In fact, an overwhelming majority of adults and children wear helmets while skiing and snowboarding and about 90 percent of children nine years old and younger wear helmets, according to NSAA. At some resorts, helmets are mandatory for children taking lessons as part of ski and ride school, and many resorts offer daily helmet rentals.
For Parents
The most important consideration when buying or renting a helmet for your child is to make sure it fits properly. A ski and snowboard helmet is not something to grow into. Its very important that the helmet fits snugly and is secured with the helmet strap. Helmets designed for other uses (bike, skate, baseball, etc.) should not be used for skiing and snowboarding helmets unless they are designed for such uses. Be sure the helmet you purchase meets the specific design and safety criteria for skiing and snowboarding. Before purchasing a helmet, its a good idea to spend some time researching helmet manufacturer websites for design information, fitting instructions, and other specifications. However, not all helmets fit universally, so its important to try on several different helmet brands and styles to find the one that fits your child the best. While there is much to consider when purchasing a ski and snowboard helmet, there is a wealth of information available online.
Learn more at: www.lidsonkids.org
Eyewear on the Slopes
Whether its a sunny day, or overcast, its important to always wear proper eye protection while skiing and snowboarding. Sunglasses provide good protection from harmful UV rays, especially on bright sunny days at higher altitude. However, sunglasses have their limitations. They can fall off easily when you fall, they provide only limited protection on windy days, and they do not provide good protection when its snowing. Ski and snowboard goggles provide the best overall protection for every day on the slopes, especially for children. While sunglasses can easily be lost or broken, goggles can be secured to the helmet with the goggle strap. Goggles provide the best protection on snowy and windy days when the weather changes. Here again, making sure the goggles fit properly is very important. When fitting children, be sure to try on the helmet and goggles together to make sure of a seamless fit.
Learn more at: The Goggle Gap Project
