Boagster t1_j9qi2pm wrote on February 23, 2023 at 9:09 PM

Reply to comment by Renaissance_Slacker in ELI5: Why do people wear different types of helmets when skiing and bicycling? by LucasUnited

If you think your only concern when skiing (or snowboarding) is fluffy snow, you either never skied or only skied high-end western US, European alpine, or some sort of 'exotic' mountain, all during prime conditions. Ice is a mainstay of pretty much any high-traffic mountain that isn't wide-open (such as all mountains in the eastern US, where you are almost exclusively regulated to established trails). Trees, rocks, and ski lift structures are also significant concerns on many mountains, as well. Some mountains even have condos right alongside some trails, meaning if you lose control, you could end up hitting a building or someone's vehicle.

LikesTheTunaHere t1_j9su6rr wrote on February 24, 2023 at 8:38 AM

Not a skier but Ive down downhill mtb.

Do they not do ski helmets the way they do mtb bike helmets and different ones have different levels of protection? Or is it fairly minimal in terms of different levels, I know different brands will differ but I mean is there a "high speed\high impact" style compared to a groomed trail style?

I know there isn't face guards like downhill mtb helmets but maybe more rear protection or less venting and more surface area for padding?

maybe Multi impact helmets like skateboarding helmets vs one time use like bike helmets?

Boagster t1_ja4dp4s wrote on February 26, 2023 at 7:28 PM

AFAIK, your choices, as far as "general impact resistance", are either in-mold or injected foam - basically, one-time-hit that doesn't do much for small hits but takes a hard hit well versus meant to the small hits regularly but doesn't do as well in a hard hit.

You toss both after a good hit, but the former is lighter and meant for those riding in ways that don't expect a fall but want protection in case of the worst, while the other is for skiers expecting to fall, like air or pipe skiers/snowboarders.

Renaissance_Slacker t1_j9tiwta wrote on February 24, 2023 at 1:31 PM

You’re 100% correct, there’s plenty of hard unmoving objects that necessitate ski helmets. When I was in my 20’s I hit an ice patch while skiing and went into a tree sideways, hitting so hard I almost severed my quadriceps without breaking the skin. A ski patrol saw the incident and assumed my leg was broken, they were dumbfounded when I stood up, waved them off and skiied away. It wasn’t until the next day when I got out of bed and face-planted that I realized how bad it was. Was on crutches for over a year. Helmets, kids.