HELMET SAFETY – A GOOD IDEA 

Colorado Ski Country encourages you to educate yourself on the benefits and limitations of wearing ski and snowboard helmets. Helmets provide added protection when you fall, but wearing a helmet doesn’t give you permission to ski or snowboard faster or more recklessly.
About 81 percent of all skiers and snowboarders, and 90 percent of children seventeen years old and younger wear helmets on the slopes, numbers that have steadily increased over the past decade, according to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). At some resorts, helmets are mandatory for children taking lessons as part of ski and snowboard school, and many resorts offer inexpensive daily helmet rentals.

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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. It’s 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. Be sure the helmet you purchase meets the specific design and safety criteria for skiing and snowboarding.
Before purchasing a helmet, it’s a good idea to spend time researching helmet manufacturer websites for design information, fitting instructions, and other specifications. Not all helmets fit the same, so it’s 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.

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Eyewear on the Slopes
Whether it’s a sunny day, or overcast, it’s important to always wear proper eye protection while skiing and snowboarding. Goggles provide the best protection particularly on snowy and windy days. 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 they fit seamlessly.
Sunglasses provide good protection from harmful ultraviolet rays, especially on bright sunny days at higher elevations. 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 it’s 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.