After careful consideration, we have finally come down on the side of helmets and strongly recommend your Powderpig wear a helmet during lessons. Up until a few years ago we left the helmet VS hat decision up to our parents. The final decision still belongs to our student’s parents, but we have collected enough information to convince us that helmets are a good idea. So we now recommend that your child wear a helmet when they are on the slopes and ask they wear one that is properly fit, adjusted & firmly fastened during lessons.

When you go to purchase a helmet, here are some things to remember:

• The helmet needs to be specifically designed for snow sports with good peripheral vision and made so hearing is not hindered by the helmet.
• Buy the very best you can find that fits your child’s head comfortably and properly.
• Helmets should ALWAYS be fit by a trained professional.

Each time your child is using their helmet, before you send them off, always check to:  Make sure that the straps are properly adjusted so the helmet is held firmly in place in case of a fall.  And make sure the straps always get fastened before heading for the slopes. This means the chin strap sits snuggly under the chin so the helmet doesn’t slip back and forth on the scalp. When the helmet is fit properly and the strap is adjusted properly the scalp will move rather than the helmet. This assures you the helmet will stay in place and do the job when it is needed.

Helmets and spring skiing: When the sun is shining and the weather has gotten warmer, it is very important to remember that helmets are well insulated and heat, usually dispersed via the head, will not have that avenue of escape. Brains do NOT like to be baked – and keeping track of temperatures and exposure to direct sun (especially if the helmet is a dark color) and subsequent heat levels in the helmet wearer is vital.

Also important:

• Making sure that other ways of getting rid of excess heat are maximized.
• Staying well hydrated
• Wearing layers that can be removed as things heat up (one piece suits do not work well for this)
• Checking yourself, your children and each other for signs of overheating & dehydration
• Maintaining an awareness of the potential for overheating.