Helmet Fitting

In order to effectively protect you, your helmet must fit properly.  You must not buy a helmet which is too big for you.  Tips for determining your correct helmet size include;

• Measure the circumference of your head from 2 cm above your eyebrows around the largest part of your head.  Measure in centimetres as most manufacturers use this as their sizing.

• If you find that the size of your head falls between two sizes, opt for the larger.

• Your helmet must fit snuggly but not too tight

• What style of ski helmet should I buy?

There are a number of different styles of ski helmet.  The style of helmet you should choose will be determined by the level and type of skiier you are.  See below for a summary of each.

Full Shell Ski Helmet
Full shell styles offer complete coverage of your head and seal out wind, precipitation and other elements regularly encountered whilst skiing or boarding
Some full shell helmets have venting to help regulate temperature
This style of ski helmet is suitable for those skiiers or boarders who are planning to do a lot of tricks or faster skiing

Short Shell Ski Helmet
Short shell helmets provide comparable protection to full shell styles, they do not feel as constrictive as a full shell helmet and are less armored.  A short shell helmet offers less coverage.
Many short shell helmets include venting and removable liners
This helmet is suitable if you are not comfortable wearing a full helmet

Youth Ski Helmets
Youth helmets are not a different style of helmet they are simply proportioned to smaller heads
Look out for the same safety standards as adult ski helmets
Most have pads that can be inserted or removed adjusting to a child's head size

Competition Ski Helmet
Competition helmets have densely padded liners, structured open ear zones inside the shell, and add-on jaw pieces for speed and slalom events
As the name suggests this type of helmet is recommended if you plan on participating in some serious downhill competition.  This style of helmet is not really suitable for a strictly recreational skier

Over the Glasses Goggles (OTG)

Many manufacturers supply over the glasses goggles which are designed for glasses wearers who want to wear googles as well as glasses.  Most OTG goggles feature side cut outs in the foam to accommodate eyewear temples. Try to use polycarbonate in your glasses as opposed to glass. In its natural state polycarbonate is more fog resistant than glass.

Use nylon frames as opposed to metal. A cold metal frame can cause a cold lens, place this in a warm goggle and you have a good possibility of fogging. Use an anti-fog coating solution on the lenses of your glasses. Your goggles should rarely fog.

Put your goggles on just before leaving your hotel or chalet and this will keep the lenses from getting cold. Putting cold lenses in a warm goggle can cause fogging. It's best to keep everything at the same temperature. Ventilation is the key to fog free vision. Check your goggle vents from time to time to make sure snow is not building up and blocking ventilation. Goggles vent by drawing air in the top vent and out the bottom vent. Anything blocking the top or bottom vents can prevent this air flow.

Tips for contact lens wearers who use ski / snowboard goggles

Try and wear your goggles as much as possible. The heat and perspiration generated by your body creates a humid environment that will keep your lenses moist. Removing your goggles exposes your lenses to cold, dry air which can dry your lenses and cause irritation and blurred vision.

If you still have problems with your lenses drying, try using eye drops periodically through the day. 

One simple way of trying to keep your lenses moist is to blink. It sounds obvious but most people stare for long periods of time when they ski, as they are concentrating.