[Angela]

I use a Bern Macon, its small and it doesn't look like I have a fish bowl on my head. I can also take the liner out and use it for mountain biking and kayaking.

[sparty]

I've never ridden without one. With a helmet on, I don't worry too much about falling because I know I have some form of protection.

Personally, I think I look a bit goofy wearing one, but it's well worth it to protect my noggin.

[Mr. Right]

I would say yes and no. Honestly, 90% of the people I see wearing helmets are scared to death scooting down the mountain going 1/2 mph, and I don't really feel like they need them. If you are an aggressive rider, do backcountry, or are accident prone, then yes. I do plan on getting one at some point probably over the summer but we'll see. Normally when I eat it, it's on hardpacked or icy b.s. when it could come in handy the most to have a helmet. Even with that said, it's usually my neck that hurts and not my head after such a fall.

[PapaWood]

I rock a padded REDs beanie when im not wearing a helmet (boarding with friends who are FNGs, etc.) These are a prety good alternative for someone who absolutely can't stand a helmet. They are lightweight and feel and look the same as a thicker beanie. These obviously won't help you from supreme noggin shock and thus don't have a safety rating, but they will do a prety good job if you just bif and whack your head a little.

[romesaz]

Originally Posted by Mr. Right

I would say yes and no. Honestly, 90% of the people I see wearing helmets are scared to death scooting down the mountain going 1/2 mph, and I don't really feel like they need them. If you are an aggressive rider, do backcountry, or are accident prone, then yes. I do plan on getting one at some point probably over the summer but we'll see. Normally when I eat it, it's on hardpacked or icy b.s. when it could come in handy the most to have a helmet. Even with that said, it's usually my neck that hurts and not my head after such a fall.

You have too much faith in other rides. I know a knee to my head while strapping into bindings. I was out for the rest of the day. Fortunately the helmet was already on at the time that the rider smashed into me.

Who cares what you look like. Buy it, wear it. There's no point choosing looks over health.

[sedition]

Originally Posted by romesaz

You have too much faith in other rides.

BINGO. I have been meaning to get a helmet for awhile, but just didn't. A close call last week changed everything. Now I have one, and I wont go on the mountain again without it.

So, last week I was that "other rider." Something almost happened that would have been totally my fault, as I was being irresponsible, unsafe, "negligent," and would have landed someone in the hospital.

I am FLYING down a trail. Snow was hard, cold, and packed (i.e. really fast). The trail bottle-necked into a pretty steep drop-off section. There are few riders ahead of me, going quite slow. I plot my line to get around / pass them. The trail got really narrow near the steep part. I planned a line to pass the last person that was WAY too close to him. Right as he comes to the crest of the steep section, he suddenly turns a full 90 degrees and comes to an almost stop (he was going to heel-edge-it the whole way down the steep section). The nose of his board was now EXACTLY where I was going to pass him. At this point I am about 5 feet away from him, and going mack 10. I manages to carve around his board, and somehow stay upright and get down the steep section without falling (I would have been hurting real bad if I had lost it). If I had hit him, going the speed I was going...I can only imagine what hospital the two of us would be in right now. The other guy had *no idea* what had almost happened.

So, that little stunt terrified me. I was shaking when I got the bottom of the hill, and had to sit down for a bit. I've been riding for 20 years. I know how to control my board. The problem is that leads to over-confidence sometimes, and that can put other people, and myself, in danger. Way not cool.

Moral of the story: It's not just your own ability (or inability) that a helmet can save you from. It can also save you from some idiot who is not being respectful of others (like I was). Lesson learned. And like that kid I almost hit, you may have no idea how close you have already come to getting really, really, hurt due to someone else making poor choices.

In order to ride, helmets are as essential as snow.

[romesaz]

Thanks sedition, that just emphasized what I've had in mind since I've started the sport. On the local hill, there's a nice "long" green run that a lot of new riders/skiers go to because 1) it takes you from top of the hill to bottom and you get a decent view 2) it takes longer than 30 seconds to complete and so gives you a chance to try something and get a hang of it.
problem is that there are a lot of experienced riders that use these newcomers a obstacles, and whiz by every few seconds...

[wrathfuldeity]

fixin brains is not like fixin scrambled eggs or broken bones...you could be the bacon

[sedition]

Originally Posted by romesaz

problem is that there are a lot of experienced riders that use these newcomers a obstacles, and whiz by every few seconds...

That happens on every trail, on every mountain, even double-blacks. Your always going to have someone who is going faster, and passing people who are down hill from them. Like driving a car, the rule is that you are only supposed to pass when it is safe to do so, and the person downhill has the right of way from anyone up hill.

However, I think this issue is more of a concern on greens/bunny hills. It scares new riders, and it just really inconsiderate. I really wish ski patrol would yank more passes for people doing this on such type of trails.

[Dirtyeggroll]

ya i bought 1 but didnt wear it at first. But after a few good smacks to the head in the park i defiantly put it on.