Ski & Snowboard Helmets

Yes! When it comes to downhill skiing, a snow helmet isn't just an accessory, it's a crucial piece of safety gear. Skiing and snowboarding involve inherent risks—from high-speed falls to collisions with trees, rocks, or other riders—and a helmet significantly reduces your chances of a head injury as a result of these accidents. It acts as a protective barrier for your skull, absorbing impact and minimizing the potential for concussions or more severe trauma. Remember, even experienced skiers encounter unexpected situations, both when riding on crowded resort slopes and on remote backcountry peaks. A helmet provides essential protection and should be worn regardless of skill level.

Wearing a snow helmet offers protection against head injuries while skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Helmets absorb impact and reduce the risk of concussions and skull fractures in the event of a fall or collision with another rider or obstacle, like a tree or rock. The best snow helmets also provide warmth and insulation, keeping your head and ears comfortable in cold temperatures with earmuffs and internal liners, and offer ventilation ports for breathability in warmer temperatures. A helmet with bright colors and reflective elements will also make you more noticeable to other skiers and snowboarders on the slopes.

Look for a snow helmet with an eye for safety, comfort, and fit. First, your helmet should meet universally accepted safety standards, such as EN 1077:2007, to ensure it provides adequate protection in a crash. A comfortable fit is crucial for extended wear, so try on different helmets to find one that sits snugly without feeling too tight, and beyond adjustable straps, look for additional features that allow you to fine-tune the fit, like the ErgoKnob dial found on many retrospec helmets. Consider accessory components, like adjustable vents for temperature regulation, earmuffs, a comfortable liner, and a built-in goggle clip for your snow goggles.

Snow helmets are typically constructed from a tough outer shell made from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic or polycarbonate to protect against penetration and distribute impact force. Inside, an EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam liner cushions the head and absorbs impact energy. The best ski and snowboard helmets include additional features for comfort, like earmuffs, liners, adjustable vents, and fit dials for maximum comfort.

Neither the U.S. federal government nor any of the 50 states require people to wear ski and snowboard helmets. However, many ski resorts have helmet policies, requiring riders—particularly youth riders—to wear helmets on the slopes. Regardless of the rules, wearing a snow helmet is strongly recommended for all winter sports enthusiasts. Head injuries account for up to 20% of skiing and snowboarding injuries in the United States each year, and helmet use will dramatically reduce these risks!

While you might see helmets labeled specifically for skiing or snowboarding, there's no significant technical difference between the two at the base level. Both are designed to protect your head from a similar style of impact and to perform in near-identical conditions in terms of ventilation, warmth, and protection. Any differences are usually aesthetic. Ultimately, a good quality snow sports helmet will protect you whether you're skiing, snowboarding, or even snow tubing!

Our snow helmets are sized based on the circumference of your head. To choose the right size snow helmet, whether you’re buying from retrospec or another brand, you’ll need to know your head’s circumference. Measure your head with a tape measure, wrapping it around your forehead, just above your eyebrows. The tape should rest just above your ears and remain level around the circumference of your head. If you don’t have flexible measuring tape, you can use string, mark it, and then lay it out flat and measure it with a ruler or traditional tape measure. Compare your head measurement with the listed helmet sizes to find your perfect fit.

A properly fitted snow helmet should sit snugly on your head, without feeling too tight. It should cover your forehead and rest just above your eyebrows. The chin strap should be securely fastened, allowing for only one or two fingers to fit between the strap and your chin.

To clean your snow helmet, start by mixing a mild soap with warm water. Gently wipe the exterior of the helmet with a soft cloth or sponge dipped in the soapy water, paying attention to the vents. If possible, remove and wash your helmet’s earmuffs or other lining separately. If not removable, carefully wipe the interior with a damp cloth. Rinse the helmet thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue, and allow it to air dry completely before storing or using it again. Avoid using harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or excessive heat, which could damage your helmet.

Many people wear warm hats underneath their snow helmets, but it’s generally not recommended, as this can affect the helmet's fit and reduce its effectiveness in a crash. The best snow helmets will be warm and insulating on their own with built-in liners and earmuffs, so you won’t need to wear a beanie beneath them. If you do need extra warmth, look for a thin, helmet-compatible liner.

Although it might seem like any helmet is better than none, using a hockey helmet for skiing is not recommended. Hockey helmets are designed for multiple low-impact collisions, prioritizing protection to the front and sides of the head, while ski helmets are designed for single high-impact collisions with more protection for the back and sides. Ski and snowboard helmets also have a more rounded shape, better impact absorption for high-speed crashes, superior ventilation, and are designed to meet specific safety certifications (EN 1077:2007) that hockey helmets don’t. In short, using a hockey helmet while skiing will increase your risk of head injury. Always choose a helmet specifically designed for the activities you plan on participating in!

No, a ski mask isn't strictly necessary for snowboarding or skiing, but it can be beneficial in cold weather. It provides an extra layer of protection from the wind, snow, and sun, keeping your face and neck warm and preventing frostbite and sunburn. If you’re going to wear a ski mask with your snow helmet, however, ensure that it’s thin, as thick masks or beanies can affect your helmet’s fit, and reduce its effectiveness in a crash. (See “Can I wear a beanie or hat under my snow helmet?” above.)

Helmet use in snow sports has significantly increased in recent years, but there are still those who ski or snowboard without head protection. The National Ski Areas Association reported that in the 2023/24 season, 90% of skiers and snowboarders wore helmets. While this is great news compared to previous decades (in the early 2000s a mere 25% of skiers and snowboarders wore helmets), it's still a concerning statistic. Snow helmets are crucial for reducing the risk of head injuries in skiing and snowboarding and should always be worn.

Yes! Of course, no helmet is completely concussion-proof, but the best ski and snowboard helmets certainly go a long way toward preventing concussions and other head injuries. An article in SKI Magazine revealed that “helmets reduced non-serious head injuries, such as minor concussions, by nearly 70 percent in the 17 seasons between 1995 and 2012.”

The lifespan of a snow helmet depends on factors like frequency of use, impact exposure, and storage. At a bare minimum, it's recommended to replace your snow helmet every three to five years. You should also replace it after any significant impact, fall, or collision. Even if there is no visible damage, the helmet’s integrity could be compromised, and it may not be able to protect you in a future accident.

To keep your snow helmet in top condition for next season, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. Avoid storing it in a damp environment, as moisture can damage the inner liner. Ideally, keep it in its original bag or a soft cloth bag to protect it from dust and scratches. Don't stack heavy objects on top of it either, as this can deform the helmet's shape and compromise its protective capabilities.

This is a common question asked about all sorts of helmets, from ski and snowboard helmets to bike and skate helmets to motorcycle helmets and rock climbing helmets. The answer is a bit of a mixed bag. The reason dropping a helmet can ruin it is because the impact-absorbent expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam found inside the best snow helmets is designed to take as much force as possible out of a single, intense impact. Even if there is no visible external damage, smaller impacts and drops can cause micro-compressions in this EPS foam, hindering your helmet’s ability to protect you when you really need it. Does that mean you need to replace your helmet any time it bumps into anything? No. Just use your best judgment. If you dropped your helmet a couple of feet onto the snow, it’s probably fine. If it fell off the roof of your car onto concrete, you need to replace it. (The general rule is a drop onto a hard surface from anywhere above three to five feet warrants a replacement.) Err on the side of caution. Remember, this is your brain we’re talking about! It’s worth the price of a new helmet.