Protect your head with one of the best ski helmets

A ski helmet is, without doubt, the most important item you need to have with you when you’re going skiing or snowboarding. While it’s also imperative you arm yourself with a jacket, some gloves, and some goggles, a ski helmet is the only thing that can truly minimise your chances of injury.

The majority of resorts won’t let you step foot into your boots without having one, but you’ll often see that one guy who thinks he’s invincible.

He’s not, and neither are you. So investing in some serious head protection is absolutely vital and should really be your first port of call when stocking up on ski and snowboard gear.

There are countless construction methods, materials, and technologies used within ski helmets to help keep your noggin safe, along with other third-party products that add to their protectiveness, comfort, and ease of use. But for the best ski helmet, you ought to look out for the following features:

MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It’s been developed by brain surgeons and scientists, and is an added layer fitted to helmets to help reduce rotational forces applied to your head in crashes. When you fall off your skis, you’re likely to fall at an angle.

Ski helmets that don’t have MIPS will rotate with your head, which can apply potentially damaging forces on your brain. What MIPS does is allow the helmet to move by up to 15mm during an impact, absorbing more of the energy and transferring it around the rest of the surface area to take the stress away from your brain.

Not all ski helmet manufacturers have adopted MIPS, but the ones that have will rock a yellow logo, so be sure to look out for this.

In-Mould is a form of building method that sees an inner foam layer fused directly to the outer helmet layer. Some manufacturers have their own various ways of referring to it but they all relate to the same thing.

In-Mould ski helmets are tough-as-nails, being highly resistant to cracks from impacts and they allow for larger vents to be integrated too, improving airflow and keeping your head cool.

It should go without saying that a ski helmet will only be truly effective if it is well-fitted to your head. You may need to try on a few different models to find one that works for you, and much of that will depend on the adjustment system it provides. Ski helmets come in sizes such as S/M and M/L, to cater for a range of head sizes, but then offer an adjustable inner layer to secure it in place.

Different manufacturers may use their own in-house systems, K2, for example, has a K2 Dialed system. Others, such as Smith and Oakley, have adopted the BOA Fit system. This third-party system is used on snowboard boots and ski helmets and allows the wearer to turn a dial to tighten or loosen the fit. Once you’ve found a fit that works, you simply push the dial in to hold it in place (and push to release it to make changes).

With your helmet fitted snugly to your head, all that’s left to do is fasten the chin strap. With thick ski gloves on though, it can sometimes be tricky, especially if your helmet has a conventional clasp fastening. Ski helmet manufacturers are now turning to magnets to make the process much easier.

The most common system – and arguably one of the best – you’re likely to see, comes from Fidlock, masters of magnetic fastenings. Helmets with Fidlock buckles can be operated with one hand and without looking. All you need to do is slide the opposing pieces together and they’ll remain securely in place until you need to take it off.

Can you take a ski helmet as hand luggage? Yes. You can put your ski helmet in your carry-on bags when travelling through airports. Others can also get away by clipping them outside their cabin bags. How to measure for ski helmet? To know your ski helmet size, use a fabric tape measure around the circumference of your head, about 2.5 cm above your ears and eyebrows. Can I use a bike helmet for skiing? Absolutely not. A bicycle helmet is not designed for skiing or snowboarding. You must wear the proper gear to protect yourself from injuries in case of accidents.

Yes. You can put your ski helmet in your carry-on bags when travelling through airports. Others can also get away by clipping them outside their cabin bags.

To know your ski helmet size, use a fabric tape measure around the circumference of your head, about 2.5 cm above your ears and eyebrows.

Absolutely not. A bicycle helmet is not designed for skiing or snowboarding. You must wear the proper gear to protect yourself from injuries in case of accidents.

There are myriad manufacturers producing high-performance ski helmets, so we’ve sifted through the vast baulk to let you know which ones are really are the best.

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