It wasn’t that long ago when wearing a helmet while skiing or snowboarding was a rare occurrence. According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSSA), the overall percentage of skiers and riders wearing helmets was 25 percent during the 2002-03 season. That percentage rose dramatically over the last twenty years to 90 percent during the 2023-24 season. It has become rarer and in some cases even unacceptable to be seen skiing or snowboarding without a helmet today. It is a complete reversal of norms and perceptions of what is considered ‘cool’ and, more importantly, being ‘safe’ on the slopes.

In 2011, New Jersey became the first and only state to require children under 18 to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding. In most states and regions, wearing a helmet is a personal choice; however, many ski areas have requirements for employees to wear helmets and for guests participating in lessons. Numbers and research indicate that wearing a helmet while skiing or snowboarding on the slopes significantly reduces the likelihood of an individual sustaining a serious injury. While most skiers and snowboarders choose to wear helmets freely, one may wonder if states or ski areas should require everyone to wear helmets while on the mountain.

The NSAA, ski areas, and partner organizations have helped educate snowsports employees and guests about helmet safety through programs such as the NSAA’s legacy Lids on Kids campaign and the High Fives Foundation’s Helmets are Cool series. These education efforts are highlighted nationwide throughout the year, particularly during National Safety Month in May. “It is important to remember that skiing and riding safely and responsibly, in addition to wearing a helmet, is the best way to prevent incidents and injuries out on the mountain,” Kelly Pawlak, NSAA president, said.

According to the NSAA, studies have shown that helmets can be effective in preventing some severe head injuries in addition to minor head injuries. However, helmets are not 100% effective in every situation. Helmets are most effective when worn by someone who is skiing and riding in control and following the points of the Your Responsibility Code. NSAA’s longstanding Lids on Kids program, committed to educating parents and children on the importance and proper use of snow sports helmets, has achieved strong success.

The NSAA reported 35 skier and snowboarder fatalities at U.S. ski areas during the 2023-24 season. This was the lowest number of fatalities at U.S. ski areas in the last ten seasons. Only five people involved in fatal incidents were not wearing helmets.

According to the NSAA, a catastrophic injury is a life-altering injury, including a broken neck or back resulting in full or partial paralysis, serious head injuries, and injuries resulting in the loss of a limb. Eliminated from this statistic are health-related catastrophic injuries (e.g., heart attacks) and the majority of employee catastrophic injuries. The 49 reported catastrophic injuries during the 2023-24 season were higher than the 10-year average of 41 catastrophic injuries per season. Eleven people involved in catastrophic injury incidents were not wearing helmets.

Whether you’re an experienced rider or just hitting the slopes for the first time, wearing a helmet can make all the difference in staying safe and enjoying your time on the mountain. Although helmets protect your head, they don’t prevent all injuries, especially those caused by high-speed impacts or collisions with obstacles. It is essential to understand that helmets are far less effective at higher speeds. There are more people wearing helmets on the slopes than ever before, but it is a fair question to ask which ones do their job and protect individuals from head injuries.

There are many helmets on the market to choose from, and it can be a little confusing to determine which ones are the safest. Researchers at Virginia Tech have conducted helmet ratings for the past 17 seasons, using data on ski helmet usage. They concluded that as helmet usage increased over that period, there was also a dramatic improvement in the decline of potentially serious head injuries (PSHI), notably concussions. The study’s authors found that three-quarters of all PSHI from skiing or snowboarding were mild concussions, and 90% of PSHI are typically treated and released from hospitals or clinics within four hours. The study concluded that ski and snowboard helmets are effective at preventing skull fractures and have nearly eliminated scalp lacerations.

According to Virginia Tech, the ratings, which are based on years of research and expertise in injury biomechanics, provide a unique, evidence-based way for consumers to determine which helmets offer the best protection. They’re made possible by the lab’s rigorous analysis of what happens during a head impact in a particular sport and which impacts are most likely to turn into injuries. According to the tests, the POC Artic SL 360 Spin earned a 5-star rating. Its STAR value score of 0.36 ranked #1 of 48 helmets tested. The helmet cost $200 at the time of testing.

The ratings are an independent and objective assessment of helmet performance for consumers, free from manufacturer influence. Virginia Tech rates each snow sport helmet based on the results of 12 impact tests in our laboratory. A drop tower designed to match helmet-to-ground characteristics in snow sports is used to test the helmets. We measure linear acceleration and rotational velocity for each impact, which are correlated to concussion risk.

Virginia Tech tests six impact configurations, which include three impact locations (front, side, and rear) and two anvil angles (high and low). The high impact angle represents impacts on steeper slopes that are associated with higher forces across the snow. The low impact angle represents impacts on flatter slopes that are associated with higher forces into the snow. The impact velocities are based on real-world snow sport head impacts and current testing standards.

Each lab impact is weighted to contribute equally to the average helmet’s overall score. Virginia Tech calculates concussion risk based on the measured peak linear acceleration and rotational velocity of each test. Each risk is multiplied by its weighting factor and then summed together to calculate an overall score. The overall score estimates the number of concussions the average person would sustain if they experienced identical impacts to those tested at rates matching their weightings. A lower score indicates better helmet performance. The score values in these ratings are not comparable to score values in our helmet ratings for other sports. This is because there are differences in test methods, impact conditions, risk calculations, and impact weightings specific to each sport.

Looking forward, the NSAA is focusing its efforts on young adults aged 18-34 to encourage further helmet adoption within this group. While approximately 92% of people in this age range report wearing helmets, the data indicate that the most significant opportunity to increase helmet usage lies within this age bracket.

The widespread adoption of helmets in snow sports marks a significant shift in both culture and safety on the mountain. What was once a rarity has become a near-universal practice driven by education, research, and clear evidence of injury prevention. As helmet technology continues to improve and awareness grows, the conversation can look to policy and whether more states or resorts should mandate helmet use. Ultimately, wearing a helmet is not just a wise choice; it’s a vital one for anyone looking to stay safe and enjoy the mountain responsibly.