The tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson has once again brought the helmet debate front and center. Details about the crash and the impact she suffered have not been released, but countless media sources are already preaching about the issue and if buckets should be mandatory.

It's a country founded on free choice, Ms. Richardson was undoubtedly aware of the availability of helmets, and we all choose our own gear. There is never a perfect answer. I'm curious how the locals feel about this issue. My brother wears one, I don't. Our kids do. One wife does, one doesn't.

Do you wear a helmet? Why or why not?

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written by Maddman , March 23, 2009

This is the land of choice and opportunity. I choose not to wear one, my son does. So if someone sticks a ski pole through my stomach and I bleed to death, will the story read.. and he wasn't wearing a helmet.

In Colorado, former Senator Ben Knighthorse Campbel changed the law, leagalizing the non-helmet rule when operating a motocycle. However, evertime a read a tragic story about a motorcycle accident it doesn't mention in the closinging lines, "rider was not wearing a helmet".

Need to stop legislation controling our rights!

If you choose to wear a helmet skiing or riding then power to you, if you choose not to wear a helmet skiing or riding then power to you too!

Anyway, who can afford a piece of equipment like that when lift tickets in Colorado are the highest in the world...


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written by BlinkEm , March 23, 2009

Yo, Gravity! Here's an idea for ya...

1) Skip one ski trip and spend the weekend at home with family and friends. I promise, it won't kill you!

2) With the money saved from not buying the most expensive lift ticket(s) in the World, buy a cheap helmet. While it won't kill you, it might save you.

Alternate:

1) Skip two trips. Discover even more about family and friends.

2) Buy a better helmet. It will do a better job on that "saving you" thing. Your family and friends will get more summer weekends, and you'll get more life-long total ski trips.

There are 1.4 million Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) evey year in the United States. TBI's, according to the Brain Institute of America, cost us over 60 BILLION dollars a year. You can expect 17,500 head injuries to come from skiing this year.

How badly do you want to be on America's Funniest Home Video's, really?

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written by Skibum , March 24, 2009

Does anyone know what happened to the actress? Did she hit something or did someone hit her? This wasn't just contact with snow/ice was it?

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written by Maddman , March 24, 2009

Hey Blinkem,

1. yes it will kill me

2. I don't buy lift tickets

3. Better yet, I take the family skiing, it is a family experience! Hello?

4. Out of the 17,500 head injurs from skiing, goes to show you they should have gone either to the movies or bowling!

5. PS, I have been on American's Funniest Home videos--- it was outrageous

4. A Yankees ball cap is better than any helmet- yes a helmet that can't sustain a 25mph impact... brilliant idea!

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written by bananarama , March 26, 2009

I own a super tricked out helmet that I've only worn a handful of times. I'll wear it if I'm hitting the park, but I never take it with me to the backcountry. There's always going to be that "what if" factor. I just feel that if I ride in control enough to maintain safety, I'm going to be fine. Just my opinion. Easy there, BlinkEm!

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written by Skibum , March 26, 2009

I don't worry about hitting things, I worry about things hitting me.

Instead of a helmet, I'd like a tail gunner for the packs of ignorant d-bags that are always shooting straight through crowds.

That would make me feel safe.

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written by TheGrouch , August 05, 2009

Being a free wheeling libertarian, I'm certainly not in favor of any laws telling anyone what to do or how to dress themselves. Now, also being an old guy with a family, I do worry about the "what ifs".

We have a son that has a mild case of epilepsy, so trauma to the head is not a desired result of any activity, thus he wears a helmet. He doesn't like it, but it makes us feel better, especially when he's having trouble remembering to brake - another issue all together.

Our teenage daughter does not want to wear a helmet, but after a few good wrecks, she does so. Of course, she shows no concern for costs as looking pretty is as important as cutting a great line.

On my last trip, while leisurely cutting down the mountain in a very fluid motion, I suddenly face-planted right into the snow. This was one of those over the ski's, "what the hell happened", "thank the gods I won't require surgery to remove my goggles", plants. After I pulled my face from the snow, I thought about a helmet, and then skied on.

So then this summer I bought one. But it was my choice, not some stupid government law looking out for my good fortune. Which means I'll happily wear it, won't stress if I forget it, and won't be a government statistic statement - "and he wasn't wearing a helmet, so he got a ticket".

I do notice that the people who tend to be a bit out of control and scary to ski around are wearing helmets now. So it's almost like playing football without a helmet. You can do it, but one day may wish otherwise. It's your choice. And it should stay that way.

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