Mountain Information Loon Serious Fun Guide
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Helmet Safety - Knowledge for your Noggin'
Will I be safer wearing a helmet?
Snowsports helmets can make a difference in reducing or preventing injury and many skiers and snowboarders today are choosing to wear them. However, helmets do have limits and users need to be aware of them. Helmets are designed to reduce the severity of head injuries, but they are most effective at providing protection at speeds of 12 mph or slower. Parents, skiers, and snowboarders should educate themselves about the benefits, limitations, and proper fitting of helmets. The decision of whether to wear one should be a matter of personal choice.
Why are helmets becoming so popular?
In addition to offering an added degree of protection, helmets today are designed to be lightweight, comfortable, warm, and fashionable.
Are there helmets specifically designed for snowsports?
Yes, snowsports helmets are insulated for cold weather and provide better coverage and impact protection than other sport helmets. Be sure the helmet you choose meets the current snowsports helmet design standards.
What are some tips to assist me if I decide to buy a helmet?
The most important consideration is fit. A properly fitted helmet should be snug and not obscure vision or hearing. Your local ski shop can help you identify the best brand for your head shape and confirm a proper fit.
Where can I get more information about helmets?
Call or visit a ski and snowboard shop; visit a helmet manufacturer’s website; or go to www.lidsonkids.org.
Loon Mountain Helmet Policy
Guest safety is a fundamental value of Loon Mountain. The most important factor in safety remains the manner in which our guests participate in the sport. We continue to respect the guest’s option of choosing whether to use a helmet. Loon recommends that participants in all of their snowsports programs wear an approved, snowsports specific helmet, either a rental helmet, or their own. We acknowledge that no helmet can protect the wearer against all possible, or foreseeable impacts and injuries to the head. Reasonably foreseeable impacts may exceed the capabilities of the helmet to protect against injury. The helmet is designed to offer added protection to the head and cannot guard against neck, spine, or other bodily injuries that may result from a ski or snowboard accident. Therefore, the use of a helmet does not and cannot guarantee guest safety and may not prevent or reduce some types of serious injuries or death.
Loon Mountain also acknowledges that guests must become educated in the appropriate fit and sizing of the helmet. The helmet should fit snugly, yet comfortably with the chin strap buckled at all times while engaged in snowsports activities. Loon further acknowledges that the existing body of research indicates that at speeds of greater than 13 miles per hour, the helmet may not provide adequate protection against a serious head injury, if the head directly impacts a fixed object. Our goal is to educate and inform our guests so that they can make informed decisions about all aspects of safety. Again, we continue to respect the guest’s option of choice.