Why is it important to wear a ski helmet?

A ski helmet protects the head in the event of a fall or collision and helps limit serious injuries or head trauma. It is now considered essential, for both adults and children.

What safety standards should a good ski helmet meet?

A reliable ski helmet must meet at least one of the following standards: CE ASTM EN 1077 Snell RS-98 These certifications guarantee that the helmet has undergone rigorous impact-absorption testing.

What does MIPS technology mean on a ski helmet?

MIPS is not a certification standard, but an additional system designed to absorb and reduce impacts before they reach the head. It's strongly recommended to choose a helmet equipped with this technology.

Which materials offer the best protection?

The safest ski helmets are generally made of: ABS + EPS: a very strong outer shell combined with a layer of EPS foam that absorbs impacts. In-Mould: a structure where the EPS foam is fused with polycarbonate, making the helmet lighter and thinner.

How do you know if a ski helmet fits well?

A helmet fits well when it: Perfectly follows the shape of the head Doesn't move when worn Can be tightened or loosened using an adjustment system at the back Has easy-to-adjust front straps It's strongly recommended to try on the helmet before skiing.

Why is comfort just as important as safety?

An uncomfortable helmet risks being worn improperly or taken off, which cancels out its protective function. A comfortable helmet encourages you to keep it on all day.

What type of padding should you prefer?

It's best to choose a helmet with: A soft lining Removable padding, making cleaning and heat management easier Good sweat absorption to avoid unpleasant odours

Are helmets with an integrated visor more comfortable?

Yes. Helmets with integrated goggles offer: A wider field of vision Better overall comfort The option, for glasses wearers, to keep their prescription glasses under the visor

Does the appearance of a ski helmet matter?

Even though it doesn't directly affect safety, appearance matters. Colours, stickers or accessories can add to the enjoyment of wearing the helmet and looking good on the slopes.

How can you make sure a child's helmet is worn properly?

A child's helmet must be properly adjusted and not move around. It's advisable to: Check the fit regularly Choose a colourful or fun model Possibly add a camera to motivate the child to wear it

Can a ski helmet be reused after a fall?

No. After an impact or collision, the helmet must be replaced, even if no damage is visible. Internal cracks can compromise protection.

How long can you keep a ski helmet?

Without an accident, a helmet can be used for several seasons, but professionals recommend replacing it: Every 3 to 5 years for occasional use Sweat, small knocks and wear can reduce its effectiveness over time.

What's the average price of a ski helmet?

Children: from around €30 Adults: from €50, with an average of around €80 for a good model The best deals are often available out of season.

Should you buy or rent a ski helmet?

Renting a helmet lets you: Travel lighter Test comfort before buying However, renting has some downsides: The helmet's condition isn't always guaranteed It may have taken hits It's already been worn by other people For regular skiers, owning your own helmet is often the best solution.

Ski Helmet: How to Choose the Right One?

At a glance

In this article, we answer the following questions:

What are the features of a good ski helmet?
Can it be used year after year?
How much does a good ski helmet cost?
Is it advisable to rent one on site?
Can a ski helmet be reused after a collision?

Sam, the blogger behind Check Out Sam, regularly goes on winter sports trips. For him too, safety comes first. So he looked for answers to the most frequently asked questions about ski helmets and shares the results of his research with us.

The features of a good ski helmet

A ski helmet shouldn't just meet safety standards, it also needs to be comfortable.

A good ski helmet is above all sturdy, and it must be well fitted. It's padded with an insulating material used to keep the helmet warm and let it breathe. But a ski helmet is much more than that — other criteria matter too, and they vary depending on who's wearing it.
View of a ski helmet (front, side, from above....)

Ski helmet safety

The main reason to wear a ski helmet is that it provides safety. You have significantly more chance of coming out of a (serious) fall unscathed, or at least of limiting head injuries, if you wear a helmet.
The best way to check a ski helmet's safety is to make sure it meets the CE, ASTM, EN 1077 and/or Snell RS-98 safety standards. These certification marks tell you that the helmet has undergone thorough testing to absorb blows and impacts.

The MIPS label isn't really a certification standard, but rather a system used to absorb impacts before they reach the inside of the helmet. It's therefore strongly recommended to use a helmet with this feature.

Choose a sturdy material

It's clear that safety is closely linked to the strength of the material. The best helmets are made of ABS + EPS or In-Mould.

ABS is a very strong plastic with a layer of EPS on top, a hard foam layer that absorbs impacts.

In-Mould construction also has an absorbent layer of EPS, but it's fused with polycarbonate (a strong, lightweight plastic), which gives these helmets a thinner profile and makes them lighter.

If you're torn between several models while searching for the best helmet, my blog article may well help. Click here and turn on automatic translation to read the article in English. In it, I give ten tips and detailed information on what matters when buying one.

Ski helmet comfort

If a safety helmet isn't comfortable, you'll be tempted to take it off, and then it's of no use at all!

Always go for a helmet that fits your head well. Not only is this important for your safety, it's also much more comfortable. That's why I always recommend trying on a ski helmet before heading out onto the slopes. A device mounted at the back of the helmet lets you tighten or loosen it. Straps at the front are also useful.

If the ski helmet is firmly in place and doesn't move, you've found the right one.

Go for a soft lining or padding, preferably removable. Sweat absorption can cause an odour in the helmet after repeated use. On some models, you can also remove certain padding. That's handy if you don't want to get too hot!

A helmet fitted with integrated ski goggles also offers more comfort. Your field of vision is wider than with separately bought goggles, and glasses wearers can still wear their regular frames under this visor.

Other features of a ski helmet

A good ski helmet undoubtedly has more features, but not all of them relate to comfort or safety. Think about colours, stickers, the option to attach a camera to the helmet...
And yet... the helmet's appearance matters too, because you also want to look good on the slopes. Right?

The importance of a ski helmet for adults and children

A helmet is essential for both adults and children in order to properly protect the head.

A parent fastens a ski helmet on their son

A ski helmet for children is, moreover, mandatory on many ski slopes.
More and more adults are also wearing a helmet. And that's a good thing, because head injuries generally represent a significant percentage of injuries on the slopes among skiers and snowboarders, especially among the youngest.

Make sure your children's helmet doesn't move around. I too often see young skiers on the slopes wearing a helmet that's flopping around on their head. Help your child fasten their helmet properly.

Choose a colourful or striking model to encourage your children to enjoy wearing the helmet. And if they're still not happy about it, attach a camera to their helmet to film their adventures.

Can a ski helmet be reused after a collision?

No. If the ski helmet has taken a hit, a collision or another accident, it needs to be replaced. Tiny cracks or dents (often invisible) can impair the helmet's function and no longer guarantee sufficient protection. The same rule applies to bicycle or motorcycle helmets after an accident.

How many times can you reuse a ski helmet?

If your helmet hasn't been through any accident, you obviously don't need to replace it after every ski trip. However, it's not recommended to use the same helmet for too many years in a row.

Professionals recommend buying a new helmet every three to five years if you only use it sporadically (one ski trip a year). This may seem like a short lifespan, but sweat, bumps caused by chairlifts or knocks during normal use can also affect the helmet's performance over time.

How much does a ski helmet cost?

While it's true that safety has no price, you probably don't want to pay top price either! Fortunately, a good ski helmet is very affordable. You can find children's helmets for around 30 euros, though a flashier helmet will probably cost more.

For adults, you can find a helmet from 50 euros, but good helmets typically go for around 80 euros.

A little tip: after the ski season, you'll often find very good discounted prices.

Renting a ski helmet on site?

You don't have to buy a helmet on your very first ski trip, since you can rent one from a ski rental shop. However, the rental price can easily reach 25 euros per person for a week.

The advantage, of course, is that you have less luggage to carry (and a ski helmet is quite bulky). It's also a good solution if you want to try out the helmet to see if it suits you and if you find it comfortable.

The biggest downside of renting is, of course, that the helmet's condition isn't always guaranteed. How do you know if it's taken a hit or if there's no damage on the inside? What's more, a rented helmet has of course been worn by other people who may have left their scent on it…

The choice is of course yours, but having your own helmet — one that perfectly matches your outfit — is my personal preference. Especially since I go skiing at least once a year!

I wish you lots of fun on the slopes!

FAQ – Everything you need to know about ski helmets

In France: Not mandatory, no general law, but strongly recommended to avoid head injuries. In ski schools, the helmet is mandatory.

In Italy (since 1 November 2025): a general requirement for all skiers, snowboarders and tobogganers on marked slopes. The helmet must be CE certified and approved. Penalties: fines of €100 to €200 and withdrawal of the ski pass.

In Austria: mandatory for under-15s in most regions. In Switzerland and Germany: not mandatory, but strongly recommended.

About "Check Out Sam"

Sam is a globetrotter at heart. Since the age of 18, he's travelled across continents as a true "digital nomad". Sometimes he just stays put, but he never stays idle for long. Wherever he goes, he gathers information which he writes up on his blog as practical travel guides: places to visit, useful tips, unusual places to stay and, of course, wonderful travel stories accompanied by stunning photos. To find the inspiration and information you're missing, just head over to Check Out Sam!

First published: 01/2021 - Updated: 01/2026

Ski Helmet: How to Choose the Right One?