Every child on a family ski trip should wear a well-fitting ski helmet, checked by a parent before the first run — and so should every adult. A ski helmet should sit level just above the eyebrows, feel snug all round, and work properly with your child’s goggles, with no gap between the two. Check the fit at home before you travel, because a helmet that fitted last season may be too small now, and sorting it out on the mountain wastes a morning of skiing.
A family ski trip is one of the best winter holidays, but it needs a little planning when children are involved. Helmets, goggles, gloves and layers all have to work together, and children grow fast between trips. This guide covers how to choose and fit helmets for a family ski trip, how to pack them, and how to keep the whole family comfortable and safe on the slopes.
How Do You Fit a Child’s Helmet for a Ski Trip?
Start with a head measurement for each child. Wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of the head, about a finger’s width above the eyebrows and ears, and note the number in centimetres. Compare it with the size range on the helmet. In general terms, children grow quickly, so a helmet that was snug last winter may already be too tight, and measuring before the trip saves a last-minute panic.
Put the helmet on and check that it sits level, with the front edge just above the eyebrows. Ask your child to shake their head from side to side and nod up and down. The helmet should move with the head and stay in place. If it slips forward over the eyes or tips back, adjust the rear dial first, and if it still moves, try a different size or shape.
Check the fit with the kit your child will actually wear. A thin balaclava or beanie underneath will change the fit, so try the helmet on with it. Check that the ear pads sit comfortably without squeezing, and that the helmet does not press on the forehead after a few minutes. A helmet that presses will give your child a headache by lunchtime.
How Should Helmets Work with Goggles on a Family Trip?
The helmet and goggles should fit together with no gap. Put the goggles on with the helmet and look for skin showing between the top of the goggles and the front of the helmet. In cold weather, that gap lets cold air onto the forehead and can cause real discomfort on a long day on the slopes.
Check that the goggle strap sits neatly in the clip or channel at the back of the helmet. Most ski helmets have a small clip or a groove that holds the strap in place. If the strap slips, the goggles will move around while skiing. Also check that the goggles sit flat against the face without pressing too hard on the nose.
If you are buying new goggles for the trip, try them with the helmet in the shop. Different brands shape their helmets and goggles differently, and a pair from the same brand often fits together best. For a family trip, it is worth checking every child’s helmet and goggles together, not just one of them.
What Safety Features Should Family Ski Helmets Have?
First, check the standard. Look for a label inside each helmet showing that it meets a recognised ski helmet standard. This tells you the helmet has been tested for the kinds of impacts a skier might have. A helmet without a clear standard label is not worth taking on the trip, however good it looks.
Next, look at the shell and liner. A hard outer shell protects against knocks, while the foam liner inside absorbs impact. Check that the shell covers the back of the head and the ears well, especially for children who are still learning and fall more often. Some helmets have extra coverage at the back, which is worth having for younger skiers.
Also check the chin strap on every helmet. It should fasten securely and sit flat under the chin, tight enough that you can fit one finger between the strap and the chin. If the strap is loose, the helmet can come off in a fall. Some helmets have a magnetic buckle that is easier to fasten with gloves on, which children tend to like.
How Do You Pack Helmets for a Ski Trip?
Helmets are bulky, but they are worth packing properly. Stuff soft items like gloves, hats and socks inside the helmet to save space in the bag and to protect the liner. Put the helmet in the middle of the suitcase, surrounded by soft clothes, so it is cushioned on all sides.
Do not pack heavy items on top of a helmet, and do not hang a helmet from a bag strap by its chin strap, because that can stretch the strap. If you are flying, a helmet bag or a padded case is worth using. Some families carry helmets as hand luggage to avoid damage in the hold.
When you arrive, check every helmet again before the first run. Look for cracks, loose straps or a worn adjustment dial, and try each one on with the goggles. If a helmet was damaged in transit, it is better to hire a replacement at the resort than to ski in a damaged helmet.
What Else Should Parents Plan for a Family Ski Trip?
Plan for warmth and breaks. Children get cold and tired faster than adults, and a cold, tired child makes more mistakes on the slopes. Take regular breaks indoors, bring spare gloves and a dry hat, and check the helmet fit again after lunch, because layers shift during the day.
Set a simple rule for the whole family: helmets go on before the first run and stay on all day, including on easy runs and on the way back to the lodge. Most falls happen on easy slopes when skiers relax. If the whole family wears helmets, the rule is easier to keep, and children copy what adults do.
If you are curious about the technology inside modern ski helmets, reading about what MIPS is for helmets can help you understand one of the features some helmets offer. It is not essential for every skier, but it is worth knowing about when you see it on a label in a hire shop or a store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does every child need a helmet on a family ski trip?
A: In general terms, yes. Every child should wear a well-fitting ski helmet for every run, however easy the slope. Check the fit at home before you travel, because a helmet that fitted last season may be too small now.
Q: How do I pack helmets for a ski trip?
A: Stuff soft items like gloves and socks inside the helmet, and pack it in the middle of the suitcase surrounded by soft clothes. Do not put heavy items on top of it, and do not hang it by its chin strap.
Q: Should adults wear helmets on a family ski trip too?
A: Yes. Adults fall too, and a parent in a helmet sets the example for the whole family. The same fit rules apply: level, snug all round, and staying in place when you shake your head.
Olivia
Writer at Helmet Today, covering helmet reviews, fit and riding safety.
