If you are hitting the slopes this year with your children, you may be looking for the best ski and snowboard helmets for yourself and for your kids.
This guide will show you what to look for in the perfect helmet and you’ll see my top choices to protect your child’s head.
First, let me share a story.
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My Friend Should Have Listened To His Mom
When I was younger a few friends and I went skiing for the day. One of my friends, Colin, was a pretty good snowboarder and never thought he needed to wear a helmet, despite the fact his mom told him he had to.
We got to the mountain and skied and snowboarded the whole day without any problems (my friend wasn’t wearing his helmet). Towards the end of the day Colin, my dad and I were racing from the top of mountain to the bottom at really fast speeds. After two or three times my dad called it quits and said we shouldn’t go to much longer because of fatigue.
We decided to go one more time; we should have stopped when my dad did. Halfway through the race Colin hit a patch of ice and smacked his face against the ground. He hit it so hard he knocked himself unconscious and just slid down the mountain, lifeless. I caught up to him and stuck my pole in front of his snowboard to stop him.
I’ll never forget what he said when he finally regained consciousness. With blood all over his face and a dazed look in his eyes, he said, “Where am I?”
After going to the medical center we packed up and headed home. He threw up the entire ride back and his mom had to take him to the emergency room. He was diagnosed with a concussion and had cuts and scrapes on his face for a month.
He wore his helmet from there on out.
What Makes A Good Helmet?
If my friend listened to his mother, and properly protected his head, he wouldn’t have suffered to the extent that he did. There’s a few things to keep in mind when deciding on which helmet to choose and they are:
- Make sure it fits correctly and properly protects
- It comes from a well known company
- Stylish
Having a helmet that fits snugly without being too tight is the most important aspect when picking head gear. If it’s too loose it might slide over your child’s eyes and obstruct their vision. That’s the last thing on earth you want. In fact, if it comes down to your child wearing a helmet that’s too big or no helmet at all, I would go with no helmet at all.
Without a full field of vision your child runs the risk of running someone over or even worst, going in front of someone and getting hit. On the flip side, if it’s too small it will cause a lot of discomfort and the day won’t be enjoyable.
The next thing to consider is where the helmet is coming from. I generally purchase my gear from well known companies because I know I’m getting quality and product that won’t break after a few weeks.
Lastly, make sure it looks cool. This doesn’t really have to do with protection but it’ll increase the odds of your kid actually wearing the helmet. This is the main reason my friend didn’t wear his. He thought it looked dumb and didn’t want to stick out for that reason.
All the head gear on this list keeps these three things in mind; they offer multiple sizes for a perfect fit, come from well known ski and snowboard companies and your kid will like the way they look.
So let’s get into some helmets.
Related: Make sure to check out my post on the top ski boots for men, too!
Lucky Bums Snow Sport Helmet **Top Choice**
Company: Lucky Bums
Price: Check Here
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large
Rating: 4.8/5
This is my top pick for a lot of reasons. Your child will have no problem wearing this stylish helmet; you’ll be happy with how well it protects too. It has two protective layers, a strong external cap made from ABS materials and an EPS outer shell for dual action protection, and it has a padded chin strap. The Lucky Bums Snow Sport Helmet is:
- Extremely comfortable and lightweight (1.2 pounds)
- Built to allow maximum amount of airflow and prevent snow build up
- Hypoallergenic and antibacterial internal lining and ear padding
It’s easy to adjust for perfect fitting and comes in 4 different sizes. It’s offered in 11 different colors too. Your child will have no problems matching it to his or her jacket, skis/snowboard or gloves.
Lastly, this product comes with a lifetime guarantee! You’ll have a hard time finding a brand or product better than this one.
Check Out The Lucky Bums Helmet
Giro Youth Vault Snow Helmet
Company: Giro
Price: CHECK HERE
Sizes: Small (52-55.5cm.) and Medium ( 55.5-59cm.)
Rating: 4.7/5
This sleek and comfortable helmet has a strong and durable hard shell construction on the outside and snug padding on the inside. It will keep your child very warm during the coldest months of winter; the ear pads can be removed during the warmer months too. Additionally, this helmet:
- Has 8 different cool vents
- Excellent fit
- Brim to cut out glare
Many parents love the Giro Youth Vault for its awesome design and superior protection. It comes in 8 different colors too!
Take A Closer Look At The Giro Youth Vault Snow Helmet
Burton Anon Youth Rime Helmet
Company: Burton
Price: Check Here
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large
Rating: 4.7/5
If you’ve been snowboarding or skiing for awhile, you’ve probably come across a Burton product. They are everywhere on the mountain and for good reason – they make great stuff. The Anon Youth Rime Helmet is no exception. Besides offering 4 awesome designs and colors, this helmet:
- Has a Fidlock magnetic snap helmet buckle which makes taking off and putting on very simple
- Removable goggle clicks
- Fleece liner and ear pads for added comfort
Anytime you get something from Burton you can expect quality and that’s exactly what you are getting here.
Take A Closer Look At The Burton Anon Youth Rime Helmet
Smith Optics Junior Zoom Helmet
Company: Smith Optics
Price: Check Here
Sizes: Depends on color
Rating: 4.7/5
This is one of the best helmets available and it’s also one of the lightest; it only weighs 11.5 ounces. Besides coming in 20 different colors, the Smith Optics Zoom:
- Is ultra comfy with soft lining on the inside
- Removable goggle lock
- Provides superior warmth
This is one of the most well reviewed helmets on Amazon with an average rating of 4.9/5. Almost every single customer review is very positive.
Check Out The Smith Optics Zoom Helmet
Hope This Helped!
The risk of a head injury when skiing or snowboarding is very real and I’ve seen what happens first hand when you don’t wear a helmet. If you choose the right head gear, your child will gladly and comfortably wear it all day without any problems.
I recommend you purchasing from Amazon because they have the widest selection of helmets and at the best price; orders over $50 get free shipping too. If you would like to look at their entire selection, click below:
Take A Look At The Best Ski Helmets Available
If you have any questions about the products on this list comment below and I’ll make sure to respond as fast as possible. If you would like friends and family to see, share on social media.
Are you ready to hit the slopes this year!?