A ski helmet or snowboard helmet provides essential protection against head injuries from falls or collisions on the slopes. Modern helmets are designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and even integrate your headphones, so there's really no reason to skip this crucial piece of safety equipment. Made for those who go big, go fast, and always ride in style.
How to Choose the Right Snow Helmet
Whether you're a seasoned skier or snowboarder or headed to the mountain for the first time, finding the right helmet that will work for you is essential.
How Should a Snow Helmet Fit?
A snow helmet should fit snugly without being too tight. It should sit level on your head, covering your forehead but not obstructing your vision. The helmet shouldn't move when you shake your head, and the chin strap should be adjusted securely yet comfortably. Proper fit ensures your ski helmet provides maximum protection.
When trying on ski or snowboarding helmets, consider wearing your goggles to ensure they integrate well and there are no gaps between the helmet and goggles.
How to Determine Your Ski & Snowboard Helmet Size
One of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing a ski or snowboard helmet is the size. A helmet that fits perfectly is essential for maximum protection and comfort.
Read also: Is the Gnu Antigravity Snowboard Worth It?
Measuring Your Head Size: To measure your head size, take a soft measuring tape and wrap it around the base of your head, roughly along your temples and above the ears, about one inch above your eyebrows. This is the widest part of your head, and it's where the helmet should fit comfortably. Helmet measurements are typically determined by centimeters.
Fit tips: A good helmet should feel snug but not tight. If the helmet can rock back and forth, the fit is too loose. Shake your head from side-to-side. If the helmet shifts, try a smaller size, adjust the sizing mechanism or use thicker sizing pads. Push up the front and back edges. If they move, tighten the straps.
The helmet should be positioned low enough in the front to protect your forehead. It should sit level with its front edge no more than 1" above the eyebrows. Finally, check to make sure there are no gaps between your head and the helmet lining.
Note: A few models use sizing pads to fine-tune the helmet's fit.
Standard vs. Round Fit Helmets
There are two different fit options for snow helmets: standard and round. A standard helmet accommodates oval head shapes. When a standard helmet fits correctly, you'll notice comfort around the entire head, without pressure on the sides, front, or back of the helmet.
Read also: Battle Bindings: Performance and Value
If you try on a standard helmet and notice discomfort or pressure on the sides of the helmet, try on a round fit helmet. A round-fit helmet is narrower from front to back but wider throughout the sides, relieving possible pressure points and giving more width to the sides of the helmet for the best fit. Round fit helmets tend to have more room through the sides of the helmet and crown area, which can provide a more comfortable fit for those with a rounder head shape.
Ultimately, the choice between a standard and round fit helmet comes down to head shape.
Chinstrap/buckle: The chinstrap needs to fit back against the throat to reduce the chance it will come off when it is impacted. The strap should fit snugly but loose enough for you to be able to chew food without feeling choked or pinched. Always fasten the strap before riding.
Tips for Buying the Best Snowboard Helmet
Understanding Helmet Construction
There are a few different helmet constructions to consider when selecting your helmet. Do you care about weight, durability, style, or all of the above? Below, we break down each helmet construction type along with some Helmet options to explore for each category.
Read also: Renting Snowboards in Whistler Blackcomb: What You Need to Know
Endura Helmets (Hardshell)
An Endura shell, or more commonly referenced, a hardshell construction, features an injection-molded ABS exterior for lasting durability and ding-resistant strength. This helmet typically feels slightly heavier than an in-mold construction but can be found in a low-profile and sleek style.
In-Mold Helmets
In-mold helmets are simple, featuring a hard outer shell made from polycarbonate materials. Typically, you'll find in-mold helmets to be lighter in weight and offer a low-profile style.
Hybrid Helmets
A hybrid shell takes a 50/50 approach, combining the benefits of an Endura shell and in-mold shell construction, featuring the durable components of an Endura shell on top and an in-mold shell on the bottom for a lightweight feel.
Key Features and Accessories
Just looking at ski helmets, it’s immediately apparent that they’re different from helmets for other sports. But you won’t always get the same features on every helmet. The biggest characteristic that sets ski helmets aside visually is earmuffs. These are usually connected with a padded band that runs around the back of the neck. Sometimes these have a removable section over your ear so you can wear headphones more comfortably. Try to find a helmet with removable earmuffs.
Ski helmets and goggles go together like peanut butter and jelly. For some helmets, this is a plastic clip. Others have a kind of rubber strap with snaps. Some more expensive helmets integrate with the goggles’ frames.
Ski helmets have chin straps. This is pretty self explanatory, so we’ll leave it at that.
Ski / Snowboard Helmet Components
Just like running shoes differ from hiking boots, snow helmets are different from bike or skateboard helmets. They have specific features such as ear coverage, moisture-wicking liners and temperature-sensitive materials.
Shell: The outer layer of the helmet, is a rigid surface (typically ABS high-impact plastic) that can help protect the head against sharp objects, knocks and abrasions. It also helps spread impact energy over a larger portion of the helmet during a fall.
Inner liner: This is typically made from EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam, the material that looks like Styrofoam®. It's designed to absorb impact. In a hard fall, the liner foam can get compressed, a condition that you may or may not be able to discern. A helmet should always be destroyed and replaced after a serious fall.
Ventilation, Ear Pads and Liners
When it comes to ventilation, ear pads, and liners in ski and snowboard helmets, comfort is the main factor to consider. Do you tend to run hot or cold while actively skiing or snowboarding? Different ventilation properties will support breathability to keep you comfortable throughout the day.
When exploring helmet options, you have the option to choose between active or passive ventilation, which comes down to vents that can open and close (active), or vents without the option to move (passive). Passive ventilation channels help to draw fresh air in the front and pull moisture from the back of the helmet. Active ventilation, provides the option of opening the vents to draw in fresh air, and close the vents to retain warmth.
All Anon Helmets come equipped with ear pads and helmet liners, both designed to retain warmth around the ears and head. Our ear pads are also audio compatible, and can be removed if desired.
Additional Features and Accessories
Vents: Vents bring cool air in and warm, sweaty air out. Some helmets have removable plugs, which means you need to take your helmet off to adjust the airflow. More desirable are helmets with adjustable vents. With the push of a lever you can instantly fine-tune your airflow level and not interrupt your ride.
Camera Mount: Helmet-mounted cameras such as the GoPro are a popular add-on, and some helmet styles now include a built-in camera mount.
Audio: Some helmets come with built-in speakers that let you listen to your MP3 player, cell phone or 2-way radio. For others, just add ear buds and you're ready to rock.
Liners: Detachable ear pads and drop liners let you customize how much warmth you need. Removable liners can be washed, which is nice after a sweaty on the mountain.
Safety Certifications
Skiing and snowboarding are high-risk activities. That makes choosing a certified snow helmet essential. Certification means the helmet has been lab tested and meets rigorous safety standards. A non-certified helmet may not offer adequate protection.
When selecting a snow helmet, always look for recognized safety standards like ASTM F2040 in the or EN 1077. Choosing a certified helmet ensures that every layer-from the shell to the liner to the strap-has been engineered and tested to protect against cold-weather impacts.
ASTM F2040 is the standard for recreational snow sports helmets, established by the American Society for Testing and Materials. All snow helmets sold at REI meet this certification. Look for the ASTM sticker on the inside of the helmet to ensure its certification.
Helmets certified under ASTM F2040 are tested for:
- Impact attenuation: Drop tests at multiple speeds and angles simulate collisions with ice, snow, or trees. Helmets must limit the G-forces transferred to the head to below set thresholds.
- Retention system strength: Straps must hold firm under tension without breaking or slipping.
- Roll-off resistance: The helmet cannot shift or roll off the head during an impact.
ASTM testing takes place in sub-zero environments (−20 °C) to replicate cold-weather crashes. Helmets that pass receive an internal ASTM mark, typically found on a label inside the liner.
EN 1077 is a European certification for alpine skiing and snowboarding helmets. Some helmets are certified to both ASTM and CE EN standards, though one could conceivably meet the CE EN standard but not the ASTM standard. Currently, a few snow helmets sold at REI have both endorsements.The EN 1077 standard governs helmets for alpine skiers and snowboarders within the European Union. There are two classes:
- Class A: Maximum coverage (ears, sides, and back). These helmets offer the highest impact resistance and penetration protection, ideal for racing or high-speed riders.
- Class B: Lighter construction with improved ventilation but slightly reduced coverage.
MIPS Technology
MIPS (Multidirectional Impact Protection System) is a revolutionary technology that mimics the brain's own protection system with a low friction layer that lets the helmet slide relative to the head. MIPS increases your helmet’s ability to absorb angular blows, which are a common cause of concussions and spinal injuries. The Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) is a patented thin, plastic liner inside a helmet that allows it to slide naturally during a rotational impact. In other words, if you fall and hit your head, your helmet will rotate to disperse the momentum.
Traditional ski helmets and snowboarding helmets protect against direct impacts, but Mips® adds an extra layer of safety by allowing a small rotational movement of the shell relative to the liner.
For a helmet featuring MIPS, check out the Anon Prime MIPS Helmet.
Our Team's Snowboard Helmet Picks
Whether you’re a park rat, resort ripper, or like to earn your turns in the backcountry, a quality helmet is a key addition to any snowboarder’s arsenal. We put these lids to the test, from hitting jibs at Stevens Pass to riding powder in the narrow high alpine hallways of the Eastern Sierra backcountry to thigh-deep tram laps at Snowbird.
Best Overall Snowboard Helmet: Anon Prime Mips ($245)
Construction: Hybrid in-mold
Weight: 1 lb. 2.8 oz.
Ventilation: Adjustable (23 vents)
What we like: Snowboard-specific style and high-end features at a reasonable price.
A sub-brand of Burton, Anon offers a variety of high-quality lids with a healthy dose of style-or, as you may like to call it, "steeze" (style with ease). Their top-of-the-line Prime Mips is our favorite all-rounder, with all the safety and performance features we look for in a premium snow helmet at a competitive price. The hybrid in-mold design offers a great balance of weight savings and durability, and ventilation is excellent with 23 adjustable vents that slide open or shut depending on conditions or your activity level. And while all helmets are designed to protect your head in the event of a fall, the Prime kicks it up a notch with Mips technology, giving you additional assurance against angled impacts.
Best Budget Snowboard Helmet: Smith Scout Mips ($120)
Construction: ABS
Weight: 1 lb. 2 oz.
Ventilation: Fixed (8 vents)
What we like: A tough, Mips-equipped helmet for a great price.
Smith was one of the early adopters of Mips technology, and their current snow helmet lineup is chock-full of Mips designs. The Scout is a standout and is the most affordable helmet on our list that’s equipped with the angled impact safety tech. Other than that, you don’t get a lot of bells and whistles, but there’s enough here to make most riders happy: a removable goggle retainer hook around back, ear pads (also removable), and a finicky but still entirely serviceable fit adjustment system. Anyone from casual riders to season-long rippers on a budget should give the Scout Mips serious consideration.