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the 3 most important things in life, snow, mountains and arguing over whether skiing or boarding is superior.
Don't make me weild the banhammer!
😉
You're worried it's not skiing aren't you CFH 😉
We all know the correct answer.
😀
If you really are a moderator, Flash, it would explain the nature of the e-mails that sometimes arrive in my in-box.
Anyhow [url= https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/01/sports/on-slopes-rise-in-helmet-use-but-no-decline-in-brain-injuries.html?_r=0 ]Helmets haven't cut brain injuries and some studies show they have increased.[/url]
Chris Davenport makes a pertinent comment. The latest gear allows you to go faster with less skill needed.
You do realise that that's a ski-mountaineering helmet don't you, Graham? And in the case of that helmet I agree it doesn't affect communication. It also provides next to no protection except from stone fall which is no doubt why he's wearing it. I own one and put it on for racing (obligatory) or when I'm doing a route overhung by cliffs.
You do realise that that's a ski-mountaineering helmet don't you, Graham?
Any skate-style pisspot ski/snowboard helmet looks more or less exactly the same as that without the removable ear flaps.
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No removable ear flaps on that ski-mountaineering helmet. For a downhill ski helmet to provide any worthwhile protection it needs to protect you in the most common types of high speed fall, the face plant for a start. Bearing in mind that your ski sticks complicate the hands/arms in front of the face reflex. Skate helmets mainly protect the backwards fall when your skates go from under you.
Little more than psychological protection, risk compensation. If you think your helmet is protecting you you're probably doing something beyond your ability. How much difference do you think a helmet makes if you hit a tree, a rock or some poor victim pottering down minding his/her own business?
The most compelling argument I've directly seen for wearing a helmet is a friend who managed to "scorpion" when landing badly and hit himself in the back of the head with his own board.
As piemonster says, if I'm going to wear a hat anyway I might as well wear a hard one with a good clip to hold my goggles on.
Les Gets minus 3 days... 🙂
I "taught" my lad to board by letting him figure it out for himself. Just stuck him on a board on friendly slopes and let him slide down and fall over. Started on my board which was a bit ridiculous!
Fair bit of 'counter-rotation' and 'scooching' the back end around in that video - not a massive problem but as your lad starts to ride steeper stuff he would probably benefit from lessons if he wants to progress to more 'performance turns'. Sometimes it's good to start with lessons as 'what people do first, they learn best'.
He's clearly enjoying himself though and that's the main thing! 🙂
instructors prefer sunnies over gogles too when conditions allow
Ski instructors in France maybe, but almost every Canadian instructor I've ever met has worn goggles unless they are touring.
The Dutch rarely wear helmets but have on of the lowest death per km rates in Europe
I think those figures refer to death and injury on cycle paths - I think the figures regarding cycling injuries on the road are comparative to other European countries.
Although I wear one when snowboarding, I think it's a personal preference for an adult: when beginning; riding in the trees or the half-pipe etc, you'd be daft not to, but in spring conditions in the European Alps when the air temps can be well into double figures one's helmet can start to get a bit 'funky'! 😳
1000!
1000!
+1 I just wanted to get in there.
For reference I am on sticks as opposed to a tray when on the snow (hoping to avoid the falling banhammer) 🙂
While helmets aren't the be all and end-all of safety I have numerous personal experiences of the benefits of them and will continue to use them.
No removable ear flaps on that ski-mountaineering helmet.
But there [i]are[/i] removable ear flaps are on most snow helmets - so no hindrance to communication there. (Not that the ear flaps are soundproof anyway).
Skate helmets mainly protect the backwards fall when your skates go from under you.
The helmets I pictured above are all snow helmets, they are just in a "skate-style" which is very popular at the moment especially among snowboarders and younger skiers.
Pretty much the entire product line of snow helmets for companies like Smith, Bern and Sandbox are that style or some variation.
Not everyone wants to wear a Ruroc!
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(now [i]that[/i] helmet would make communication difficult! 😆 )
Edukator makes a good point about common falls. The common falls for skiers and those who use the proper method of descending snowy mountains (CFH 😉 ) are probably different and the value of a helmet may similarly be different.
Also factor in the common closing speed of the common fall. Losing / over-cooking a toe edge may not be in common and may be done at speed, but the face to snow closing speed might not be.
helmets: too much beef not enough stoke
just get an ironman one and pretend you are him when ripping on your board/ski's, like my son, pictured here, calling the shots.
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Heading to Les Gets 11th March for a week which should be excellent. Couple of questions:
1. Transfer between Les Gets and Geneva, any recommendations for companies to use/avoid or are they much the same?
2. Looking to have a couple of hours 1:1 tuition at the start of the week as there are a few things I want to work on, does anyone have any recommendations for ski schools? A colleague has suggested Billski but I just wanted to see what else was out there.
Transfers - skiidy gonzales are good and one of the best reputations. Never had any problems nor heard of any. Avoid Alpybus and Easybus as lots of reports of unreliable transfers, people missing transfers, being left stranded etc.
Highly recommend AlpNav for transfers to the Valley d'Aulps from GVA.
http://www.alpnavtransfers.com/
Slightly more expensive but good quality vehicles, the best drivers I've had (absolutley no speeding through towns and villages), and they dont try and stuff the van with people from all four corners of the resort before heading off to the airport, turning an 80 minute transfer into something over two hours. (Im looking at you AlpyBus)
They are now the only transfer Co. I will use to get us to our flat. We use them at least 5 times a year.
roll on saturday! the mountains have called
Ironman up there doesn't seem to be having communication problems.
Lot of guff on here from those that go skiing or boarding once a year and have no long term relationship with those in the ski industry or communities who are directly affected by it.
DougD-there same week with the family
mugsys - agreed, but that doesn't seem unreasonable for a UK based bike forum. I mean this absolutely literally with no sarcasm or the like - did I miss something?
(My once a year is still quite long term - just not a frequent as I'd like)
Lot of guff on here from those that go skiing or boarding once a year and have no long term relationship with those in the ski industry or communities who are directly affected by it.
Total patronising cluster bollocks
I ski twice a year!
Do ski instructors ever listen ? IME it's basically a talking, demonstrating and watching profession.
Jedi, photo updates as usual 🙂
care to explain Mugsys ?
Lot of guff on here from those that go skiing or boarding once a year ..
Or as some people might call them: "customers"
😀
Chamonix in a week's time, can't wait..First time there with MrsDTs so looking forward to showing her around the mountain and the town.
A bit more snow next week would be nice.
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30cm of heavy wet snow yesterday. Still fun. 😆
Where was the rain line? It's high in the rockies so can only imagine for Whistler. No worries about frozen toes though 😀
Freezing level was about mid mountain, 1500m or so, though it was raining at 1800m the day before. Almost no temp gradient between the village and there there though, so a mix of very heavy rain and wet heavy snow.
And you're right, no cold toes. Warm temps and intuition liners have me sorted 😀
Oh hey Jerry!
This is one for Turbo, we're in Flaine now and I have sent an email if you'd like to meet up.
Sorry all. You caught me in a bad mood.Go play. Go dream. Go smile. It's all good.
No worries. Thought I'd missed something.
Lot of guff on here from those that go skiing or boarding once a year
I think the 'once a year' crew constitute >80% of the UK 'winter sports' market - and cynically, yes, I do think they conform to a cultural stereotype! 🙂
so a mix of very heavy rain and wet heavy snow.
Sounds very much like the Whistler I know & love! Good to hear those toes are doing ok!
I think the 'once a year' crew constitute >80% of the UK 'winter sports' market - and cynically, yes, I do think they conform to a cultural stereotype!
Sitting at my desk in my IT middle management job I take great offence to that 😉
I don't conform to a cultural stereotype - I created it. 8)
*stokes wood burner*
Artisan coffee anyone?
*plays expensive guitar in bedroom*
I confess I never wear one, yet make my boys (10 & 6) wear theirs. The privilege of grumpy hypocrisy.
+1
love the occassional MTB ride without one too
Artisan coffee? Heresy
True coffee is made as it always has been in an espresso jug.
On top of one's wood burner
Just popped my head out of the door to check our volvo is still up the drive.
Is it for sale?
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