How would you spend $100 to be a safer skier?

If you don't have a helmet I would go for that, you never know when you'll need one but when you do it could save your life. I have done 75 or so advanced lessons in 4 seasons and they teach you a lot, although an avalanche course could also be key. I've had 3 pairs of boots from Surefoot and they improve your stance and make you more comfortable and less subseptable to injury and sometimes even help with cold feet. Although all I've really done is give you more info on everything you know, I myself would go for a helmet or start saving up for a backpack with a shovel, probe etc.

Ski related *deaths* are rare. Avalanches, heart attacks and blunt force trauma are the big three killers. Further, patrollers have such a low number of head related injuries because they are excellent skiers and boarders. That is a stat that suggest the lest advanced you are, the more likely a head injury is. This is demonstrably true. The fact that anyone would even propose that high end bindings or a custom boot fit would increase safety is completely ignorant to the sport.

In fact, a helmet is about the only piece of gear that actually protects you. Other things such as wrist guards have been shown to transfer energy *into* the bone, and therefore breaking it. An advanced lesson isn't going to do anything for you, you get better and safer by experience. Just like the Patrollers had to do.

A helmet will not necessarily prevent a concussion, but it will lessen the damage compared to not wearing one. As to the deaths in the snow sports, I suspect that more are from "Alpine shock", hypothermia, or hydrostatic shock that cause a ruptured aorta than are caused by head injuries. I do wear a helmet more than 90% of the time when I am on the slopes. The times I do not, I am on the flats in the beginning teaching area and the sun is out in the spring. I am very interested in a way to eliminate stupidity on the slopes, or in life in general. Despite legislation against it, the law of gravity still rules. Spend $100 for a helmet at retail and it is still "One crash and it's trash" situation. They are nice and warm but the money may be better spent requiring every slider to take competency exams for skill and knowledge before they are allowed to ride up a chair lift. Driver license is a test should a slide test also be required?

I firmly believe in helmets. I have been hit 5 times by other skiers/boarders. Once standing in a lift line (I got a concussion from that even with a helmet on) and my other careless skiers/riders. So I think a helmet is an absolute must.

Other than a helmet, I think for skiers, education on DIN safety/how to prevent knee injuries. I would say that many of these injuries are preventable, but happen when skiers try to stop themselves (with their feet) when they are in a slide. Also I have asked people what DIN their bindings were on, most had no clue about the DIN setting and some had DIN settings WAY to high.

Honestly, head injuries may not be as common, but they sure as hell happen. A helmet is never a bad idea if you are concerned about safety. If you do not know how to ski well at all, go with the lessons.

I think bindings would be a better investment. Obviously helmets are good, but I have seen so many crashes and and a bunch of injuries that could have been prevented with proper bindings. But a helmet has saved my *** more than once too :p

I think you left one out there man. I think the best thing for the skiers that you left out of the question is an avalanche beacon. If you're not at a resort you need a beacon, it can save your life.

Seeing as I smash my head into the ground many times a season in the park I will stick with my trusty helmet(s).

I would go for the Tune Up. I broke my ankle a couple years ago because of the poor work of the ski shop staff.

answer mine please!

I'd buy a baseball bat to hit tourists in the knees before they have a chance to run into me