Ski helmet guide: how to choose the right snow helmet

Published
Article info
Guides and Technology

The right ski or snowboard helmet depends on how you ride. Freeriders need maximum protection and goggle integration. All-mountain riders want ventilation they can adjust to changing conditions. Park riders need a comfortable, low-profile fit, racers need race-certified shells, and tourers need low weight and airflow on the way up. Whatever you choose, it should sit snug together with your goggles – no gaps – and every Sweet Protection snow helmet is built for exactly that.

Find your helmet

Which helmet is right for you?

Pick the riding style that sounds most like you, and we’ll point you to the right helmet.

Freeride & touring

Freeride and touring helmets

Off-piste, the terrain sets the pace. Our freeride helmets are built for serious protection, with 2Vi® construction, 2-layer Mips and goggle integration that stays put in deep snow. For ski touring, low weight and airflow on the way up matter just as much.

  • Trooper 2Vi® Mips – our iconic freeride helmet, TLC carbon mono-shell (700 g)

  • Grimnir 2Vi® Mips – full pre-preg carbon shell and 2-layer Mips (630 g)

  • Ascender Mips – triple certified touring helmet with headlamp clips (430 g)

Shop freeride helmets
All mountain & park

All-mountain and park helmets

From cold first laps to spring slush in the park, conditions change all day. Our all-mountain helmets give you ventilation you can adjust, goggle integration without gaps and room for helmet audio.

  • Switcher 2Vi® Mips – one helmet for every mountain day, sizes up to XXL (560 g)

  • Igniter 2Vi® Mips – 2-layer Mips and internal goggle garage (640 g)

  • Looper Mips – built for park laps, Audio Ready (455 g)

Shop all-mountain helmets
Racing

Race helmets

In racing, hundredths decide. Our race helmets are built on 2Vi® with 2-layer Mips and Gate Shields, and the Volata models are certified to FIS RH 2013.

  • Volata 2Vi® Mips Race – FIS RH 2013, seven sizes from XS to XL (720 g)

  • Volata Carbon 2Vi® Mips Race – carbon shell for GS, Super-G and Downhill (700 g)

  • Trooper 2Vi® SL Mips – the ultimate slalom helmet, removable chin guard

Shop race helmets
Kids

Kids’ ski helmets

Young heads need helmets made for them. Our junior helmets have a youth-specific shell, engineered for smaller and more elastic heads, with goggle garage and easy dial adjustment.

  • Winder Mips Junior – Mips, Impact Shields and goggle garage, sizes XS–M

  • Winder Junior – the same youth-specific shell, without Mips

Shop kids’ ski helmets

Helmet technology, explained

2Vi® Technology Platform

Our premium helmet platform, engineered to manage impact forces from different directions. Found in Trooper, Switcher, Igniter, Grimnir and Volata. Read more about 2Vi® Helmet Technology.

2-layer Mips

A low-friction layer that helps reduce rotational forces in an angled impact. Trooper, Igniter, Grimnir and Volata use 2-layer Mips.

Carbon and hybrid shells

Carbon shells (Grimnir, Rooster II, Volata Carbon) save weight. Hybrid and variable-elasticity shells balance stiffness and flex.

Impact and Gate Shields

Impact Shields spread the force of an impact over a larger area. On race helmets, Gate Shields protect against gate hits.

Goggle integration

Goggle garage, Adapted Goggle Fit and True Goggle Integration keep your goggles in place – with no gaper gap.

Audio Ready and Fidlock

Room for helmet audio in the ear pads, and a magnetic Fidlock buckle that is quick and easy to operate.

Size and goggle fit

Measure your head: wrap a soft measuring tape just above your ears and eyebrows, level from front to back.

Choose your size: most adult snow helmets come in S/M, M/L and L/XL. Switcher comes up to XXL, Volata Race in seven sizes and juniors in XS, S and M. Check the size chart on the product page.

Try it on: snug all the way around. Do the shake test – if it moves on its own, it’s too big.

Check your goggles: wear them with the strap over the helmet. There should be no gap between the goggles and the helmet.

Goggle compatibility: Firewall, Interstellar and Clockwork MAX fit helmets from size M/L and up. Clockwork fits S/M to M/L.

Frequently asked questions

Choose the Trooper 2Vi® Mips, our iconic freeride helmet, or the Grimnir 2Vi® Mips with its full pre-preg carbon shell. Both are built on 2Vi® with 2-layer Mips and have a goggle garage.

Switcher 2Vi® Mips is the helmet for every kind of mountain day, with vents you adjust with a dial at the back. Igniter 2Vi® Mips gives you 2Vi® and 2-layer Mips at a lower price, and Adapter Mips is a light and comfortable option.

FIS races in giant slalom, super-G and downhill require a helmet certified to FIS RH 2013. Volata 2Vi® Mips Race and Volata Carbon 2Vi® Mips Race meet the requirement. For slalom, Trooper 2Vi® SL Mips has a removable chin guard. Always check the rules for your race.

Firewall, Interstellar and Clockwork MAX fit helmets from size M/L and up. Clockwork fits helmets from S/M to M/L. There should be no gap between the top of your goggles and the helmet.

Most of our snow helmets are Audio Ready, with room for audio in the ear pads. Look for Audio Ready on the product page.

Snug all the way around, level on your head and without pressure points. Do the shake test – your skin should move with the helmet – and check that your goggles sit with no gap.

Replace your helmet after a hard impact, after around three years of normal use, if it has been exposed to temperatures above 62 °C, or if it no longer fits as it should.

Discover Sweet

Stronger. Lighter. Better.

Explore the Sweet-universe.

Check out our latest articles
Check out our latest articles