California’a Mammoth Ski Resort has had 5 skiing fatalities in the past 7 days. …a registered nurse from Buena Park, said the accidents were making her consider buying a helmet.
On a fast downhill run, you can exceed 30 mph very easily with
modern parabolic skis, even if you’re a duffer. The fastest that
anyone can run is between 15 and 20 mph; imagine sprinting as fast as
you can, and suddenly fetching up against a tree. Now consider
hitting at 30 mph, with 2.25 to 4 times as much energy. Like motorcyclists, there’s a name for fast skiers who don’t wear a helmet–organ donor.
modern parabolic skis, even if you’re a duffer. The fastest that
anyone can run is between 15 and 20 mph; imagine sprinting as fast as
you can, and suddenly fetching up against a tree. Now consider
hitting at 30 mph, with 2.25 to 4 times as much energy. Like motorcyclists, there’s a name for fast skiers who don’t wear a helmet–organ donor.
My ultimate pet peeve is the skiing family, with all the kids decked
out in helmets, and Dad looking natty in a gimme cap. Some small
proportion of those families will spend the next 3 decades feeding
their paralyzed Dad baby food inbetween shifts at Wal-Mart, hoping to
hell that rates at the nursing home don’t go up. Who’s natty now?
Executive summary: get a helmet right now, and wear it everywhere, dummy! [Yes, even to the bathroom. Resorts often have wet concrete floors, and one bad fall equals one bad concussion. I’ve been known to wear my helmet when playing the piano!]
The Random Texan 
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