UKC

Partly prompted by recent posts on ski mountaineering harnesses.

What are people's thoughts on wearing a climbing helmet whilst ski touring?

I've never worn one whilst skiing either on or off piste - although I wouldn't dream of going climbing/summer alpine mountaineering without one and on piste I've certainly felt the need for one because of out of control skiers - but I'm beginning to think there may be a case whilst touring. For weight reasons

I'm thinking in terms of an alpine style helmet rather than a dedicated ski hat.

In reply to Robin Ashcroft:
I've just noticed recently you can buy specific ski touring helmets e.g. Camp Pulse and Camp Speed. Try www.needlesports.com

Though at the moment I use a Salewa Helium, which is rated for biking and climbing.

In reply to Robin Ashcroft: When there are rocks around as well as crevasses (ice is hard) I always wear a helmet.

In reply to Robin Ashcroft:
I have had thoughts about this when ski touring also. I often do routes and summits in conjunction and it does make sense (i've seen nasty ski slips down icy slopes also) but the problem i always find is that they are usually very warm and they would probably end up not being deployed on the head and dead weight.
This could well be a nice niche in the market for some manufacturer no doubt
James e

My ski helmet is always with me when I'm touring, usually on my head but sometimes it just sits inside the top of my Osprey switch pack. On a nice day, on a long skin on open and unexposed terrain it's sometimes just too sweaty for it but when traversing above buttresses or dropping down somewhere steep with exposure below it's always put on. Snow can change from soft spring or powder to neve and then ice within the space of a few hundred metres and I'm more confident with an extra layer on my skull.

In reply to Robin Ashcroft:

I would say the type of helmet you use would depend on what you think the biggest risk is, you taking a tumble or rocks falling from above. Climbing helmets are basically designed to protect you from rockfall from above (I think) so won't neccessarily protect you if you take a tumble, which a ski helmet will. I have first hand experience of this as I got hit on the forehead whilst falling in a climbing helmet and the helmet stayed in tact but my head was fractured. However, on another occasion when being directly underneath a rockfall in a climbing helmet, my helmet/head were fine.

In reply to Robin Ashcroft:

Isn't the other function of a ski helmet to protect your head in the event of a collision with another skier/snowboarder? Something that's unlikely to occur whilst touring.

In reply to Trangia:

We just had four clients on an introductory ski touring week and two of them wore helmets for skiing down.

Having slipped and fallen several times ski touring I think it is probably a very good idea!

I guess it is extra weight going up but worth it - especially on more technical routes. I have decided to get one for myself!