Why do downhill ski racers wear helmets?

Answer

Have you ever been skiing and fallen, crashed, or "had a yard sale" as they typically call it in downhill ski racing? It can hurt. Downhill ski racers can reach alarming speeds and need protective between their bodies and the hard, ice and snow beneath them. Ski racers have always been known to be a little crazy, which is true because they can fall so hard that their skis break in half!

Downhill ski racers wear helmets because concussions used to be a common occurence. A ski racer might catch a tip on a ski gate and fall head first down the hill. You pick up speed when you are sliding down the steep hill of ice and sometimes crash into other people, equipments, and trees. Yes, it is crazy!

If you don't wear a helmet you also risk scratching up and bruising your face on the ski gates, your skis, ski poles, and the ski hill itself. It can be a mess. So downhill ski racers wear a helmet to protect their noggin!

First answer by JillianG. Last edit by JillianG. Contributor trust: 334 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 89 [recommend question]