Should I wear a helmet for cross-country skiing?
Cross-country skiing, also called Nordic skiing, is a fantastic way to get outside and play in the snow in winter. The peaceful feeling you get from casually gliding through a quiet, snow-covered forest is amazing, and if you’re looking for highly aerobic activity to help you stay in shape during winter you won’t find anything better than the full-body workout you get from both skating and classic cross-country skiing.
Learn more about the differences between skate skiing and classic cross-country skiing. Once they’ve decided to give it a go, many people often wonder, ‘Do I need to wear a helmet when I’m cross-country skiing?’ The answer is simple: it’s totally up to you. Feeling safe inspires the confidence you need to progress quickly and without this confidence, you might end up holding back for fear of getting hurt. So, if you’ll feel safer wearing a helmet then, yes! You should absolutely wear a helmet.
Why don’t people wear helmets when cross-country skiing?
When you arrive at the Nordic tracks, it won’t take long to notice that practically nobody wears a helmet. Why is that? After all, like any sport, as a beginner it takes time to get the hang of things and one look at those skinny skis, minimalist bindings, and the snowy (i.e., slippery) track ahead and you won’t be wrong to there’s a tumble or two waiting for you in your very near future. But don’t be afraid! Flailing around until you get the technique dialed is all part of the fun and can be an endless source of laughter, especially once you’ve gotten the hang of things and are flowing smoothly around the tracks. Many beginner skiers will feel totally safe wearing just a simple beanie. But all skiers are not created equal – we all hit the tracks for the first time with different experiences doing other sports, unique fitness levels, and individual approaches toward mitigating risk. So, like any snow sport, don’t be afraid to follow your gut feeling about what’s best for you and gear up accordingly. To find out what other clothes you’ll need, check out our article that covers everything you need to know about what to wear for cross-country skiing. Women's cross-country ski clothing
What kind of helmet is best for cross-country skiing?
Once you’ve made the decision to wear a helmet, you’ll then need to figure out what kind of helmet to wear. A quick internet search for “cross-country ski helmets” will show there aren’t really any helmets made specifically for Nordic skiing and most of the results you’ll get will be for alpine ski helmets. Why? Again, it’s because most cross-country skiers don’t wear them, and suppliers do their best not to produce products for which there is no demand. But again, don’t let this dissuade you from wearing one. Alpine ski helmets will provide good protection but just keep in mind that those same features that keep your head warm when you’re riding a chairlift will mean your alpine ski helmet will quite likely be too warm for a more aerobic sport like cross-country skiing. So especially for skiing in nice weather, a smart alternative might be a helmet designed with plenty of ventilation for highly aerobic summer activities like mountain biking or road biking paired with a lightweight beanie underneath, if needed. So remember, when learning any new sport, your safety is your own responsibility. When it comes to wearing a helmet when Nordic skiing, decide what’s best for you and enjoy your time on the cross-country tracks with the confidence that results from a sound decision. Have fun! Check out our Cross-country skiing Stories & Guides page for more how-to articles, stories, videos and equipment advice. Women's cross-country ski clothing