Helmets  – a good idea. Ok, they’re ‘not cool’, they ‘make my head itch’, they ‘never fit’. If you ride a bike in London (say) there’s a good chance that you’ll wear a bike helmet. Why? Because all drivers in London are a potential DEATH (© Terry Pratchet) on four wheels. Obvious, really. Well, a tree, or a lift stanchion, or a snow cannon can cause just as much injury on, or off, your favourite pistes. Have you tried hobbling home from the wrong end of the valley after being hit in the head by a less than sensible skier/rider? I have, and I have the scars and dental record to prove it.

Following the death of one of their ski patrol (Kathryn Miller) back in March this year, Jackson Hole has become the latest resort to enforce helmet use, at least for their snowpark and back-country patrols. Now, if it’s a ‘good idea’ for experienced professionals, who are pretty good at avoiding obstacles, maybe it’s a ‘good idea’ for you and yours? So, here’s a quick look at four top brands.

In answer to all of the above points (aka whinges): I give you the Giro Omen. This Matt Grey beauty uses the Form Fit System, which should allow a custom fit in a matter of seconds for most hairstyles. The wind tunnel tested form forces fresh air through – immediate itch reduction! To top it all, the Omen is compatible with über kewl Skull Candy TuneUps Audio Drops (‘headphones’ to us mortals).

As you’d expect, the super-respected Burton snowboard company have their own line of slope protection: RED. This example is a more ‘utilitarian’ style helmet, but has a wealth of typical Burton clever ideas:- Buckles you can do up with your gloves on (numb fingers are not clever things), a gasket to help fit goggles more closer (brilliant in high wind/sleety conditions), and clip in ear pads (keeps freezing winds from playing havoc with your ears). Naturally there’s an audio option, for compatibility with their REDphones system.

It’s the same with winter sports clothing, there are specific male/female/junior models. The Salomon Icon Origins Custom Air is the Ski and Board giant’s women specific helmet, after all, it does feature faux fur removable earpads, possibly beaten in the style stakes by Salomon’s Divine Custom Air which has a ‘leather’ lower half! The Icon’s cutaway half-shell style helmet also has a Custom Fit System.

For younger mountain users (with a lot more to lose by a close encounter with a Piste Basher), I like the Scott Shadow III Youth (in Black, Grey or Pink Kitty). The Rotary Adjustment System should help to fit this lid to almost any head size or shape. There’s a clip to keep goggles attached during any rag-doll style escapades, and the removable ear covers will help keep heads cool in warmer weather, but are there to be used in cold conditions.

If you don’t want to commit your cash to actually buying head protection for your children outright – don’t give up. Consider hiring a helmet in-resort. Alpine Elements offer this option with some of their packages.

For the observant of you, I’ve chosen four brands with four different origins: Giro – Mountain Biking, RED – Snowboarding, Salomon – Skiing, Scott – Moto-cross. Actually, it was Ed Scott who invented the tapered Aluminium Ski Pole (1958), but they’re better known for M-X. For those that remember Cooper skateboard helmets back in the day, you’ll know that they came from ice-hockey.

As the old Advertising strap-line went: ‘Get ahead, get a hat’ – and keep the insides of your head in side your head.