Ski Helmet Rental

A ski helmet is the piece of equipment that protects you most and the easiest one to leave at home. Here you rent it at the same shop where you pick up your skis or board, at resorts in Spain, Andorra and Argentina, among others: you book online by the day, choose your size and it's handed to you checked and sanitised so you can try it on right there before heading up to the slopes. Below you'll find all the rental helmets available and a short guide to getting the size and fit right.

Ski Helmet Rental at Your Resort

Each product in this collection is a helmet rental at a specific shop, next to the slopes or on the way to them. You choose your dates and size, pay for the booking and pick it up with the rest of your equipment. The final fitting is done at the counter: there you check the fit with your goggles on and, if needed, it's adjusted or swapped for another size with the help of the shop staff.

• Sierra Nevada: snow helmet rental in Sierra Nevada.
• Baqueira Beret: ski and snowboard helmet in Baqueira.
• Formigal: ski helmet in Formigal.
• La Molina: snow helmet in La Molina.
• Grandvalira (Canillo, Andorra): snow helmet in Canillo.
• Bariloche (Argentina): snow equipment rental in Bariloche, with a helmet among the options.

If you want to dig deeper into standards, shell types or when it's worth buying your own, see the complete guide to choosing a ski helmet.

Why Rent a Helmet If You Only Ski a Few Days a Year

• You travel lighter. A helmet takes up a lot of room in a suitcase and can't be squashed. If you're flying or in a full car, renting it at your destination saves you one bag.
• Kids grow. The size that fitted last winter may not fit this one. By renting, each season they wear the size that's right for them on the day, not a bigger one "so it lasts".
• A helmet that has taken a hit stops protecting you. After a hard impact it must be replaced even if it looks intact on the outside. With a rental helmet you don't keep one in the storeroom whose condition you don't know.
• Everything in one place. Skis, boots, poles, board, goggles and helmet are picked up and returned together.

If you ski many days per season, having your own helmet also makes sense: you get used to one fit and you know its history. For a few days of holiday, renting is usually the most practical option.

How to Choose Your Ski Helmet Size

Size is chosen by head circumference, not by age or height. Run a flexible tape measure one or two centimetres above your eyebrows, above your ears and around the most prominent part of the back of your head. Measure two or three times and take the largest measurement.

Size	Head circumference (approximate)
XS	48–52 cm
S	52–55 cm
M	55–58 cm
L	58–61 cm
XL	61–64 cm

Ranges vary by manufacturer and overlap: always confirm at the shop. If you're between two sizes, try both; the rear dial fine-tunes the fit, but it doesn't fix the wrong size.

The One-Minute Fit Test

1. Put it on straight, with the front edge one or two fingers above your eyebrows.
2. Without fastening it, move your head. The helmet should move the skin on your forehead with it, not slide over it.
3. Tighten the rear dial until it feels firm, with no pressure points.
4. Fasten the strap: you should be able to fit one finger between the strap and your chin.
5. Put on your goggles: the frame should sit flush against the helmet, with no gap at the forehead and no pressure on your nose.
6. Wait a few minutes. If anything pinches or hurts, try another size or another model.

Visor Helmet or Helmet with Ski Goggles

A visor helmet has the lens built in: it goes on in one move, leaves no gap at the forehead and many models let you wear prescription glasses underneath. On the other hand, it doesn't seal against your face like goggles do, and in strong wind a little more air gets in.

A helmet with separate ski goggles is still the most common setup: goggles seal better and you can change the lens depending on the light. You just need to check that they fit together. If you also need goggles, take a look at the ski goggles for rent.

Safety: the EN 1077 Standard and Rotational Protection

In Europe, ski and snowboard helmets are certified to the EN 1077 standard, which tests impact absorption, penetration resistance and the strength of the retention system. You'll find it on the inside label next to the CE marking. It distinguishes two classes: class A covers more of the head, and class B covers slightly less and allows more ventilation; both are valid for skiing.

Many helmets add rotational protection; the best-known system is MIPS, but there are others. In a fall the head usually strikes at an angle, which causes a sudden twist. A low-friction inner layer, or a structure that deforms, lets the helmet shift a few millimetres relative to the head and reduces some of that rotation. It's a good extra, but it doesn't replace the correct size and a firm fit.

Hygiene of Rental Helmets

This is the most common concern when renting a helmet. Helmets are checked and sanitised between uses, liner and ear pads included. If you'd rather wear your own layer, use a helmet liner or a thin neck gaiter: it doesn't change the size. What you shouldn't do is wear a thick wool hat underneath, because it changes the fit and the helmet no longer sits properly.

Ski Helmets for Kids

For kids a helmet is essential, and many ski schools require one for their lessons. Measure their head before each season, because they can change size in a year, and avoid the helmet "so it lasts": a big one shifts with any knock. Check that the strap is fastened and that their goggles fit without squeezing their nose. A bright colour helps you spot them on the slopes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Best Helmets for Skiing?

The best helmet is the one that fits your head with no play and no pressure points, is certified to the EN 1077 standard and fits with your goggles without leaving a gap at the forehead. Rotational protection, adjustable ventilation and a low weight all help, but the brand matters less than the fit: a very good helmet in the wrong size protects worse than a simple one that fits well.

How Long Does a Ski Helmet Last?

It depends on use and care, but there are two clear rules. After a hard knock it must be replaced, even if no damage is visible, because the inner foam absorbs the impact by crushing and doesn't recover its shape. Even without knocks, the materials age with sun, cold and sweat; a common recommendation from manufacturers is to replace it after around five years of use.

How Do I Choose My Ski Helmet Size?

Measure your head circumference with a flexible tape, one or two centimetres above your eyebrows and around the widest part of the back of your head, and compare the measurement with the manufacturer's chart. Then do the test: unfastened, the helmet shouldn't move when you turn your head; fastened, only one finger should fit under your chin.

Can I Rent Just the Helmet?

Yes. Each product in this collection is a helmet rental that you can book by the day at the shop at your resort. At many shops you can also add it when you book skis or a board so you can pick everything up together.