Bethel Citizen 3/17/16

Prime Time Ski Club News for Bethel Citizen 3/17/16

For further information contact: 

Terri Messer at tmesser@aol.com or 207-671-0715

The variable conditions at Sunday River ski area continue to fluctuate from firm, hardpacked snow to soft, slushy conditions, depending on the day and the time of day. Early last week some of our members reported wonderful skiing before warmer temperatures and liquid precipitation moved in. Members’ snow condition reports seem to depend on what time of day they skied and where they skied and the type of conditions they like to ski. The number of Prime Time Ski Club members on the mountain seems to be dwindling along with the snow cover. However, there are still a good number of our members who aren’t ready to give-up skiing for the season yet so don’t hesitate to join us weekdays around 10 a.m. at North Peak Lodge if you are looking for a ski buddy.

For those who are still skiing in these spring conditions, it’s a good idea to think about the importance of wearing a helmet. Warm temps and sunglasses are more conducive to skiing with bare heads or ball caps than a helmet. However, according to a study by the snow sports industry, helmets can reduce the incidence of non-threatening head injuries by as much as fifty percent. The rigid protection of a ski helmet can protect your head against scalp lacerations and minor bumps. (Yet, even with increased helmet usage by snow sports enthusiasts, serious injuries and death by head injury have not statistically been shown to have decreased.)

To make sure that your helmet is as effective as it can be, it’s a good idea to check it each season and, according to most helmet manufacturers, replace it around every five years. Look for scratches on the exterior deep enough to fit your fingernail in, delamination between the plastic and foam and any cracks to the interior foam. The helmet manufacturers’ five-year replacement suggestion comes from the fact that glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner material as can hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics as well as normal wear and tear. Also, most helmets are designed for single impact use so if you have had a major crash with your helmet, you should replace it immediately.

With sales at local ski shops well underway now is a good time to look for a bargain when replacing your helmet. To make sure that the helmet fits properly try on a few different models by several manufacturers. Once in place the helmet should grab your head in such a way that rocking it around with your hands moves the skin on your forehead even before securing the chin strap. When secured, the chin strap should have a little slack to allow for breathing and talking. To get a helmet to fit securely you may need to adjust the foam padding and the circumference tension via wheels and internal straps. It’s also important that your googles fit with the helmet so bring goggles along when helmet shopping.

A Prime Time Ski Club column on goggle fit and selection was published earlier this season.You can go to the Prime Time Ski Club website, www.primetimeskiclub.com, to read previously published columns and to check out club information and activities. If you are 50 or older you can join club members weekdays at 10 a.m. at North Peak Lodge, upper level to the right, just beyond the bar. Some members also meet at 8:30 a.m. or so in the Mahoosuc Room at South Ridge base lodge to boot up and get to the lifts as soon as they open at 9. Join us for some fun spring skiing and socializing on the deck!