Ski touring helmet

Climbing, mountaineering and ski touring: mountain helmets with shared features for men and women

When ski touring, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended: on the way up, it protects you from falling rocks or ice, and on the way down, it reduces the risk of impact on hard snow or rocks — accidents that are far from rare. Wearing a helmet is therefore a key safety factor in ski touring, just like carrying an avalanche beacon, a shovel and a probe, or even an avalanche airbag pack.

Dual-certified helmet: Skiing / Mountaineering

The leading mountain and winter sports brands have often developed their ski touring helmets with a dual certification: skiing and mountaineering to offer maximum versatility during your ski outings. The requirements of these standards differ slightly between the two activities:

• Skiing: protection against ground impact (frontal, lateral or rear).
• Mountaineering: protection against vertical rockfall.

The reinforcements and shock-absorption systems of a multi-standard ski touring helmet must therefore be designed accordingly.

Understanding helmet standards

EN 12492 standard

This standard applies to climbing and mountaineering helmets. It specifically regulates:

• Shock absorption capacity (a 5 kg object dropped from a maximum height of 2 m),
• Penetration resistance (no contact between the object’s tip and the head for a 3 kg object dropped from a maximum height of 1 m),
• Chinstrap strength to ensure the helmet stays in place during a fall.

EN 1077 standard

This standard applies to alpine skiing and snowboarding helmets. It is divided into two distinct classes:

• Class A: provides the highest level of protection (impact and coverage),
• Class B: lighter, leaves the ears uncovered (less effective for side impacts but more comfortable to wear).

Petzl ski touring certification

This certification was developed by Petzl to label its Meteor and Sirocco helmets. The goal: to offer ski tourers the lightest possible helmet, suitable for wearing throughout the entire outing (both ascent and descent).

This certification is not an official standard. It is based on the EN 12492 standard with additional protection (the Top & Side label), but it does not comply with the EN 1077 alpine skiing standard.

A helmet certified for ski touring can therefore be used for climbing, mountaineering, canyoning, via ferrata and ski touring, but it is not approved for piste skiing.

The new EN 18100 standard

A new European standard, EN 18100, is being introduced. It specifically targets helmets for ski mountaineering / fast ski touring and could eventually replace the current mix of EN 12492 and EN 1077. This standard considers:

• Multi-directional impacts typical of ski falls,
• Vertical penetration (rocks, ice) encountered in mountaineering,
• The comfort and ventilation required for prolonged use.

Current status: the French public consultation closed in August 2024. The official publication is expected in the coming years, likely followed by a transition period before mandatory implementation.

In practical terms, until the new standard is published and harmonised, EN 12492 and EN 1077 remain in use, along with internal certifications such as Petzl’s.

Ultra-light helmets under 300 g

Everyone knows that when it comes to ski touring, every gram matters.
Skis, bindings, backpacks and gear are all made as light as possible — and the same applies to helmets.

A featherweight helmet encourages you to keep it on throughout your outing. Conversely, a heavier one often ends up at the bottom of the pack and is only worn for the descent.

Examples:

• Petzl Sirocco: 160 g in size S/M.
• Dynafit DNA: 300 g.

So, which helmet should you choose for ski touring — Petzl, Salomon, Scott or Dynafit?

Several major brands share the ski touring helmet market. For instance, Scott with its Couloir helmet and Petzl with its Sirocco. These multi-standard models adjust to your head size via a rear adjustment dial. They are compatible with head torches for night-time or early-morning outings. If you plan to compete in ski mountaineering, you’ll need a race helmet with dual approval, meeting both mountaineering and alpine skiing standards. Ultimately, to make the right choice, simply go for the lightest helmet with an adjustable fit that meets the relevant standard(s) for your intended use. The helmet is also one of the essential items for properly preparing your ski touring adventure.