10 Best Ski and Snowboard Helmets for the 2023 Winter Season

Smith's Holt is one of the most popular snow helmets at many ski resorts across the country thanks to its simple style and affordability.

This is a classic two-layer helmet with ABS plastic outside and EPS foam inside. The soft liner and removable ear pads are plenty of warmth for most winter days and can be coupled with a beanie when the going gets tough.

Its elastic band isn't as snug and adjustable as helmets with a dial, but it's plenty comfortable for the budget-minded skier or snowboarder. And 14 vents (fixed open) keep you cool when the rest of you is toasty.

One of our editors, Christine Anderson, has worn a Smith Holt for years. It's sleek, comfortable, and warm, and she can attest to the impact absorption. She avoids yard sales whenever possible and is generally at the back of the (very fast) pack, but she's known to take a spill or two every day on the slopes. Smith protects her noggin season after season.

When you need a simple helmet that will complement — and not overpower — the rest of your outfit, the Holt is a shoo-in.

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We’re a huge fan of Pret’s helmets as an alternative to the most popular brands on the mountain (think Smith, Giro). In addition to a unique two-tone styling that we can’t get enough of, this helmet’s wool-blend liner is one of the most comfortable we’ve worn to date.

To adapt to changes in the weather forecast and in your body’s temperature, all of the 16 vents can be opened, partially opened, or closed altogether with the simple push of a lever. When you swap between a beanie, gaiter, or hood, the ear-covering portion of the liner can be removed simply without affecting the fit of the helmet, and the quick-adjustment dial locks everything in place with the just-right fit.

This snow helmet features a polycarbonate shell with EPS foam inner, but with a few extras for added protection. Pret has combined the MIPS system with added carbon composite plates in areas where you need impact absorption most (top, rear, and sides), delivering some injury-defying defense for your head.

Overall, the Fury X is a complete helmet with solid excellent adjustability that fits and looks better than a tailored suit.

Whether the backcountry is your ski area of choice or you just want a minimalist helmet that you'll forget is on your head, Smith's newest snow helmet is the ticket.

The Summit MIPS is loaded with head-protecting technology and is priced competitively. It has the MIPS brain protection system that skiers and snowboarders love and need. Zonal Koroyd — Smith's honeycomb-like construction — absorbs impact better than traditional EPS helmets.

Catering to backcountry travelers, this helmet weighs a mere 14 ounces, so it won't bog down your pack. Its BOA dial system ensures a snug fit and folds into the helmet for space saving. A total of 33 fixed vents offer incredible ventilation while improving weight-saving. Best yet, the style is one that you can rock from backcountry huts to sidecountry bootpacks from the resort's highest chairlift.

Anon really nailed it with their new Logan offering: It's a highly protective helmet with comfort for days and a style that's dialed. The Logan is one of the first snow helmets to use WaveCel — revolutionary helmet technology that received funding from the National Institute of Health for research and development.

To get more specific, WaveCel is a honeycomb-like construction that can both crumple and twist with impact, which distributes force throughout all of the interconnected cells and offers the same rotation minimization of a system like MIPS. Translation: WaveCel is some seriously next-level protection for your dome, and Anon is the only brand using it.

We've spent a few days in this helmet so far, and have nothing but positive praise. The liner and ear pads are soft and moisture-wicking, the 10 passive vents shed heat without leaving you chilled when temps drop, the Fidlock magnetic buckle is manageable while wearing mittens, and the Boa dial wraps your head as evenly snug as a mother swaddles her newborn.

We've yet to put its protective qualities to the test, but this helmet has us skiing confidently, pushing our limits, and looking fly while doing so.

Just a few years back, Sweet Protection infiltrated the North American market after plenty of success in Norway. Their prosperity is owed to top-quality helmets that prioritize safety, catering to skiers and snowboarders who don't mind paying a premium for peace of mind.

The Switcher MIPS is one of the most advanced ski and snowboard helmets available, courtesy of the company’s “Thermoplastic Laminated Carbon Fiber” (TLC) shell construction, which is strong enough to stand up to heavy blows, flexible enough to disperse energy, and lighter in weight.

When combined with MIPS technology for rotational force reduction and Impact Shield inserts for shock absorption in the most crucial zones, this is some of the best protection available today.

The Switcher is loaded with extras that are all easy to manage with gloves, too, like 22 vents that are fully adjustable with a simple one-turn dial, an adjustment dial for a secure and comfortable fit, a magnetic chin buckle that practically attaches itself.

Sure, it's pricey, but we believe it's a small price to pay to live to ski another day.

This simple, affordable, multisport helmet provides plenty of protection for the skier, snowboarder, or skater who doesn't have the funds (or storage space) for both. The classic two-layer construction (ABS shell, EPS inner) will protect your head in case of a wipe-out, whether you're in a park made of snow or concrete.

The adjustable dial is a great feature that's rare at this price point. Nine vents provide ample ventilation and can be shut with a glove-friendly lever when it's freezing. The improved goggle clip keeps your eyewear from falling off in the event of a hard fall.

Keep the padded inserts and ear pads in when you're on the mountain or remove them when you're skating in the sun. It's two helmets for the price of one.

The new Giro Terra MIPS Hemet is sleek, lightweight, and has all the necessary features to keep you safe, stylish, and comfortable when you're out shredding all day. An in-mold construction, which fuses the outer shell to the foam liner, keeps the Terra helmet lightweight (14 ounces) while delivering solid impact protection.

This helmet has a low-profile fit that freestyle skiers love. Auto-venting technology features inner channels that improve airflow, whether you're in motion or standing still. Adjustability is simple with the intuitive dial, making it easy to find that comfortable, performance-oriented feel.

Giro's Terra also features industry-leading MIPS technology, which works by allowing two liners to move independently of each other when the helmet is subject to force, reducing rotational energy during certain impacts. If you've ever had a big spill, you understand why people pay extra for MIPS.

If you're considering not wearing a helmet just to save some money on rentals (we know the cost adds up quickly), find somewhere else to pinch pennies. The Kelvin costs less around $70 — that's more or less what you'd pay to rent a ski helmet for three days, and it's much cheaper than a trip to the emergency room.

This simple helmet has a classic ABS shell and EPS core construction. It has a soft fleece liner and ear pads that are easy to remove for cleaning, plus 14 vents and a quick dial for fit adjustment, and not to mention it comes in 13 different colors to match your jacket.

Ride freely with security and confidence thanks to one of our favorite (and newest) offerings from Smith, the Liberty MIPS helmet. It's the culmination of years of innovation, combining best-in-class protection with trend-setting style, and it's $50 cheaper than their top-of-the-line Vantage helmet.

Aerocore is Smith's hybrid helmet construction on display here. An integrated skeletal structure meets Koroyd — an open-cell, honeycomb-type protective material that absorbs more impact and provides more airflow than traditional foam helmets. When combined with MIPS, this helmet provides some of the best head protection for ladies who send it.

We love how easy it is to make micro-adjustments for the just-right fit, thanks to the VaporFit dial. A whopping 20 vents are easy to adjust with gloves on. A women-specific antibacterial performance lining adds comfort and warmth, and the brim matches the curvature of Smith goggles for a seamless, gap-free look.

Looking for pro-level safety? Nobody needs more protection than an aerialist, and four-time Olympian Ashley Caldwell trusts this helmet the most. Its outer shell is fused to the inner foam layer, which helps absorb impact during big falls.

Customizing the Drift helmet is a breeze, too: Tighten things up with the Fine Tune Adjustment dial, crank up the music-compatible earpads when the mountain is empty or remove them on warmer days, and adjust its 13 vents to let cool air in and warm air out. With such a wallet-friendly price, there's no surprise this helmet is an Amazon best-seller.