How to Choose Goggles for Skiing and Snowboarding - By JK Motion & Luusama

When staying in high altitudes, the air is thinner and filters less ultraviolet (UV) rays. The sun's reflection on snow is brighter and more intense. Wind can make your eyes tear and blur your vision. Ice particles can get into your eyes, as well as twigs and branches when you’re dropping through the trees.

Ski goggles and snowboard goggles can help protect your eyes from these on-mountain hazards, making your outing a lot more enjoyable.

1) Ski / Snowboard Goggles Ventilation

When warm air from your body heat meets cold air from the outside temperature, condensation can form and your vision is compromised. Goggles use a variety of approaches to avoid fogging.

Double-layered lenses are found on virtually all goggles since they do not fog as fast as single-layered lenses. Sealed properly, they create a thermal barrier (like storm windows) that is more resistant to fogging.

Anti-fog coatings are integrated into virtually all mid-level to high-end goggle lenses to help deter fogging. Anti-fog products can be used on lower-end goggles without a coating or on old goggles that are starting to fog.

Vents: The top, sides and bottom of goggles are the keys to help control fogging. Wider vents generally create better ventilating airflow than smaller venting holes. The trade-off? Your face may get cold, particularly in extreme climates.

Fans: A few high-end goggles include small, battery-operated fans to help disperse moisture. Fans with different settings can be adjusted for standing in a lift line, riding the gondola or going down the slope.

2) Visible Light Transmission and Lens Color

Your lens color serves to filter and emphasize the colors in your vision. The amount of light that reaches your eyes through the lens is called the visible light transmission (VLT).

Lighter lens tints have a higher VLT because more light passes through the lens. Yellow, gold, amber, green or rose-colored lenses all offer increased VLT and make good choices on cloudy, socked-in days.

Darker tints have lower VLT because less light passes through the lens. Brown, gray and copper-colored lenses all offer reduced VLT and thus excel on bluebird days.

Clear lenses are appropriate for night skiing.

3) Additional Lens Features of Ski / Snowboard Goggles

UV protection: Virtually all goggles sold today offer 100% UV protection from all 3 types of ultraviolet rays—UVA, UVB and UVC. Remember, even when it's cloudy, UV rays are bouncing off of the snow.

Polarized lenses: A polarizing filter's primary function is to reduce glare from sunlight on snow or water.

Photochromic lenses: These lenses automatically change their tint level according to conditions and UV intensity. The more sun and UV rays, the darker the lenses become. If it's snowing or overcast the lens stays lighter. Indoors, they always stay light no matter the light intensity.

Mirrored lenses: Mirrored lenses have a partial or full lens coating on the outside of the outer lens. This reflects more light and thus allows in less light (by between 10% and 50%) than non-mirrored lenses.

Interchangeable lenses: These let you easily swap out different colored lenses to suit changing light conditions.

Digital display: Some styles offer advanced technology that may pair with GPS and Bluetooth to display navigation, performance and smartphone information within the goggles in real time.

4) Ski / Snowboard Goggles Frames and Fit

Make sure to get goggles that fit your face. The fit should be snug (not tight) and comfortable. Some models are best suited for smaller or larger faces. Women's and kids' sizes may be available, too.

Most frames are made of polyurethane because it allows for some flexibility. In general, a more flexible frame is best for cold temperatures.

Other fit considerations:

Helmet compatibility: Virtually all goggles are helmet-compatible, but it's still a good idea to try on new goggles with your helmet to ensure a comfortable fit. 

Strap adjustments: Most goggles have a single, sliding clip to make adjustments. Others may have an open/close buckle with sliding clips on each side for adjustments. Some children's goggle straps are not adjustable.

Padding: This keeps the goggle from pinching your face. Foam should be thick enough to cushion your face but not be so thick that it promotes fogging. High-end goggles may use 2 or 3 layers of thin padding to enhance venting.

OTG (Over the Glass) styles: If you wear prescription glasses, look for goggles designed to fit over your glasses, often referred to as OTG (Over the Glass) styles. These have space to accommodate glasses while avoiding pressure on your face from the temples and nosepiece. (Tip: You can use an anti-fog treatment on your eyeglasses to help keep them clear under the goggles.)

Lens Shapes of Ski / Snowboard Goggles - By JK Motion & Luusama

Lens Shapes of Ski / Snowboard Goggles

Lenses are usually either flat or spherical. Be aware though that some manufacturers use proprietary terms on their own websites to describe these 2 basic shapes.

Cylindrical lenses: The lens curves left-to-right across your eyes and face, but the lens surface is vertically flat (between the nose and forehead). Cylindrical-lensed goggles are priced lower and work fine, but the flatness can cause more glare and slightly reduces peripheral vision.

Spherical lenses: This lens, too, curves across your eyes and face, but it also curves vertically. Curved spherical lenses give better peripheral vision, less distortion and less glare, but their cost is higher. The larger the lens, the better your peripheral vision becomes.

Several Tips to Prevent Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries - By JK Motion & Luusama

When the temperatures continue to drop outside, winter sports begin to be ready!

Activities, such as skiing and snowboarding, are very popular at all age levels and draw thousands of people to the slopes each year. Although, as health care professionals, we advocate for an active, healthy lifestyle for all, we want to ensure that everyone is active in the safest way possible as to prevent injuries.

Winter sport injuries are dominantly traumatic and can be caused by falls, collisions, ski lift accidents and/or dangerous or rough terrain. Some of the most common injuries that are seen are injuries to the knee (ACL and Meniscus tears), injuries to the shoulder (subluxations, dislocations and AC joint sprains), injuries to the head (concussions) and fractures (wrist, hand, finger and ankle). Although some accidents cannot be prevented, below are some tips to minimize your risk of injury.

ENSURE PROPER INSTRUCTION- If you are new to the world of skiing and snowboarding or haven’t hit the slopes in a while, sign up for lessons before heading out on your own. Most, if not all, ski resorts offer free lessons to new and even experienced skiers and snowboarders. Taking lessons will teach you about proper technique, how to fall safely, how to properly use the ski lifts, the “rules of the slopes” and which slopes are geared for your ability level. Let a professional instruct you correctly before you develop you own bad habits, which can place yourself, as well as those around you, in danger!

UTILIZE PROPER EQUIPMENT- Speak with a professional at a ski shop or sporting goods store when purchasing or renting ski and snowboard equipment. Although the temperature is cold outside your body temperature will slowly increase as you begin activity. Wearing several layers of light, loose-fitting, water and wind resistant clothing will help your body when adjusting to the temperature changes. Wearing appropriate protective equipment such as goggles and a helmet will aid in minimizing the extent of injury just in case an accident does happen.  Before setting sail down the mountain, check the bindings to your skis and snowboard to ensure they are adjusted and set to your height, weight and experience level. Improper set up of you bindings or faulty bindings can lead to a dangerous fall due to lack of control of your equipment. Finally, never use old or outdated equipment without checking with a professional to ensure safety first.

KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS- Check with your instructor or read the signage around the resort and abide by all safety rules of the slopes. Learning how to yield, stop and safely fall meanwhile keeping your eyes and ears open for potential hazards when skiing down a busy mountain can prevent numerous injuries from occurring. When choosing a slope to head down, make sure the trail is marked, free of any rocks, trees and large icy patches and that the experience level matches that of your own. Being aware of your surroundings and learning how to navigate the slopes will not only keep you safe, but will also protect those around you.

WARM UP- Beginning an activity without properly preparing the body sends thousands of people to the emergency room or their physician’s office every day. Just like we let our cars heat up on a cold, icy day our bodies need time to prepare for the stressors that we will be placing on it. Research has shown that “cold” muscles are more prone to injury. Warming up, or increasing blood flow to the body’s musculature, by completing a mixture of static and dynamic stretches and slightly elevating the heart rate by completing a short jog will greatly diminish the chances of a soft tissue injury (i.e. strains and sprains).

HYDATE AND FUEL UP-Give your body all the tools it needs to withstand a long, tiring day on the slopes. Start your day off with a well –balanced breakfast of healthy proteins and carbohydrates to provide your body with the energy it needs to remain alert throughout the day. Dehydration can occur more quickly in the cold due to the amount of respiratory fluid loss through breathing, sweat quickly evaporating in the cold air and under the multiple layers of clothing and people don’t drink water as often due to not feeling as thirsty as they may feel in the heat. Remember to hydrate before, during and after the day as well as replace the calories lost through healthy snacking throughout the day.

Skiing and snowboarding are great ways to remain active in the winter and are sports that can be enjoyed by all if done properly.  Following the tips above and consulting with a professional if you have any questions or concerns, will hopefully lead to an injury free winter sport season!

JK MOTION - THE WORLD'S BEST SKIING & SWIMMING GOOGLE & HELMET BRAND By Luusama & Masei

JK MOTION - THE WORLD'S BEST SKIING & SWIMMING GOOGLE & HELMET BRAND By Luusama & Masei