{"id":6883,"date":"2021-09-18T06:12:55","date_gmt":"2021-09-18T11:12:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/?p=6883"},"modified":"2021-09-20T19:11:12","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T00:11:12","slug":"is-it-okay-to-ski-without-goggles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/is-it-okay-to-ski-without-goggles\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Okay To Ski Without Goggles?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You head out onto the ski slopes one crisp winter\u2019s morning and realize you\u2019ve left your ski goggles back in your hotel room. There\u2019s a queue for the rental equipment and you\u2019re tempted to just head out onto the slopes to enjoy the fresh powder. Is it actually okay to go without your ski or snowboard goggles for a day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skiing or snowboarding without goggles increases the risk of snow blindness, UV damage and injury in case of an accident. Goggles protect you from cold and the wind, and leaving your eyes exposed increases your risk of both impaired vision in the short term, as well as long term damage to your eyes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These risks vary depending on the weather conditions. Whether you\u2019re an advanced skier or just starting out, we\u2019ll explore all you need to know about the pros and cons of skiing without goggles so that you can make an informed decision next time you\u2019re considering this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\"\" <\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n

What Happens If I Ski Without Goggles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For me, ski (or snowboard) goggles are not optional<\/strong> (although you can technically not use them).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a bunch of reasons that are technical, but to put it plainly, most of the time it’s just too cold to ski without ski goggles. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you’re rushing downhill anywhere from 10-20 mph (or more if you’re an advanced skier), <\/strong>the sharp cold winds on your face makes it so your eyes water instantly. Your eyes are a sensitive organ, and to have that cold wind blasted in your face is absolutely miserable without goggles.<\/strong> Not to mention factoring in the wind on the mountain that you’re on (there’s pretty much always some kind of wind up that high). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now past the fact that if you go without goggles, you will think of nothing else except how you wish you had them, <\/strong>there are some safety concerns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety Concerns Of Going Without Ski \/ Snowboard Goggles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Skiing without goggles leaves your eyes exposed to the elements, and increases your risk of UV damage, snow blindness, exposure to the harsh mountain elements and potential damage in the case of accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eye Sunburn <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Just like your skin can get sunburned, so can your eyes, a condition known as photokeratitis<\/strong>. Particularly in the mountains, where there is 50% more UV radiation than at sea level due to the higher altitude. You might not have thought about it, but because of the snow, you are getting all those dangerous sunrays reflected into your eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

50-90% of UV radiation reflects off snow, meaning that any exposed body parts, including your eye area, is subject to the effects of UV damage. <\/strong>This reflection can cut through cloud and fog, so no matter what the weather is, you are still at risk when in the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snow Blindness<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This exposure can cause snow blindness<\/strong>, which just means your eyes are overwhelmed from the bright white for extended periods of time and you lose some of your seeing ability. This however, in the short term, can be treated with eye drops and usually goes away within 24-48 hours. (source<\/a> for more info) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long term exposure to snow without eye protection, however, can cause damage such as cataracts and other eye problems. Luckily, most ski goggles have built-in UV protection, so wearing them can protect the eyes and skin around the eyes from the intensity of the UV radiation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cold Wind = Watery Eyes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The cold and wind can impair your vision significantly on the slopes. Even if there is no wind, the speed at which you go down a slope can cause enough movement of air for your eyes to become watery and your vision blurred.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The extreme cold often prevalent in good ski conditions has a similar effect, and can constrict the blood vessels in our eyes or freeze the cornea, both of which are painful and can result in loss of vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eye-cicles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Not only this, but should it be snowing, raining or foggy, moisture on your eyelashes can freeze without eye protection, which is not only uncomfortable, but can also hinder your vision. Particularly when skiing around other people, this is not only a danger to yourself, but to those around you who you could end up crashing into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ski or snowboard goggles provide protection against the elements. They are sealed by foam or padding around the edges to regulate the temperature underneath them, protecting the eyes and not fogging up to impair vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Eye Injuries<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are a multitude of ways in which injuries can happen on a ski slope. Goggles are one of the items of protective gear, similar to helmets, that can protect your eyes on the slopes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only can they protect your eyes from an injury if you have an accident with another person and get a ski or pole hitting your face, but also against snow, rocks and branches. The goggles act as a tough outer layer, protecting the delicate skin around the eyes from potentially permanent damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These risks may vary according to the weather conditions in their degree of exposure, but all still exist, regardless of your level of skiing, or even whether you are doing other snow sports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ski goggles are an essential form of protection and designed to fit comfortably with your helmet and other ski gear.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I Wear Sunglasses Instead Of Ski Goggles? (Or Other Alternatives)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be wondering whether you could wear sunglasses instead of ski goggles, or even whether the regular glasses that you wear for vision correction can replace goggles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The short answer is no<\/strong>. While regular glasses or sunglasses are better than nothing, they are not good enough to replace your ski goggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The long answer is that if you had no other option, such as if you forgot your goggles but you had sunglasses on and you are already at the top of the lift, then, yes, goggles or eyeglasses are going to offer some protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some sunglasses offer UV protection, but because they aren\u2019t sealed, their degree of protection against the cold and wind are somewhat limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to this, depending on the material they are made from, they can shatter on impact in an accident <\/strong>and may not provide the same degree of resistance that ski goggles do. If they are not UV resistant, they also are unlikely to provide enough protection for good visibility and you will still feel like it is very bright to look at the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corrective glasses offer little in terms of protection from UV rays and from the elements, and in case of an accident could actually cause more harm than protection. If you need to wear glasses and they aren\u2019t comfortable under ski goggles, your best options are to either get prescription ski goggles, or to wear contact lenses under your regular goggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another problem with using sunglasses and eyeglasses is that this eyewear isn’t strapped to your head the same way goggles are–if you crash, you’re going to lose them and you may not ever find them, again.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve had some crashes where even my goggles fell off–so any other eyewear you’re definitely at risk of losing them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Type of Goggles Should I Get?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Worried about the risks of skiing without goggles but not sure how to find the right pair of goggles that will offer you maximum protection<\/strong>? Here are a few tips that will help you when shopping for your next pair of goggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n