For many Mainers, winter is the best season of the year. While residents of warmer climates scratch their heads, thousands of hearty New Englanders are celebrating the cold and snow. They know it creates great conditions, especially for skiing.

While skiing is a terrific outdoor activity, it can also be dangerous. According to the National Ski Areas Association, the number of fatalities attributed to skiing has remained steady at about 40 per year, despite the fact ski equipment has become much more advanced and safe.

There are several important things Mainers can do to make sure this year’s ski season is a safe one for them and their families. In this column, and in two weeks, I’ll discuss the best approaches to staying healthy on the slopes this winter.

The most important piece of safety equipment to bring to the slopes is a helmet. Helmets save lives by protecting the skull against blunt and sharp trauma, and there is also evidence they are important in preventing concussions.

Not all helmets are created equal. At minimum, select a helmet that has a hard shell and a closed-cell foam lining.

There are some great side benefits to helmets, too. Helmets are warm and light, and they’re great companions when a fast-moving T-bar conks you in the head.

If you’re selecting your helmet to match your parka or because of how it looks with those new goggles, you may not necessarily be getting the best protection. Companies like Briko and Poc, who make the helmets that protect Lindsey Vonn, Bode Miller and other World Cup racers while they are skiing over ice at up to 60 miles per hour, put the best protective technology into their equipment.

A good bet is to look for a manufacturer whose line includes racing helmets. This way, you’ll benefit from the same advanced technology even if you select a recreational model.

Making sure the helmet fits properly is essential. A good outdoor retailer can help you get the right fit. An easy test you can do at home is to turn your head upside down with the helmet on and unstrapped. If it falls off, it’s too loose.

Most people don’t know that the materials in helmets fatigue. Over time, cycles of warm and cold air and sunlight cause helmets to lose many of their protective qualities. Replace your helmet every three years or after a particularly hard fall.

The most important thing to remember about a helmet is that it won’t protect you unless you wear it. This may seem obvious, but parents know it can be a struggle getting teenagers to remember their helmets.

Start your kids wearing helmets as soon as they hit the slopes and you’ll never have to worry about a battle when they are older.

Make sure your kids have a hand in picking out their helmets so they can share their preferences about style and fit with you. Encourage their friends to wear helmets and you’ll have peer pressure on your side.

And most of all, parents, ski instructors and patrollers can help kids by setting a good example and wearing helmets themselves.

Next time we’ll talk about tweaks to skiing equipment and technique that can keep your knees and hands out of the orthopedist’s office.

Dr. James Glazer is a sports medicine physician for Coastal Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Freeport. He serves as a consultant for the Portland Pirates and the U.S. ski team.