Ouch... I have been wearing a brain bucket since 95'. A skate helmet but a helmet none the less. Bono and Kennedy ate trees the following years. I have never "needed" mine but have always forgotten it was on moments after strapping the chin. I have seen many who wished they had done the same, a couple post-mortem. Glad to hear you were not picking up gray matter. I upgraded to a Ruroc full face this season but it had a defect and is under warranty. Wear protection, even on the hill:biggthump