Backcountry Access Releases New BC Air Touring Helmet Designed Specifically for Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding

March 8, 2021

Boulder, Colo. — Backcountry Access has released its new 2021/22 season BC Air touring helmet designed specifically with backcountry skiing and snowboarding in mind. The new BC Air touring helmet broadens BCA’s offering of preventative backcountry gear to include head protection products that help mitigate blunt force trauma in the event of an accident.

“Our goal is to save lives,” says Bruce Edgerly, BCA co-founder and Vice President. “Asphyxiation is only part of the equation in an avalanche: about 30 percent of fatalities are caused by trauma, mainly through head and chest injuries. We think skiing and snowboarding helmets are an essential piece of backcountry safety equipment, but they need to be lighter and better ventilated.”

The BC Air’s minimal weight of 340 grams/11.9 oz (in size S/M), paired with an abundance of ventilation in the form of passive channel venting, provides direct airflow between head and helmet. This venting system moves moisture and heat to avoid clamminess on long days. The balance of lightweight breathability is intended to allow wearers to forego removing the helmet on the ‘skin track’ portion of the day, thus increasing safety in avalanche terrain while maintaining comfort. For sweaty ascents, earpads can be removed when maximum airflow is needed.

The goal, as Edgerly notes, is “to be able to leave your helmet on all the time: whether you’re going up or coming down the mountain. Do you turn your transceiver off on the uphill? Do you put away your airbag trigger? Of course not. And you also shouldn’t be taking off your helmet.”

Integrated headlamp clips allow users to maintain visibility during non-daylight hours to aid in safety during dawn and dusk backcountry missions. Also included: a Boa® fit system allows for a snug fit across a range of head sizes so that the BC Air can offer maximum protection without slippage.

A full ASTM snow sports certification of the BC Air touring helmet provides proper safety in the event of a crash or impact. This further discourages those looking for a lighter option to choose a climbing helmet that’s not correctly rated for skiing and riding-related head impacts.

“We’re always excited to address the ‘bigger picture’ regarding safety,” Edgerly explains about BCA’s new venture into headwear. “By addressing the trauma side of backcountry safety, we’re broadening our scope and increasing our ability to save more lives.”

About Backcountry Access

Backcountry Access (BCA) is North America’s leading manufacturer of snow safety equipment, including Tracker avalanche transceivers, Float™ avalanche airbags, BC Link™ two-way radios, and avalanche shovels and probes. Our mission is to save lives, not just sell products. BCA has always considered education to be just as important as the gear it makes. That’s why BCA supports avalanche education programs and forecast centers–and why it backs up all its products with consumer education and knowledgeable customer service.