On my own, don't really care if bar up or down. When with anyone else, especialy strangers, always bar down. Never know what stupid thing some other numbskull will do and take me with them. Not very trusting am i. When kids are on the lift..it's a no brainer.
Have thought about a helmet for a while, and now am going to wear one. I wear one when riding a pushbike and motorbike, so is skiing any safer? This year a friend fell on softish snow and ended up in wally world for about two minutes after what looked like a very soft fall. You just never know i guess.