We find recreational skiers typically prefer In-Mold helmets. They are lighter and often have higher end features.
Pro & Athlete level skiers, racers, kids, and park skiers typically lean towards Hardshell helmets due to their extra durability and resistance to smaller repeated impacts, such as hitting race gates.
Hybrid shells, typically only found in high end models, offer the best of both worlds. They are lighter than Hard Shells, but still have the added impact resistance in key areas.