Men's Maze MIPS Snow Helmet, $140, available at Sun & Ski Sports
Women's Allure MIPS Snow Helmet, $140, available at Sun & Ski Sports
As a new and beginning skier, you're going to fall. A lot.
That's why you need a quality helmet. You could spend as little as you want on everything else in this packing list, but you're going to fall more than you can imagine as a beginner, so a properly fitted helmet is imperative.
They're not the cheapest ones on the market, but Smith's snow helmets are super lightweight and have a low profile, making them great for beginners who aren't yet accustomed to wearing helmets.
This one also has MIPS protection, a system designed to help protect your head from smashing directly into the side of the helmet. You probably aren't ready for steep runs, back bowls, and moguls just yet, but you should wear a helmet even on green runs.