Cool gadgets for the piste

4:34pm Wednesday 23rd January 2008

We have a look at the latest, useful little gadgets to make frolicking in the snow even more fun

IF you are heading for the slopes this season for skiing, snowboarding, a little sledging or even just looking for the apres ski action, you'll be aware of just how much kit you need to take.

There's little point trying to compete with the crowd on the fashion front who just use their skiing poles for posing, as the cost of your trip would equate to a small saloon car.

Acquire one of these gadgets and attract admiring glances - they'll even turn attention away from your amateurish appearance on-piste.

SATSKI
£1,500, see www.satski.com

This touchscreen GPS system uses 'real time' data while you're out on the piste to plot your routes and guide you around your resort.

It shows your current position, a map of the runs you took the previous day, shows different routes and their level of difficulty and can also point you towards restaurants, lifts and the like.

SKIBAG
£9.95, from www.touchofginger.com

Inside this portable pack you'll find a hand warmer, lip balm, ski pass holder, sun cream wipe, dextrose slab, plasters and tissues.

The packaging itself is pretty tough too and keeps moisture out, making it a decent place to put your mobile phone or wallet when you're out in the wilderness.

NORTHFACE OFF CHUTE 22
around £70, see www.northface.com

You're going to need a place to stash all your kit and backpacks don't get much better than those from the Northface folk.

This one has a skicarrying system, shovel pocket, snowboard carry and the back panel converts to a backcountry chair.

There are numerous other pockets - too many to mention.

BOOT CARRIER
£3.99, from www.snowandrock.com

Just slip the wooden balls beneath the top clip of your ski boots and close them tight, in an instant you've a top notch carrying system for one-handed action.

Especially useful for kids lugging about oversized footwear. I'll be buying a few for my next trip and be able to command a premium on-piste.

MOTOROLA AUDEX CARGO JACKET
£375, see www.qfonic.com

The integrated Bluetooth technology inside this jacket means you can keep total control of your MP3 player inside your pocket and use your mobile without having to take off your gloves.

A control pad on the sleeve gives you complete access to all your controls.

This is a high fashion item jammed with functionality.

QUICKSILVER MP3 PLAYER
£240, see www.quicksilver.com

For those more extreme activities you'll be needing a hard hat to protect the grey matter, so why not take one with added technology?

A Bluetooth music and mobile link embedded inside the foam lining lets you listen to your tunes while hurtling down the mountainside and then call your folk when you're done to brag about it.

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