Best Ski Gadgets 2021: With some smart ski tech, hit the slopes

 

(Pocket-lint) - You probably know something about how disconcertingly relaxing it can be, bombing down slopes or taking your time, whether you've been skiing before to give yourself over to a pastime that needs your full attention. That explains why people move mountains across the globe to make sure they can spend some time sashaying down hills, sitting on slowly chugging lifts back up, before rinsing and repeating.

There are not many pastimes that will so comprehensively divert you from your daily life, whether you are skiing or snowboarding, and pack in some stunning mountain sights while you are at it. Even however, skiing isn't exactly the cheapest sport, so contemplating it can be a little overwhelming.

However, something that could make your life a little simpler is some technology - whether you want to learn how to ski or perfect your downhill game, there are a lot of devices that you can take with you for assistance. We have collected for you some of the very best on this list.

Our pick of the best ski tech to buy today

Carv

A coaching partner would be perfect, wouldn't it? If you're pretty new to skiing or are hitting the point that you're not sure how to improve your technique. Teachers, however are incredibly costly and can be a little constrained in terms of the time spent with you.

Thankfully, Carv has arrived on the scene to fully digitally deliver customized coaching. The app connects to the sensors you wear in and on your boots, which tell you how you're skiing in minute detail and whether your balance is as it should be.

After each run, it will tell you how you did and what you need to work on, plus show you how to do that all through your headphones, so that any time you need an update, you don't have to fumble around on your phone. It's a fantastic little gadget that's really going to help you grow your abilities and trust.

Garmin Fenix 6 Pro

When it comes to sports monitoring and metrics, Garmin's new flagship watch is almost the marker to beat. It will keep track of your health and fitness information, as well as deliver pinpoint maps and GPS data to boot. Plus, you'll also get some power back by solar charging on the top-range variant to extend the battery life a little.

It's also rough and rugged, which makes it perfect for a ski holiday. Without needing to pull out a frozen phone every few minutes, you will be able to monitor your progress around a resort or mountain.

Livall RS1 Ski Helmet

Health on the slopes is a serious business - we are totally opposed to the notion of not wearing a helmet while personally pelting down a mountain on some rocks. However, if you want to combine safety with some intelligent features, particularly the ability to play music without needing headphones through bluetooth, then Livall's helmets are godsends.

The RS1 will let you listen to music through its earpieces clearly (or for example, Carv's instructions), but will not drown out the outside world to help you avoid other skiers or hazards. Plus they look fantastic and aren't that much more costly than a regular helmet.

Phoozy XP3 Series

The fear of getting your phone out after a few nice runs to find it worryingly cold and inexplicably low on battery would be known to everyone who's been up a mountain recently. That's because modern smartphones are not nearly hardy enough for severely cold temperatures anywhere, and as a result, battery life takes a serious hit.

It's not too difficult to sidestep the whole issue, though, luckily - pick up a Phoozy pouch for your cell, stick it in your pocket or purse, and relax in the understanding that it's both safe from water and rainfall, and from extreme temperatures. You can notice that it's happy and works normally when you need to verify it.

GoPro Hero 9 Black

Let's talk about action cameras once you're a little more confident about your feet. There are few things that lend themselves to shooting better than skiing - in wide-angle slow motion, even mediocre results look fantastic. GoPro is the obvious choice if you're looking to film your downhills.

The 9 Black is his new Hero camera, and it's predictably the best he's ever made. Even without a stabilizer, you will receive extremely smooth recording, and crystal-clear clarity will ensure that your memories are preserved forever.

Mammut Avalanche Airbag Backpack

We're returning to the issue of protection for our final entry, though. Skiing and snowboarding are extremely fun, but there's also no doubt that they're a more dangerous darn sight than any other pastimes. Crashing is one thing, but there's a background possibility of an avalanche when you're up in the mountains, which is a little scary, particularly if you're off-piste.

If you are trapped in an avalanche, Mammut's variety of airbag backpacks could save your life - they have expanding airbags built-in that could ensure that you are not buried too tightly, enabling you to navigate and either escape or call for help to do so.