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If you are going skiing this season then I do hope you’ll be joining us at Ski Week to party and shred. Wherever you are travelling to this year it’s always important to remember to pack all the skiing holiday essentials... jacket, salopettes, under-armour, socks, helmet… the list goes on and on. Your list of items will vary depending on your experience de ski. Seasoned pros will have far greater equipment demands including custom heat moulded boots and multiple pairs of skis. If you are new to the snowsports scene then it is important to get all your basic essentials locked in before considering our list. The ten things below have been compiled to add a touch of je ne sais quoi to your skiing. In no particular order…
Numéro un: Action Head Cam Over the past few years, action cameras have taken the sporting world by storm. The market leaders GoPro have created and continually innovated an impressive range of cameras that have been snapped up by the snowsports community at large. Their latest, the GoPro Hero 3 comes in 3 editions depending on your budget and videography demands. Browse videos online, to find thousands of examples of what these cameras are capable of achieving, Twitter @GoPro is a great place to start. Don’t rule out the competition, Ion Cameras are also very well constructed and impressive with some differentiated features. Two million action head cams were sold in 2011 and more than eight million sales are expected in 2014, highlighting the value of such a device. This nifty gadget will add immensely to your snowsports experience, as you sit in front of the fireplace after a long day of skiing watching the footage with your mates. Numéro deux: Indestructible Phone Case Continuing on the theme of capturing epic mountain top moments, consider a waterproof, snowproof and shockproof phone case. Okay, so it’s difficult to completely trust a phone case with one of your most prized possessions. Insurance is usually a safe bet but if you have an iPhone then a LifeProof case when skiing is a must. LifeProof are the market leaders for protecting Apple gadgets and personally I’ve had a lot of fun swimming, skiing and occasionally dropping my iPhone protected with LifeProof. It gives you the confidence to use your phone on the mountain. Numéro trois: Tech Goggles Sunglasses are great when conditions are bluebird. However, if you are really going to rip it in all conditions then decent skiing goggles are a worthy investment. For the tech nerds we recommend checking out the top of the range Oakley Airwave Goggles. These bad boys integrate GPS, Bluetooth and onboard sensors to give you real time information and statistics on your skiing. Numéro quatre: Smart Phone Gloves With all this gadget talk grab yourself a pair of smartphone compatible gloves before you go on holiday. Head over to Amazon to find a vast selection and keep your hands snug whilst web surfing and toasty whilst texting. Numéro cinq: Walkie-Talkies Losing your ski buddies and being stuck with nothing but a piste map and basic language skills sucks (I should have listened in French class). Usually, the most experienced skier will naturally adopt a group-leader role. This can be difficult to manage and problematic in a group with varying abilities. The less experienced are too slow and the so-called pro’s get bored waiting around. A set of decent walkie-talkies can give your ski group the flexibility it deserves. We use these communication devices to race from peak to peak and induce ski banter. Numéro six: Protective Gear Now for some parental advice, have fun but play safe. Spinal injuries are a rare but potentially devastating outcome of participating in an intensive sport such as skiing or snowboarding. Get yourself a back protector before buying any other gadgets. Psychologically it can give you the confidence to tackle the jumps and bumps, physically it helps with posture. Whilst we are on the subject of protection, don't forget a skiing helmet. Numéro sept: Instant Wax Whether you are going try your luck on race day at Ski Week or just enjoy some piste cruising, waxing your skis will help you go faster and further. If you have invested in your own ski's then you may also be more inclined to protect them from nicks, scrapes and damage that occurs when they become dry and brittle. On top of having your skis waxed professionally, apply quick and easy Instant ski wax yourself in the hotel and increase your glide speed past your mates. Always find time for ski waxing, maxing and relaxing. Numéro huit: Snow Boots for Resort Every year, it's a surprise at how many people make the mistake of wearing trainers. Look and feel good in and around resort with a stylish pair of snow boots. Keeping your feet warm and dry has to be a priority on anyones list. When wearing snow boots (or at least waterproof shoes), snowball fights are more fun and aprés ski styled partying is more exciting. Numéro neuf: Onesie In recent years, we have seen the rise of the onesie. I'm not surprised at all because they are very comfortable. If you are not the only person engaging in onesie mania, it's easier to feel less of a plonker. What do I know... the ladies love them, check out this video from our friends at Young Ones and don't miss their fantastic range or the opportunity to create your own. Numéro dix: Ski Beard Not much to say really about ski beards except... get one! Look like a genuine ski master. This product is for the more adventurous type but there are also technical benefits, if you suffer from cold face syndrome, a ski beard can be great alternative to a balaclava. |
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