Tech Talk: Snowsports Go High-Tech

STYLE TECH TALK SNOWSPORTS GO HIGH-TECH

By Will Reed

time. Time to learn and ski like a pro. Info: getcarv.com.

kiing and snowboarding are expensive undertakings. There is the travel, the clothing, lift tickets, and the obligatory ski-school lessons. Given the cost incurred, there is a natural desire to master the sport, perform well and look good instead of gingerly moving about or being extracted from a snow mound. Thankfully, technology can enhance our precious time on the slopes. Here are a few essentials to really get the most out of your ski/snowboarding this winter. PHOOZY SLOPES OAKLEY Cell Phone Protection Location Is Everything Seeing Is Believing

You’ve finally nailed a ski weekend and you Get a major boost to your ski and Beyond it being too bright on occasion want to send that selfie, or a group photo— snowboard experience by downloading requiring eye protection, that is the only only to find your cell phone has been drained the Slopes app for iOS and Android cell use for eyewear. Wrong. Oakley Prizm of battery life by the cold. The Phoozy pouch phones. Once Slopes knows where you Eyewear is a proprietary lens technology is designed using NASA spacesuit technology are, you press record and get out there; specially designed to enhance both color and and has a unique thermal barrier that protects it will tell where you are and detects ski contrast to provide the wearer with more the cell phone from extreme cold or heat— lifts and runs. The premium version adds detail. On the snowboard and ski slopes, without affecting its cellular, Bluetooth, or more stats and 3-D maps to replay your this means that these lenses can help you Wi-Fi functionality. Phoozy comes in a range experience. Info: getslopes.com. make out the conditions a little more easily of sizes for major phone makers and tablet and make better decisions as to the route to versions. Info: phoozy.com. take. Try the Oakley Flight Deck Goggles with Prizm Persimmon for a high definition

SMITH VANTAGE Safety First

The latest technological development for your head’s safety in the event of a collision is the MIPS liner. Designed to twist with your head inside the helmet in the event of accident versus older helmets, which do not give in on impact, making this a critical safety consideration. The Smith Vantage helmet also keeps your head cool with some 21 vents and their special honeycomb aerocore construction, aiming to improve energy absorption in the event of an impact. Info: smithoptics.com.

CARV Your Own Digital Instructor

Ski lessons are expensive. Private lessons, even more so, and the feedback can be very qualitative in nature. Try Carv— sole inserts for your ski boots and a sensor tracker placed outside of each boot to measure how you distribute your weight with 96 pressure points and your movement with accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer—in short, a lot of data! Combine that with a state-of-theart phone app, and you start getting direct feedback on your performance in realvisual skiing experience. Info: oakley.com.

BEARTOOTH Your Own Private Network

Is cell reception poor on the slopes? Too many others trying to reach one another and overwhelming a remote cell tower? Here’s Beartooth, which consists of a pack of two transmitters that you sync with your phone to create a private network for you and other Beartooth users—even in the absence of a cell phone network. Not only can you speak with one another, but you can also text, share maps, and location. Very handy in the backcountry. Info: beartooth.com. •