7 Gadgets You Need This Ski Season

From voice controlled cameras to goggles that will track where your friends are on the slopes, companies like GoPro, Garmin and Oakley continue to up the ante when it comes to the coolest gadgets you can get for the slopes. Some of them are quite practical (like Outdoor Research’s heated gloves) and others are – well – playful indulgences. But hey: if your wallet can take it, why not invest in technology that is redefining the recreational skiing experience? Here are 7 go-to gear gadgets you’ll want this season:

From the company that made high definition action sports video available to the masses comes the new Hero5 Black, which incorporates the same technical draws of the previous Hero4 (4D Ultra HD camera and waterproof design) with a few new souped-up features. GoPro made attempts to redesign the microphone technology to lessen wind noise; they also introduce the Hero5 as the first model to use voice command technology, meaning you can now instruct the camera when to record (much like a smartphone). Wireless cloud storage allows users to upload footage over wifi automatically.

$400 GoPro

Keep your feet toasty with Hotronic’s latest warmers. These interchangeable soles can easily transfer from ski boot to snow boot, and boasts battery power that lasts up to 10.5 hours at a comfortable 107-121° F setting. The battery pack offers 3 main settings with a fourth booster range that’s controlled by a timer (so you don’t accidentally blow the battery life). If cold toes are your main limiting factor when it comes to getting out on the slopes, Hotronics

$249 Hotronic

The Jammypack is probably the coolest piece of gear you’ve never heard of. Born from the needs of music lovers in southern California, the Jammy was designed to satisfy the needs of action sports enthusiasts to carry their tunes with them wherever they went. Jammypacks feature durable, water resistant exteriors with built in speakers and traditional fanny pack storage pocket. The newest models feature Bluetooth technology and rechargeable battery packs, so you can go wireless with your tunes on the slopes.

$70 Jammypack

Oakley redefined the ski goggle when it created the Airwave 1.5: the company calls its high end product a “mobile dashboard.” The goggles not only incorporate Oakley’s signature High Definition Optics, but can navigate and track your entire day on the slopes. These goggles track speed, vertical, and location; they can locate and track friends on the slopes; they can even pick up incoming calls and texts using Bluetooth technology compatible with Apple and Android.

$550 Oakely

Nothing puts a damper on a powder day like a lost ski. It can happen to anyone: cruising down an open powder curtain getting faceshot after faceshot and at some point you set to turn and realize one of your skis has dislodged and disappeared. With the RF technology empowered Resqski, you can track a lost ski from 30m away and up to 1m down. Removable homing tags placed on each ski are just 7cm in length, and don’t interfere with avalanche transceivers. The handheld tracking device is the size of a playing card.

£88 ResQski

Outdoor Research designed these award-winning gloves to keep your hands warm from first bell to last chair – even in the most frigid temperatures. A rechargeable battery-power heating system offers sustained warmth; GORE-TEX inserts offer waterproof protection in storms. What’s most impressive is the lightweight nature of the gloves: despite all the added bells and whistles, they still weigh only 17.9oz.

$355 Outdoor Research

The Fēnix 3 will track your stats, give you feedback, and keep you fit – all while easily sustaining the elements on and off the slopes. A built-in GPS antenna offers highly accurate tracking, while the watch’s altimeter and barometer log your progress on the hill. The compass is handy for backcountry pursuits. Bundle packages include additional heartrate monitor technology for fitness buffs.

$499 Garmin