Today, it seems there’s no end to the technological possibilities available in preparation for the snowy side. Once upon a time, no signal on the side of a mountain meant that check-ins, tweets and selfies just weren’t an option. Now, the list of gadgets and technology we can take with us to the hill means GoPro, GPS and speed/distance trackers, spare batteries, goggles with digital displays, and nigh on constant social media updates, which could send you in the direction of something like Scotty, here. Sometimes, you need to leave the high-tech at the door.
But low-tech products doesn’t mean that they’re not hugely practical, or that they can’t bring a smile to your face. Have a butchers at these. They might not be high-tech, but these little objects will either have a far more practical use for a day out, or bring something a little more old-school or analogue to your run down the hill, allowing you to look at the mountain, not at the screen.
5. Carabiner bottle holder
A staple amongst Japanese skiers and riders, this simple design connects a drinks bottle to your belt, so it hangs off the hip. It immediately saves the faff of having to take your backpack off, or with you if you’re not heading out for a big ski day. Yes, Japan.
4. Ski straps
If you’re venturing off-piste, ski straps are a lightweight, cheap and super practical addition to your backpack. Strap your skis together for an A-frame hiking set up, strap kit together or directly to your pack. They’re also an essential part of constructing an emergency rescue sled, should you need one (more of that later). Simple design, hugely effective.
3. Personalised powder leashes
Most powder leashes you’ll find belong in the dustbin of design. Glorified string and Velcro, or plastic-coated wiring; cheap as chips. Since being in Japan, I’ve witnessed many a skier left probing for their skis on a powder-high hillside. Skis simply disappear here. Rather than shelling out for a new pair of skis, all you need is paracord, two small carabiners and a book (or a website) something like this:
My excellent workmate turned, what should be a wrist band into these:
Once one end is tied to the binding and the other is clipped to your boot, not only are they ridiculously strong (and they work, let me tell you), but they also match mine and Holly’s jackets. Winner.
2. The zip-whistle
A whistle could be a lifesaver, whether you’re lost or in need of help, on or off-piste. But it’s often one of the last pieces of kit that people think about. Although many backpacks now incorporate whistles into the chest strap, I much prefer Volcom’s multi-purpose zip-whistle on its snow jackets. Right by yer gob when you need it most. Genius.
1. The ice cream recipe
When the option is available, good design should be just as much about incorporating humour, charm, or the unexpected within a product’s primary use. Enter the Burton men’s Driver boot (admittedly, this particular boot is not a recent one, but a chance meeting let’s say). Knowing you’ve found the right boot is one thing. Knowing the men who bought these will always have a half decent pudding recipe to hand is quite another. Why? Well, why not? No, it’s of no practical use for snowboarding whatsoever, but it’s refreshing that a little design touch like this was added just for fun, rather than for direct financial or business sense.
AOB
The non-essentials…
I just can’t stand it when the mountain wind messes up my hair. For when times are rough, what could be more practical for a girl when out skiing or riding, than a pocket mirror in her jacket?
Because who KNOWS when a gal needs a last minute lipstick top up? Unfortunately, the men will have to find the ladies in order to rearrange their faces, as they don’t get a mirror in their version of this jacket.
Oh shucks, we’ll just have to share!
Trail 27 
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