September 29, 2008 E-MAIL PRINT

Grab a gadget

The FK Edge Trick can help get your skis in tip-top condition.

Are you the gadget type?

This is how Webster’s dictionary defines the word gadget: 1. any small, especially mechanical contrivance or device 2. any interesting but relatively useless or unnecessary object.

Whichever definition you prefer, it’s tough to ignore the number of gadgets that surround us when we’re skiing.

Skiing used to be simple. Strap on the skis, ride the lift and ski down. Now, parkas have special pockets for cell phones and iPods. Nurseries at ski areas issue pagers to skiers who don’t have cell phones. Skiers keep track of the vertical feet they accumulate on special devices, and when turning to strike up a conversation on a lift it’s common to notice the other passenger nodding his head to some tune in his earphones. We are surrounded by gadgets, even if we choose not to use them.

We can see them everywhere. There are several types of ski locks to secure skis to the rack while you go in for lunch. If separated, we can communicate with others in our party by cell phone or walkie-talkie. There are gadgets for tuning skis and buckling boots.

Let’s take a look at some of the more useful gadgets, and some that are strictly luxury.

For those who want the security of a helmet and the ability to listen to their favorite tunes, there is the Giro Omen TuneUps Wireless. Developed in conjunction with Motorola, this device consists of a pair of modular speaker pods that clip into the ear pads of the helmet. The easy-to-reach controls, located on the speaker pods, can be used even with gloves on.

Another electronic device comes from Cobra, well known in the two-way radio business. Most commonly referred to as walkie-talkies, a pair of Cobra hand-held two-way radios can keep skiers in touch on the slopes even as one skis the black diamonds while others cruise the blues and greens.

Do-it-yourself tuners have a wide variety of gadgets available. The FK/SKS catalog has 16 pages of items for tuning and waxing skis. The company’s Multi Tuner has been a standard in the home-tuning industry for more than 25 years.

Skiers tired of pulling on damp boots in the morning after working up a sweat on the slopes the day before should check DryGuy products. DryGuy offers three boot-drying items for use at home or on the road.

Simpler gadgets include straps for carrying boots over the shoulder and a device that makes boot-buckling easier — great for kids.

There are also a bunch of items that make things easier to teach kids to ski. Former U.S. Ski Team member Steve Lathrop developed a full line of products, including straps to lift kids onto the chair and special poles to help them along. His website explains their use.

It seems as if there is a gadget for every aspect of skiing and every skier out there. You can find them in ski shops and electronics stores. Some, such as stones to remove burrs from edges, can be found in hardware stores or outdoor stores. Check out the companies’ websites for our list and more.

Dave Irons is a former ski patroller and veteran ski writer from Maine.

E-MAIL

Grab a gadget

Also See ...

Best Bets