Gizmodo: skis

The Future of Snow Sports Tech

Popular Science — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

Bright ideas and products in skiing and snowboarding, from a Norwegian hotel built into a mountainside to an inflatable pack that can save you from an avalanche

Skiing and snowboarding have always been cutting-edge sports, thanks to renegade personalities and high-tech gear. But this ski season, designers are stepping it up to a whole new level. Here, take a look at some of the finest in snowsports tech-and enter to win some gear of your own.

Want to score your own high-tech snowsports equipment? It's easy: Visit our sister site Skiingmag.com (we share owners, and a love of playing in the snow with the latest gadgets). Every day for the next week, they're giving away free gear, lift tickets and resort packages. All you have to do is answer a trivia question and enter to win.

Popular Science is your wormhole to the future. Reporting on what's new and what's next in science and technology, we deliver the future now.

Nissan's Idea Of A Personal Mobility Device Is A Pair Of Skis on Stilts

Rosa Golijan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EDT

I thought the Honda U3-X was weird, but this personal mobility device prototype by Nissan and AIST actually separates into a whacked out pair of motorized skis on stilts. With its unstable seeming controls, I think I'll stick to walking.

When the the device is in one piece, you can control turns by shifting your weight, but when the sides are split up you're supposed to lift your feet and step around as if truly on stilts. Great, everything already look unstable and you want me to lift a foot without a nice soft pile of snow to fall face-first into?

Thankfully, neither Nissan nor the National Advanced Institute of Science and Technology appear to be in any rush to actually market this thing. [Plastic Pals via Engadget]

When Robots Attack, They'll Also Come by Ski

Mark Wilson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:50:00 EDT

Even though it's not technically an android, the skiing robot looks remarkably like a small child on the slopes, a short figure carving through turns with no real reaction to the experience whatsoever. [boingboing]

Snowmodo: The Twin Parabolic Ski Concept

Christopher Mascari — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:18:00 EST

In the world of downhill ski races the skis' edges are everything, so designer Charlie Pyott has mocked up a Twin Parabolic Ski concept that would add four extra edges to a skis' base.

Using the same logic that makes a pair of skis better at high-speeds than a snowboard, because the skis always have two edges gripping the snow during turns, Pyott's Twin Parabolic Ski concept basically provides each ski with an extra edge. By jointing two longer and narrower skis under each foot, the design allows for more grip at high-speeds since there are more applied edges griping the snow.

Overall the experimental concept seems like a significant way to make downhill racing faster and more dangerous on a pair of skis. The idea of using adjustable joints to make the set of blades under each foot flexible is pretty interesting, and I can't help but wonder if the same concept can be applies to a snowboard in some way. [Yanko Design via DVICE]

Snowmodo is our snow sport winter meet up at Lake Tahoe, with prizes, discounts, tons of fun snow activities, a party and GADGETS. If you can make it (and people are coming from TEXAS) please RSVP. I'll let you wear my hat (below).

Ski Mojo Cradles Butts, Irritates Skiing Purists

Sean Fallon — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:00:22 EST

It has been a month or two since the Ski Mojo made its debut, but given the fact that winter is fast approaching for many of us, it seems more appropriate to alert any older, weaker and lazier skiers out there now. After all, the Ski Mojo allows these folks to better enjoy a day on the slopes thanks to shock absorbers set around the thighs. It is intended to minimize aches and pains while increasing stamina and promoting better skiing posture.

Not surprisingly some purists were outraged. According to Mark Frary, wintersports editor of The Times of London, the Ski Mojo is a device for "pampered skiers" that is comparable to "heated chairlift seats." Personally, I don't see the harm in protecting your thighs and knees from the stresses of downhill skiing. Its not like most of us are racing in the Olympics or anything. But then again, I'm a lazy, lazy man. Available for £289 or around $600. [Product Page via MedGadget]

Self-Lubricating Skis Go Fast

Mark Wilson — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:00:21 EDT

Wildfire Snowsports has developed a ski attachment that will auto-wax skis while in use. And while the idea seems gratuitous for the average skier who's just out to chase some snow bunny tail, the technology could offer a 1-2% speed increase, which is apparently the difference between 1st and 20th place in the Olympics. Or for the rest of us, the difference between the bones just breaking or actually protruding through the skin. [eurekalert via wired]