Gizmodo: winter sports

Inflatable Rescue Sled Concept Converts into Backpack

AddyDugdale — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:54:16 EDT

If only Janine Zust's inflatable rescue sled was the real deal, and not a concept. Right now, I would be sending it to Blam, who had a whoopsie on the slopes of Tahoe yesterday. Called the Firun, it is small enough to fit into a backpack when deflated. See it packed up below.

I reckon you wouldn't even notice a broken leg on the way down the mountain, because the air would cushion you so much it would feel like you were descending on your own bed. [Yanko]

X-WIng Sled is Porkins' Transport of Choice in Tahoe

AddyDugdale — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:16:16 EST

We've had X-Wing Fighters that go up and down; here's an X-Wing that just goes down. The venue was Minneapolis' Powderhorn Park, and the event was Minneapolis' annual Art Sled rally. Photographer Tony Nelson took pictures of the day, including a rather spanky la-la double robot one, which you can see below, alongside another shot of the X-Wing after its tumble in the snow.

You can see the full set on the Minneapolis/St Paul link. [Minneapolis/St Paul via Neatorama]

G-Cell Communication Glove Uses Bluetooth, Talk-To-The-Hand Technology

AddyDugdale — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:28:53 EST

Billed as the first communications glove, the G-Cell glove is a collaboration between glove manufacturer Swany and experimental development company Texsys GmbH. The design, with its integrated microphone, speaker and a couple of buttons to make calls, is clearly aimed at winter sports enthusiasts. Here's what the G-Cell has got:

Bluetooth 2.0-compatible, there's a voice dialling system, vibrate and visual alarm modes. Standby is 240 hours, and you get 48 hours' talk time. Running on a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, the G-Cell—which is, of course, waterproof—is currently merely at the development stage, but here's hoping it goes into production. I'm betting Blam would love to test this one out up at Tahoe. [talk2myShirt]

Solar-Powered Ski Suits Have LED Lighting in Them

AddyDugdale — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:45:13 EST

LEDs are becoming pretty commonplace in clothes these days, but Willy Bogner has come up with an idea that is actually useful rather than decorative. He has come up with solar-powered ski suits with LED trim on them to keep you visible on the slopes. The thin film technology lights were designed by Osram, and Bogner unveiled them at an event in Munich last month. There's another pic after the jump.

Weirdly enough, the press release talks about the ski suits being for 2036 — do we know if there's a general moratorium on avalanches until then? [Dezeen via Be Sportier">]

Porsche Kinderbob, for Only the Most Chic Kids

Charlie White — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:45:00 EST

It's not hard to find items with the Porsche logo on them lately—heck, we're thinking that soon you'll even be able to find Porsche dildos. If you'd like to have just one thing with a Porsche logo on it in your household, this little bobsled for your kids might just qualify. It costs $115, and that's a whole lot less than a Porsche car, or even the Porsche cellphone. It doesn't look half bad, either. [Porsche Design, via GeekAlerts]

Alu Sled Shock-Absorbs Your Butt on Bumpy Downhill Slopes

AddyDugdale — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:45:18 EST

In the world of snow fun, there are sleds, there are tea-trays and there are even plastic bin bags (if you are a suicidal sledger, as I was in my teenage years). And then there is this, the Alu sled. Built from aluminum, the shock-absorbent silver slider has plastic runners, a handbrake, and packs up into a sexy little carry case when you're done tobogganing (see below).

The lightweight Alu will carry up to 220 pounds, but will really lighten your wallet, as it will set you back a steep $636. [Sci-Fi Tech]

Venom Switchboard, a Cross Between Skis and Snowboard

Charlie White — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:45:18 EST

Winter is coming and it's just about time to hit the slopes, but are you having trouble deciding between downhill skiing and snowboarding? The Venom Switchboard is a cross between the two, and adds an aluminum steering bar for even greater control. This vehicle looks like it mixes together just the right amount of danger and thrills, and it's not all that expensive, either.

The Switchboard consists of two boards joined together, and when you move the attached bar along with your front foot, it turns the articulated front board, giving you lots of control. You might not want to try this one on icy slopes, but screaming down a hill of packed snow, powder or loose granular ice might be the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Imported from the Netherlands, Switchboard is now available in the United States for $590. [Venom, via Sci Fi Tech and SkiBikeFun]

Lifebag Saves Lives in Avalanches, Doubles as Halloween Costume

AddyDugdale — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:00:46 EDT

Aimed at winter sports enthusiasts, the Lifebag is a nifty refillable backpack. Weighing in at less than three pounds, its 150-liter capacity tank fills with gas in just three seconds when inflated manually, protecting the head and upper body of the wearer. But this Swiss invention could be so much more than just a life-saver, don't you think?

Forget inflatable sumo, how about inflatable football?
If you ever wanted to go as the headless giant to a Halloween party, now's the time.
Standard issue for shorter-than-normal club doormen.
Fashion, darling.

The Lifebag costs $1,100 and won't be available in the US until December 2008. [Snowpulse via Cool Hunting]