YOUR AD HERE »

Snow Show introduces 8 must have gadgets

Ricardo Baca
The Denver Post

Gearheads, rejoice. The SnowSports Industries America Snow Show closes today at the Colorado Convention Center, but it leaves behind a wake of new gadgets, gear and gizmos that will make your head spin, whether you’re a seasoned shredder or a green skier. Here are some of the many memorable items that will be in stores next winter.

The product: Roces Idea, adjustable children’s ski boots

Why it’s cool: Parents are all too aware of the rapid growth of their children’s feet. And while they’re replacing their kids’ high-tops, they won’t have to replace their ski boots – not as often, anyway. With the Idea, a boot that grows along with a child’s foot, the Italian company best-known for creating Rollerblades offers a waterproof boot and liner. The Idea comes in three overall sizes, and the largest fits children as they go from a size 9 to a size 12 – all while keeping the sole unchanged, so you never have to adjust their bindings.



It costs: $126 to $136

Catch the action



The product: Go Pro HD Helmet Hero, a high-quality sports cam

Why it’s cool: You can’t spend any time at a terrain park without seeing multiple riders and skiers with hand-held cams. What good is a sweet trick without the proof that, yes, you nailed the landing? This high-def helmet cam changes that game in multiple ways. Not only does it give riders/skiers a bird’s-eye view, but it also is reasonably priced. New features with the HD cam: a rechargeable battery and better audio than the standard-def model.

It costs: $300

Listen and look good

The product: SkullCandy MP3 Belt

Why it’s cool: Leave it to the ultra-trendy SkullCandy to give us this delightfully indulgent accessory. It’s a good-looking, regular-sized belt buckle, yes. And it’s also a limited-play MP3 player. Does your average snowboarder need yet another MP3 player? In the name of fashion, bro – absolutely!

It costs: $150

Sick sticks

The product: DPS Wailer 112 skis

Why it’s cool: Who knew that the only all-carbon fiber ski on the market came from Colorado? With a focus on engineering, these skis are tops in weight and strength. The Wailer 112 model comes with a traditional side cut and rocker technology.

It costs: $1,199

Ride with ease

The product: Strap Pad, a stomp pad with an added strap

Why it’s cool: This new item is excellent for beginner snowboarders – and for those who want to cut down on the ankle stress that comes on long lifts. It’s a stomp pad with a strap that you step into, not unlike a toe-clip pedal on a mountain bike. It makes exiting lifts a breeze, especially for beginner riders. It costs: $22.50

Stepping lively

The product: Redfeather Snowshoes Conquest

Why it’s cool: Redfeather, a former Colorado company, now makes its snowshoes in Wisconsin. And so long as they keep making products like the Conquest, we’re OK with that. With a frame of injection-molded nylon, these shoes make up for their weight in springiness. And they call these hard-rubber bindings “stand-up” because they are easy to slip on and off.

It costs: $69.95

Suitable for framing

The product: Icelantic Oracle skis

Why it’s cool: Here’s another Colorado ski manufacturer with a killer product, but with the Icelantic models – especially the new women’s skis, the Oracle – you have a piece of art in addition to a fat powder ski. Art director Travis Parr creates the art that inspires what later appears on Icelantic’s skis, and with next year’s line themed musically, the Oracle – with its early-rise tip and traditional tail – represents soul music.

It costs: $629

Be a virtual tourist

The product: Slope Views promotional videos

Why it’s cool: Remember the first time you saw Google’s street-view maps? Imagine taking that technology to the extreme sports world – having a bird’s- eye view, in 360 degrees – of a ski run or a surfing excursion. One visit to this Colorado-based company’s website, slopeviews.com, is all it will take for you to see the potential here. It really is the next logical step in virtual tourism, making for promotional videos that jump off the screen with brilliance and interactivity.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14302790#ixzz0eF1A2mkA


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.

Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.

If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.