Travel Gear: ski gadgets to keep you warm, packed and safe

Brunton HeatSync Vital (Above)
With some very low temperatures recorded on Europe's slopes already this year, Brunton's HeatSync Vital vest is an option to keep your core extra snug. Wear it over a base layer under your shell and it'll tick away at a pleasantly warm 38 degrees for up to 16 hours, though with three heat settings, you can go warmer for shorter days. It's lightweight and adjustable and you can even pre-heat it, so you're fired up before that first scary run. Watch out though: the vest doesn't come with a power pack, so you'll need to get that separately. $74.99 from brunton.com

High Sierra Trapezoid Wheeled Duffel

Part of High Sierra’s Pro Series, this soft wheelie might be the piece for avid snow-heads out there who are looking for something more customised. Big enough to take the regular gear for about a week (or longer depending on your hygiene tolerance), it’s got a pair of outside pockets on each side for your boots and a top pocket your helmet. There are plenty of separators inside to keep everything sorted, and it’s nicely balanced when upright too, so slushy pavements aren’t an issue. $159 from

[ amazon.com ]

Mammut Protection Removable Airbag

If serious off-piste is your bag, then Mammut’s Removable Airbag could be worth the investment. It features a removable avalanche airbag that deploys behind the skiier’s head if they’re caught on a collapsing slope. There are two versions, one that fits a particular type of backpack and this, more flexible model, that wraps around the neck and shoulders. The airbag isn’t there to break your fall, but to keep you at the top of the snow, so you can pull yourself out or make it easy to find you. Fingers crossed you’ll never need it. £430 from

[ snowshepherd.co.uk ]

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