The tech world is everywhere these days, with smart phones, smart watches, and even smart eyewear. But even though all those buttons and swiping can make everyday life a bit easier (and more stressful), does all that tech belong on the mountain? A recent editorial in the Telegraph questioned the benefits of technology on the hill, arguing that skiing and snowboarding is no longer about a break from the stresses of everyday life or about enjoying the peacefulness of nature. Curbed Ski looks at all the types of technology we use at ski areas, and then throws it out to you: are tech gadgets ruining the ski experience?
We have to admit that the Curbed Ski staff are frequent users of all things techy on the mountain. The benefits of smart phones mean that we get up on the hill more often; it's much easier to "work" on the hill when you can send a few emails and make a few phone calls.
A list of the most frequent technology we see on the mountain:
· Smart Phones
· Ipods/Music Devices
· GoPros and other Video Recording Devices
· Goggles with Heads Up Technologies
· Boots and Gloves with Heaters
Are we missing any?
In a world where everyone is obsessed with getting the perfect selfie, it's no surprise there's a backlash. Sure, we don't "check-in" at the top of every run, but some people do. And there are plenty of sub-par skiers out their subjecting their friends to hours of downright painful GoPro footage. And although there are plenty of apps that do it, we've never really been the kind to track each run or total vertical feet. For us, the tech is just there to keep us connected to an ever-changing world. It's not to brag that we just skied 50,000 feet of vertical in one day.
But what do you think, Curbediverse? Has all this Facebooking and Instagramming and Tweeting gotten out of hand?
· High-tech gadgets are ruining skiing [Telegraph]
· High-Altitude Coworking Hubs Are Taking Over Ski Country [Curbed Ski]
· From Volcanoes to Jesus, 8 Bizarre Things You Can Ski To [Curbed Ski]
· What It Means To Ski in a Vail-Dominated World [Curbed Ski]
· Why the Death of the Ski Bum Will Ruin Ski Towns Everywhere [Curbed Ski]
· The Snow Lover's Bucket List: 33 Things to Do Before You Die [Curbed Ski]