Eye On Weather: New Ski Technology Brings Heated Chairlifts, Moldable Boots
LUDLOW, Vt. (CBS) - It's amazing just how cutting-edge skiing has become.
From helmets to ski lifts, it seems there's new technology around every twist and turn.
Read: More 'Eye On Weather' Features
We went to Vermont and New Hampshire recently to see what's new at the ski shop and on the trails.
"The latest in boot technology the last couple years, the hot boot has been Salomon, with their new custom shell," John Maurice of Buchika's Ski and Bike Shop in Salem, N.H. told WBZ-TV.
It's heated up in an oven for 12 minutes and then it conforms to the exact shape of the person's foot.
"Afterwards, we wrap it with freezer packs. And the freezer packs will make that plastic stay in that exact shape. That combined with a heat moldable custom liner, the tongues are molded right up into the shape of the shin bone," he said.
There are also state-of-the-art bindings.
"It's a high performance binding - knee binding," Maurice said. "They're actually made up in Stow, Vermont. And its knee bindings are the only bindings proven to help reduce knee injuries."
Helmets have also come a long way and they're much safer.
"There is a layer in this helmet that can spin independently from the rest of the helmet. So if you get into what they call an angled impact, this spins ever so slightly and it lessens to a large degree the shockwave that goes into your brain," he said.
Outside, the chair lifts at Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont are so new, they're the only ones you'll find in North America.
Each is equipped with heated seats for six skiers, foot rests and an orange dome to protect them from the harsh weather.
This unique lift can transport 3,000 people an hour!
Of course, none of this matters if you don't have quality snow.
The snowmaking technology has come a long way.
"The goal is to be able to achieve that high quality snow surface, Mark Horton of HKD Snowmakers told WBZ.
"And the balance is finding that point where you're using as little air as possible but still achieving a very good snow quality. So that's what we're all here for is to ski this great snow."
Horton said they're always trying to strike a balance between energy efficiency and creating the lightest, fluffiest snow possible.
Follow Barry on Twitter @BarryWBZ