Virtual realiski
Shape- changing skis and snowboards, voiceactivated fastenings on boots, virtual- reality ( VR) pistes and electronic clothes heated by solar power…
Welcome to the winter sports holiday of the 2030s.
Technological advancements on the slopes in future decades may also mean human and artificial intelligence (AI) are merged so that skiers use special VR goggles or active contact lenses to enhance the natural scenery.
Or they might not even go to an actual ski resort, instead using VR holodeck simulators to generate the same experiences as real runs as they feel the digital piste under them. By the 2050s, active skin connections could send skiing sensations direct to the nervous system. Similarly, the sim technology could be used to try out a ski resort before choosing a holiday.
The possible trends in winter sports are revealed in Club Med’s annual Evolution of the Ski Market report, compiled with London-based futurologist Dr Ian Pearson. It also predicts drones could accompany each skier, videoing or photographing them all day and relaying highlights automatically on to their social-media feeds, while robot chefs and butlers will be on hand in chalets and hotels.
UK Club Med chief Estelle Girardeau said: “We’ll be thinking about how we can better design our resorts to accommodate for these technological advancements.’’
Club Med says booking patterns reveal that nearly six out of 10 (59 per cent) skiers and snowboarders booked two or more trips in the past year, and value- for- money and all- inclusives are key, alongside guaranteed snow conditions.
Skiing is also seen as beneficial for our health and wellbeing, with 89 per cent of people saying a winter sports break has a positive impact on their mental health.
The report reveals that the French Alps are the most popular destinations for Brits this winter, with a third (33%) booking there, ahead of Switzerland (28%), Austria (20%), Italy ( 14%), Canada ( 12%), USA (10%) and Japan (6%).
Full report at clubmed.co.uk/reports/ski-report-2020 .