Garmin the global leader in satellite navigation turns its expertise to snowsports to deliver the new must-have item for the slopes as it announces a series of GPS devices and a range of activities geared toward the snowsports enthusiast.
Demonstrating that it is not solely the performance-driven that benefit from the value Garmin adds to sport, the wrist-worn Foretrex® 401 is set to provide millions of recreational skiers and snowboarders with the fundamental statistics that they have long craved; how high, how far and how fast did we go today? Of course, this sophisticated, waterproof device is packed with extensive capabilities for the more inquisitive, but its simplicity makes it possible for everybody to get more from their time on the slopes.
Foretrex 401
To put the Foretrex 401 onto the wrists of typical enthusiasts, Garmin has joined forces with 10 specialist chalet operators around the Alps to form official Garmin Test Centres, offering guests the opportunity to test-drive the latest GPS technology. At the end of the day, guests simply upload the day’s data, or ‘tracklog’, at Garmin Connect to review their movements and statistics including highest speed, total descent, total ascent, maximum elevation, total distance and much, much more.
To foster the competitive spirit that will no doubt arise, Garmin has created a season’s league table at Garmin Snow Club to champion the persons that travel the fastest, the furthest, and the greatest descent. The victorious not only secure bragging rights for the year, but are then in with a chance of winning a week’s winter holiday at one of the Garmin Test Centres.
In addition, the Garmin Downhill Challenge will be making its presence felt at The BRITS Snow & Music Festival, which hosts the British Snowboard & Freeski Championships in Switzerland from 21st – 28th March. Throughout the week revellers will charge the slopes to register a fastest time to be displayed upon the Garmin Leader board positioned centre stage of the Apres Arena. The Garmin Downhill Challenge is destined to spark post-slope boasting and debate and perfectly complements the en-masse downhill at the end of the week, Red Bull Homerun, which witnesses 300+ competitors racing simultaneously from the top of the mountain to the bottom… organized chaos. The winner of the Garmin Downhill Challenge will naturally win a trip to The BRITS 2011 to defend their crown.
Finally, spearheading the snowsports campaign are two guys that uphold Garmin’s pursuit of innovation and adventure in BBC Ski Sunday presenters and Garmin ambassadors Ed Leigh and Graham Bell. Regular Ski Sunday viewers will have noticed a recent product review of the Foretrex 401 on the show. Follow Ed’s and Graham’s travels around the world at Garmin Snow Club including fly-through visuals of Graham’s World Cup Downhill runs and both of their exploits at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
“Snow sports offered up an exciting proposition for Garmin, which required a shift in our approach for a sport that’s mass focus is recreational,” said Chris Merrell, Garmin’s Marketing Communications Manager. “And we are strong in the belief that Garmin can, and will, add value to every snow enthusiast, both in their on-piste activities and off-piste discussions. GPS adds fun as well as safety to your snow activities.”
Both Garmin devices are available at all Snow + Rock and Ellis Brigham stores nationwide, where a purchase in-store or online holds the added benefit of entry into the prize draw for an all expenses paid trip for 2 to The BRITS 2010 Festival and the opportunity to take on the Garmin Downhill Challenge.
Foretrex® 401 – SRP £199.99
DakotaTM 20 – SRP £279.99
www.garminsnowclub.co.uk
