I'm back from Chamonix! I had a fantastic time, though now I have returned it would appear I caused some sartorial outrage on the slopes.

According to Mags, my school friend and skiing compadre, I looked like I found "modern life abhorrent and detested high-tech, man-made fabrics such as Gore-Tex and Lycra." Which in layman's terms meant my skiwear was out-dated.

So, I have made it my mission to drag my Italian cashmere-plus-fours-and-muskrat-fur-hat-wearing-skiing-self into the 21st century and invest in some kit that is a little more technical and will make me feel like a ski android from the future.

So, for all of you powder junkies, here is my pick of apparel that will keep you looking futuristically ice-cool.

Ski Jacket

This Lighted Pullover Ski Jacket by Victorinox has a RECCO avalanche rescue system which sounds out a signal so that rescuers can find you under the snow. There is also an LED light in the collar, so you can see what's going on while you wait for the St Bernard to arrive. Or indeed, it can help you reapply your lippy in the dark...  

Gloves

The O'Neill H4 Fat Controller Gloves are a handy device - they use radio frequency to control your iPod. That means you can play, pause, adjust the volume and skip tracks while speeding down, or slowly going up, the slopes...all without having to dig around in your pockets or backpack. Though be careful, if you can't hear you can't pick up on super-fast skiers or riders coming from behind, plus you'll miss out if someone shouts "AVALANCHE!". That said, there's nothing quite as cool as carving powder to your own soundtrack...

Ski Googles

The Recon-Zeal Transcent googles are the first in the world to offer a head-mounted display system and GPS capabilities. Thanks to a tiny internal optical system, skiers and snowboarders will now be able to enjoy a projected digital display detailing speed, altitude, distance travelled and a stopwatch, but without impeding their view of the slopes (or, in my case trees and other skiers...).

Watch

Swatch has created the perfect ski accessory to make lost ski passes a thing of the past. The Swatch Snowpass watch has built-in microchip and antenna allowing you access to the ski lifts at over 750 resorts. All you have to do is load your ski pass onto the watch, either at the ski station or online at the resort website and then at the turnstile, simply swipe your watch over the scanner. It will automatically authorise you (it'll even read it through your brand-spanking new Victorinox ski jacket), meaning no more digging around in your pockets or backpack to get yourself onto the ski lifts. Oh and it tells the time too...

Mags certainly can't accuse me of having a fashion meltdown in the snow now...