Smart slopes: 5 high-tech ways to level up your Utah ski weekend

SALT LAKE CITY — With the Sundance Film Festival kicking off in Park City this week, Utah's canyons are about to take center stage. But as every local knows, a "perfect" ski day can quickly turn into a struggle with flat light, crowded trails and the dreaded "where is my group?" text chain.

As we head into the heart of the 2026 season, a new wave of mountain tech is hitting the Wasatch. From AI coaches that live in your boots to goggles that "see" through blizzards, here are five ways to upgrade the mountain experience.

1. The fog-killer: Provuu XR goggles

We've all been there: a sudden whiteout at the top of Hidden Peak makes the terrain look like the inside of a ping-pong ball. While traditional goggles rely on tinted lenses, Provuu uses a patented approach called View-XR™ to digitalize the slope.

• The tech: The goggles use high-definition 3D cameras and internal AR displays to show visibility details the human eye can't naturally process. Provuu Co-founder Gabriel Iobbi told KSL that "while traditional goggles are limited by a person's eyesight, their sensors capture data with greater sensitivity than natural vision. "It allows for the enhanced video to be seen in real-time ... almost like giving you super-vision on the slopes," Iobbi said.
• The impact: Testing has shown a 75% increase in contrast and a visual range up to five times further than the naked eye in a blizzard.
• The Utah link: For the "Silicon Slopes" crowd heading to Park City, Iobbi has a clear message: "See what you've been missing — built for total visibility even in a total whiteout."

2. The digital sensei: Carv 2 AI coach

Ski lessons are a holiday weekend luxury, but Carv 2 provides pro-level feedback without the lodge-priced tuition.

• The tech: This 2026 model has ditched the old boot inserts for a simple sensor that clips onto your power strap. It uses a proprietary AI algorithm to analyze your balance, turn shape, and carve angle 400 times per second.
• The Utah link: The new "all-terrain" tech automatically detects the snow surface underfoot. Whether you're navigating the groomed runs at Deer Valley or the moguls at Mary Jane, the audio coaching in your ear adapts to the terrain in real-time.

3. The "bionic" legs: Ascentiz modular exoskeleton

For those who want to skip the "day-after" leg soreness, the Ascentiz H1/K1 is bringing wearable robotics to the ski lift.

• The tech: This modular system weighs about 4 pounds and uses an "AI MotionEngine" to sense your movements in under 500 milliseconds. The "K-Module" acts as a built-in shock absorber, offloading up to 216 pounds of impact pressure from your knees.
• The Utah link: It's a game-changer for "weekend warriors" who want to keep up with their kids across the 7,300 acres of Park City Mountain Resort without the usual knee fatigue.

4. The group link: Cardo Packtalk outdoor

Cell service is notoriously spotty in the trees of Solitude or the bowls of Snowbird. The Cardo Packtalk uses dynamic mesh technology to keep your group connected without a signal.

• The tech: This helmet-mounted intercom allows up to 15 people to talk in a constant, hands-free "always-on" loop. It's not a walkie-talkie—you just talk naturally, and the JBL-powered speakers ensure you can hear over the wind.
• The Utah link: No more losing your friends in the trees. The mesh network reaches up to 3 miles across a full group, making it the ultimate tool for families navigating the holiday crowds.

5. Local innovation: Pret Cirque X helmet

Technology isn't always about batteries; sometimes it's about better engineering. Pret, a company based in Park City, is leading the way in helmet safety.

• The Tech: Their flagship Cirque X helmet features an "active venting" system that allows riders to "dump heat" during a hike to Fantasy Ridge or seal it tight for a frigid chairlift ride in a storm.
• The Wasatch factor: For Pret CEO Mark Cavanaugh, the local mountains are more than just a backdrop — they are a necessity for design. "Utah is the ultimate proving ground for our helmets," Cavanaugh told KSL. "If a helmet performs well in the Wasatch mountains, it performs well anywhere. We test in the same conditions as our customers ski — bluebird days, variable snow, and cold mornings that turn warm by midday. Living where we design keeps us honest."
• The Utah link: Supporting a brand that designs and tests its gear right in our backyard is a point of pride for many local riders, especially as Park City prepares for the global spotlight of Sundance.

The final run

Whether you're in town for the films or the fresh powder, this season's tech is making the mountain safer and more connected. As Park City prepares for the Sundance spotlight on Jan. 22, there's never been a better time to see how the "Silicon Slopes" are changing the way we play in the snow.

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