One of the pleasures of ski writing is getting to tell you about cool snow toys. That perfect down jacket, those elegant new skis, the underwear that really keeps you warm...

One of the frustrations of ski writing is NOT getting to tell you about cool toys that operate off snow. Hey, it’s December — let’s break a rule or two. Here's what's useful, innovative and/or just plain fun but which doesn't involve actual sliding down mountains.

Let’s start with image-makers. Skiers need cameras and camcorders that are compact, rugged, can shoot in weird light and are able to survive the occasional dip in wet snow. I've found one of each that fits the bill.

Cannon 990 IS: The camera is Canon’s 990 IS. It comes with a big 14.7 megapixels and a long 3.7 optical zoom. It’s way tougher than most digitals. It has a viewfinder, essential for snowy or sunshiny shooting. It’s got Quick Mode for fast action. And, just for fun, it comes in retro black. Around $400. canonusa.com

The Flip Mino HD camcorder has the Three Esses: small, simple and sheep. No, make that ‘cheap.’ It’s smaller than 2 x 4 inches, so it fits in your pocket. With one (1) button, it’s as simple as taking a photo. And it costs about 230 Yankee dollars at theflip.com.

To keep your gizmos going, consider two items. One is the: Solio portable solar charger, which steals power from the sun to charge up your electronic gear. The other is the Powerstick, which gets its juice from your computer. The Solio goes for about $100 and up at solio.com. The Powerstick costs $US60 at powerstick.com.

Boots. Not ski boots — getting-to-the-ski-hill boots. What I want in a hiking boot is lightweight support, solid traction in the wet, breathability and, of course, comfort. The Vasque Breeze with Gore-Tex lining met all these criteria, and it’s cheap, to, uh, boot. Google “Vasque Breeze” to find the best price. Or, FoMoInfo, go to vasque.com.

If you're like me, you need more arch support than most boots offer. No worries — SUPERfeet makes insoles for almost every need, including the REDhot, designed for cold-weather comfort. superfeet.com

Not long ago, I read a glowing review of the Braun Series 7 electric razor that claimed the impossible: It shaved as close as a blade. Turns out, that was impossible, but it’s still the best-designed electric ever — and one of the best for travel, too. If you look up “good design” in the dictionary, the Series 7 is there, right behind the iMac and iPod. braun.com

Speaking of Apple, if you travel with a computer, you won't do better than the MacBook Pro — LAST year’s MacBook Pro. It has what the new model lacks — a matte screen and a FireWire 400 port. Plus, you can get it at a rare bargain price. Save big bucks at apple.com and elsewhere.

All this to-ing and fro-ing is thirsty work. That’s why the Camelbak Better Bottle is a great stocking-stuffer. It’s BPA-free, spillproof, easy to access, clips to a carabiner, and is, well, kinda cool. Oh, and you can toss it in the dishwasher. Under $15. camelbak.com

And finally, for your over-45 friend. Clic makes a ski goggle, but this is about off-piste prezzies, so also check out their Clic Readers, a.k.a. reading glasses. You could say they're a real clic magnet. Or not. Either way, they're always around your neck, so searching and cursing are things of the past. And the black model is made for Big Heads — the stems are extra long. Around $40 from clic.com.

— Jules Older