Share

Skiing

ThrustMe | This Fan-Powered Backpack Means You Can Ski Up The Piste

Is this battery-powered invention going to make chairlifts redundant...?

What’s the worst part of skiing or snowboarding (particularly the latter)? The flat bits, obviously, and the bits when you’re not skiing or snowboarding, like the chairlift.

Well, if you agree with that statement then your life might just be about to become a hell of a lot better. ThrustMe, while sounding like some kind of self-operated sex toy, have invented a backpack that literally propels you up pistes and across flats, potentially putting an end to the need for chairlifts.

Pre-orders for the ThrustMe – wow, the name doesn’t get any better – have already started retailing at around £3830, and the first 200 are said to be ready for delivery by winter 2017.

The backpack runs on rechargeable batteries and is powered by an electro fan. It weighs in at 10 kg, but crucially only lasts for 15-30 minutes on average use at the moment, with a recharge time of six hours needed for that full max.

It’s one hell of a concept though and something you can definitely imagine becoming slowly more common on the slopes. If Apple bring one out, it’ll probably be everywhere by the weekend.

ThrustMe say: “THRUSTME is a product designed primarily for skiing, but can also be used for several other activities such as cycling, skating, skateboarding, snowboarding, paragliding and more.”

The Norweigan invention lists the following information on its website about the details of the product:

  • Energy source:   Rechargeable batteries with docking system.
  • Engines:               Electro Fan
  • Thrust :                ~ 300N / 30 kg
  • Weight:               ~10 kg
  • Usable time :      ~15-30 min on average use
  • Top Speed:           ~80 km/t on level ground
  • Charging  time : ~6 hours
  • User age :              16 years
  • Throttle control : 4 Ghz Wireless speed controller
  • Extras:                    Battery packs
  • Price in Norway : 39.900,- inkluded  25% Norwegian VAT
  • Price in EURO: 3.640,-  From current NOK

You May Also Like

Watch Xavier de la Rue Go Snowboarding on a Volcano 

106-Year-Old Skier Lou Batori Filmed Skiing At Crystal Mountain Resort In Michigan

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production