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Must-Have Monday: Making ski-hill communication a more high-tech affair

Some Canadians are already seeing snow on the ground, while others are just hoping for (or dreading) its imminent arrival. If you're a skier, that first layer of powder can't come soon enough.

For those skiers interested in stepping up their tech on the slopes this year, Hammacher Schlemmer has Voice Communicating Ski Goggles that could be just what you're looking for.

Using a Bluetooth transceiver, these goggles let the wearer communicate with up to six other skiers using the same devices within a 1,600-foot range. According to the product description, the bone conduction microphone built into the ski goggles' frame eliminates the problem of trying to shout into a microphone as the wind whooshes by.

The goggles charge through a USB connection, which provides up to 12 hours of talk time, and has a standard 1/8" headphone jack to accommodate whichever headphones you prefer.

While many skiers already use two-way radios to communicate, these goggles do provide one definite advantage: in addition to communicating with others on the slopes, you can also receive calls on your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone using automatic voice answering through the goggles. They'll also allow you to play music wirelessly, if your phone has that capability.

The goggles are available in black, white or silver frames, and come with a USB charging cable, standard headphones and under helmet headphones.

Who would love it: Avid skiers who are looking for a way to stay connected with their smartphone and their fellow skiers out on the slopes.

How much it costs: $299.95 USD (plus shipping)

Where to get it: Available from Hammacher Schlemmer online, through phone order, or in Hammacher Schlemmer's store in New York City. Note that these goggles aren't part of their "duty free to Canada" section, so you'll likely have to pay an additional charge when the package crosses the border.

Must-Have Monday is a new feature on the Yahoo! Canada News' Right Click blog, where we share a cool gadget each week. We're not paid to endorse any of these — it's just stuff we'd probably buy if someone handed us a pile of money.

Have a suggestion for next week? Contact us on Twitter at @yrightclick.

Visit ca.news.yahoo.com to read a different feature every day.