If you are looking for the best walkie talkie for skiing, then you have come to the right place.
With hundreds of hours research into what makes the best walkie talkie for skiing, also the challenges that skiing presents that walkie talkies solve ( communication problems), we have put together tips and also walkie talkie recommendation for skiing.
Table of Contents
Motorola Talkabout T400 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio
A very popular walkie talkie made by Motorola is the infamous T400 two-way radio.
The Motorola T400 has a solid feel to it when you hold it.
One thing that sets the T400 walkie talkie apart from its competitors, is the USB charging capability that it has, so you can charge this walkie talkie using your android charger.
It is tolerant of cold climate (snow), so you don’t have to worry about breaking it during your skiing trips.
They are also capable to be used with a repeater to extend range, so you can set up a repeater in the area that you will be skiing on.
Pros
Easy to use
Solid
Very clear reception and transmission
Cons
No noticeable drawback
Midland – GXT1000VP4, 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio – Up to 36 Mile Range Walkie Talkie
The Midland GT1000VP4 has been overall one of the best walkie talkie for all category of usage, from cruising, hiking, skiing and other uses.
This walkie talkie meets all the criteria that makes a good walkie talkie for skiing.
The overall appearance of this walkie talkie screams toughness and indeed is.
To be honest, range of up to 5 miles in the woods (should be expected), this should give you enough range for skiing (unobstructed line of sight, should give you more range [36 miles]).
Battery life of up to 11 hours, should give you a lot of time to enjoy skiing while keeping in communication with team members.
This two-way radio, can fall into a puddle and not get damaged because it is water proof.
Pros
ease of use
great battery life
durable
Water proof
Cons
Takes a long time to charge
Check out price on Amazon
Arcshell Rechargeable Long-Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 4 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery
This one has also been a best seller in its category because most users have been satisfied with it and has since then boosted its sale.
This arcshell walkie talkie is small and convenient in size.
In terms of range, this device will get you up to 5 miles in terrains and 10 – 20 miles in clear line of sight.
It is water resistant and should work fine even if splashed with water.
The sound that comes out of its speaker is loud and clear, this should be a good choice for outdoor activities.
Best of all, it is really affordable.
Pros
Small and convenient size
Easy to assemble
Cons
No noticeable drawbacks except that the instruction booklet is lacking.
Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkies Rechargeable Two Way Radios FRS/GMRS 16-Channel UHF 2-Way Radio
Ansoko walkie talkies are very solid and durable, you can drop them hard on the ground and it won’t break (not easily).
They have a surprisingly clear and loud sound output from the speaker.
A challenge that two-way radio users face is having to hold onto large walkie talkies, well, the size of this one is greatly reduced to help with the ease of handling.
The LED light it has is what the others do not have, this could be useful for maybe when its dark and you want to use it as a flash light.
Pros
Clear and loud
Easy to use
Durable
Cons
belt clips are flimsy and breaks easily
Check out price on Amazon
Verdict
All of the walkie talkies that I have written about above is the best in the category of two-way radios for skiing.
So, if you are planning to get a walkie talkie for skiing, then pick one from the above.
But in our opinion, the Motorola T400 surpassed them all in terms of range, performance and especially since it can be charged using a standard USB cable and because it can be used with a repeater.
It also has a simplistic design with a solid feel to it.
Check out the Motorola T400 price on Amazon
Things to consider when buying a walkie talkie for skiing
Skiing can come with all sorts problems especially if you are beginner at skiing, when out skiing, you will need a good communications device this will keep you from being separated out there in the woods,
A good walkie talkie will keep you in contact between parties and persons, whether it be family, friends or coworkers.
And also, in an event where you will need emergency evacuation, you can also contact people within the vicinity.
Bad weather can also be a hazard to skiers, modern walkie talkies come with a feature that lets you receive weather update in your area, this should help you stay out of bad weather.
Experienced skiers will tell you to stay out of storms, a walkie talkie with the NOAA weather update will help you with that.
Range:
A walkie talkie with a good range should be on your list, something that will let you keep in contact for up to 5 miles.
Although you are not going to be separated for more than 1 mile with your skiing partners, it is still best to get a walkie talkie with the farthest range possible for safety reasons.
Good battery life:
A walkie talkie with a battery life of at least 8 hours and a standby time of 12 hours on full use should be good.
Mic and Headphone jacks
When skiing, simply plug on the earpiece and use it without having to hold the walkie talkie, pick a walkie talkie that has mic and earpiece connection.
NOAA weather alert
This feature is a must have if you are looking for the best walkie talkie for skiing.
NOAA weather alert is a series of regular alerts that the US government weather branch sends out to different areas, walkie talkies with this feature will pick up these weather alerts (it should help you stay out of bad weather)
Weight/Size:
It is preferred that you get yourself a walkie talkie that is not too bulky or heavy, something that with good performance, is also small in size and is also light weight.
Weather proof:
Since you will be exposing yourself to the elements, during the ski, get a walkie talkie that is water proof or water resistant at least.
Price:
I recommend that you spend your money buying a high-end product as a good walkie talkie device will keep you in communications and will also be a life saver in times of emergencies.