MP3 players for snowboarding

So, you greasy little snowboarder, bain of the skier's life, but infinitely cooler, mainly because you don't have to wear a ludicrous lycra body suit -- what kind of MP3 player is for you this season?

For those who delight in rail-sliding the full length of the Alaska pipeline before transitioning into a perfect backside 540, there is only one player that could hope to match your excess of mad skillz -- the iPod nano. The nano is bulletproof enough to deal with a serious battering on hardpack (entrepreneurs have driven trucks over it), and has enough battery life to last a day on the slopes.

If you must have the latest gear, take a long hard look at Sony's new MP3 stick player. It's a gorgeous design that is the easiest of all these players to integrate into an existing snowboard jacket.

Those who can afford to update their clothing every season should consider the 80GB iPod. Many of this year's major clothing brands have included iPod pockets on their jackets and pants (trousers for the uninitiated). The snowboarders in the last Olympics were renowned for their reliance on the telltale white buds which dispensed Slipknot or, perhaps, Jack Johnson into their talented little ears.

Finally, those who like the idea of tainting the mountain's tranquil beauty with music should check out the Samsung YP-K5. Once you're on the top of the slopes, free from the tyranny of man's constant clatter, you can use its built-in speaker to ruin everything. Happy boarding you dialed-in freaks!