Long time satellite navigation experts Garmin are focusing specifically on snow sports with a range of new GPS devices along with a range of activities geared toward the snow sports enthusiast.

The company’s wrist-worn, waterproof Foretrex 401 can provide recreational skiers and boarders with the fundamental stats for their day on the slopes; how high, how far and how fast did I go today?

Garmin has joined forces with 10 specialist chalet operators around the Alps to form official Garmin Test Centres, offering guests the opportunity to ‘test-drive’ their latest GPS technology. At the end of the day, guests simply upload the day’s data, or ‘tracklog’, at Garmin Connect to review their movements and statistics including highest speed, total descent, total ascent, maximum elevation, total distance and much more.

To foster the competitive spirit, Garmin has also created a season’s league table at www.garminsnowclub.co.uk where those that travel the fastest, the furthest, and make the greatest descent will top the leader board. The victorious not only secure bragging rights for the year, but are then in with a chance of winning a week’s winter holiday at one of the Garmin Test Centres.

In addition, the Garmin Downhill Challenge will be making its presence felt at The Brits Snow and Music Festival, which hosts the British Snowboard & Freeski Championships in Switzerland from 21st – 28th March.

Throughout the week revellers will charge the slopes to register a fastest time to be displayed upon the Garmin Leader board positioned centre stage of the Apres Arena. The Garmin Downhill Challenge is destined to spark post-slope boasting and debate and perfectly complements the en-masse downhill at the end of the week, Red Bull Homerun, which witnesses 300+ competitors racing simultaneously from the top of the mountain to the bottom… organized chaos. The winner of the Garmin Downhill Challenge will naturally win a trip to The BRITS 2011 to defend their crown.

“Snow sports offered up an exciting proposition for Garmin, which required a shift in our approach for a sport that’s mass focus is recreational,” said Chris Merrell, Garmin’s Marketing Communications Manager. “GPS adds fun as well as safety to your snow activities.”

Garmin devices are available at all Snow + Rock and Ellis Brigham stores nationwide, where a purchase in-store or online holds the added benefit of entry into the prize draw for an all expenses paid trip for 2 to The Brits 2010 Festival and the opportunity to take on the Garmin Downhill Challenge. The Foretrex 401 retails at £199.9