January 2026. Kiroro Snow World, located in Akaigawa Village, Hokkaido.
Our editorial staff accompanied a video shoot for the Bluetooth intercom "Cardo" at this field, which boasts some of the best powder snow in Japan.
Cardo, which has a top-class market share as a motorcycle intercom, has recently expanded its reach to the ski and snowboard industries.
Here is our editorial staff's feedback after actually using it.
Who is Cardo?
Cardo is an Israeli brand that originally built a global reputation as a motorcycle intercom system. It
is widely recognized in the motorcycle intercom category as a brand that offers high-performance, high-quality products.
For this shoot, we used the PACKTALK OUTDOOR, which incorporates the advanced technology we have cultivated through the development of motorcycle intercoms and was developed for outdoor activities such as skiing and snowboarding
The conditions on the day of the shoot were sometimes strong winds and sometimes heavy snow, making filming difficult, but the test conditions were ideal
Talk while skating. Natural real-time conversations
The first thing I noticed was how natural the calls were.
Real-time communication during filming, such as "Next up from the right" or "There's someone coming from behind," was completed smoothly.
In typical filming, you often have to rely on pre-planning, radio, or gestures, but with Cardo, you can "talk while sliding," so filming proceeds smoothly.
Peace of mind knowing you can stay connected even when you're far away
The long communication range was also impressive.
The official website states a "maximum communication range of 1,000m," but on open slopes without obstructions, it maintained such a stable connection that I felt it could connect even at distances exceeding the official value. Furthermore, the audio rarely cut out even on detours, inclines, or slightly complex terrain, which proved particularly useful when selecting courses during tree runs.
Simultaneous calls feel like you're right in front of them
One of Cardo's key features is its ability to support simultaneous calls with up to 15 people.
With the director, rider, and cameraman all connected, conversations like "That cut is OK" and "Next, shoot from the other side" could be conducted simultaneously. I felt that the reduced "waiting time" for everyone to join and communicate, and the ability to continue the session without interruption, was a huge advantage.
Clear audio without wind noise
In terms of sound quality, I could feel the attention to detail that comes from a brand that started with motorcycle intercoms.
Designed with high-speed riding in mind, the wind noise suppression performance is excellent, and it's reassuring that voices don't get drowned out even at high speeds and are transmitted clearly.
The sound system is also jointly developed with JBL, a company famous for its speakers and earphones, so the sound quality is guaranteed
Cardo's weaknesses revealed through actual use
On the other hand, I'd also like to mention some of my impressions after using it.
The initial group connection setup took a little time, and especially with a large number of people, coordinating the connection timing was necessary, which sometimes caused some inconvenience. It would be best to complete the connection in advance while indoors.
Furthermore, while the device is compact and not heavy at approximately 49.5g, it does have a noticeable visual presence.
Although it won't interfere with your movement or cause any discomfort while skiing, it might be a concern for those who are conscious of their silhouette.
Possibility of changing future "slippage"
Tommy Herman, marketing manager for the outdoor division at Cardo Systems, who we spoke to during a break in filming, said about the future, "Currently, it is being used a lot on the slopes by families and school users, but in the future we would like BC enthusiasts and guides to try it out as well."
What I felt while using Cardo during this interview was that it is not simply a tool that makes conversations smoother
The speed of decision-making, safety, and the intensity of the session—the value of being able to maintain communication that directly impacts all of these aspects while skiing was far greater than I had imagined.
The day when Cardo becomes an essential tool for safe and enjoyable skiing may not be far off.
Information
Archisite Co., Ltd. (Cardo domestic distributor)
5-9 Akihabara, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0006, Japan
Official website:https://archisite.co.jp/products/cardo/outdoor/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cardo_japan/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@cardooutdoor/videos
X:https://x.com/CardoJapan