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Phew! What a relief.....Ski-thru loo arrives on the piste!

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Chamonix Editor Updated

Skiers who get caught short on the slopes can keep their skis on following the invention of a new 'ski-through loo'.

The toilet, created by Austrian ski lift operator Johann Berger, 55, from St Jakob in Styria allows users to ski directly into the cubicle, before skiing out the other side back onto the slopes.

"It's based on the drive-through concept, but with skis," explained Berger. "We've laid down a special low friction carpet and implemented a one-way system to avoid collisions."

He added: "The toilet was originally meant for children. Every ski instructor is well aware of the problem; 10 minutes after the lesson begins 17 out of 20 children need to go to the toilet. "This will help solve the problem a lot faster, and is also ideal for adults too."

Berger says the 'ski-through loo' is the first toilet designed for use while wearing skis and hopes the system will take off around the country.

Time will tell if this idea proves more popular than "The Whizz" (Whizaway.com) - a soft plastic external device, launched a couple of years ago that "allows women to pee standing up"! This re-usable product is "small enough to keep in your pocket and you can then pop it in the wash with the rest of your laundry". Let's be honest, it's not something I'd like mingling around with my lip balm and hot chocolate money!