Wealthy Russian holiday makers are rushing to snap up designer skis encrusted with precious metals.

The ski-mad millionaires think nothing of splashing their cash on sports equipment with Lacroix's gold-and-diamond encrusted Ultime skis currently on sale for over $45,000 and Boheme selling ski equipment made from African ebony.

Lacroixirector Bertrand Roy revealed the global recession is not affecting his clients spending habits, saying: "Even if bling-bling is not quite so much in fashion these days, we've sold a few pairs. One pair was sold to a gentleman from the Middle East."