Ski Gadgets and Apps - Convenience Safety, and Fun

A look at some of the handheld gadgets that have applications in skiing.

By Robert Gagnon

How many miles do you ski in a day? How many vertical feet? Finding out where you are in the mountain or your way out is becoming easier with all the new gadgets and applications for devices like the iPhone.

You can rent or buy devices, or download applications for your iPhone. Depending on your budget and the reason you want this information you can find the right tool or toy for you. I have tracked few for you.

The first one is the Slope Tracker. It works with a GPS (Global Positioning System) in a small armband that you keep with you all day.  You can rent the device at certain mountains and at the end of the day when you return the Slope Tracker they give you a poster-quality ready to print to keep with you as a souvenir.  Here’s a partial list of mountains where you can get one.

Deer Valley         Hafjell

Park City             Yellowstone Club

Telluride             Sunshine Village Banff

Keystone            Winter Park Resort

Copper Mountain and more.

You can also buy the device put it on for the day and download the data at the end of the day.  You will be able to compare your stats, improve your performance and see your progress during the season. You will be able to see your top speed, the distance that you have traveled during the day or overall in your season, how many vertical feet done, the calories burned , the number of runs with their details and be able to compare with other users on the website.

Satsports

One of the most interesting devices you can get is with Satsports.  The Multi-sports GPS is great for tracking your ski trip. You can get all the statistics about the vertical done, highest speed reached, distance skied but you can also have a total 3D version on Google earth of your day. The Flyover function allows you to see your runs and chairlifts you have ridden during the day. You can show your friends what it’s like to spend a day on the mountain with you. The device can help you navigate from point to point in the mountain. The multi-sports GPS from Satsports will show you the best route to the chairlift.

Satski from Satports is another app that has additional ski related features.  You will be able to get information about the resorts, restaurants, bars, ski school and other useful info. The GPRS ski software is a great feature. This app allows you to be able to track your friends or family anywhere in the mountain. Imagine letting the kids ski in the mountain by themselves and knowing where they are at any time. In the case of emergency you have a direct contact on the device to get help and the exact location. You can take pictures with the Satski and determine the time and location you took it during the day.  The app is available on Windows Mobile and Android platforms.

We can't talk about gadgets and technology without talking about the iPhone. The iPhone offers many applications to help you find out your present location via GPS, ski conditions or the ski report for the next days.  Ski Report will find your location with the GPS system and find the mountain near your location and give you the latest update on the ski conditions and weather. It offers functions like powder point and gives you the last update on the snow precipitation near you. The “nearby” function will give you the distance in miles from your present location to the resorts in your vicinity.

Another useful function for travelers is View2ski. This iPhone application gives you access to the last view from the webcams on the mountains. You select the country, the ski resort and the webcam of your choice anywhere in the mountain. The app covers more than 20 countries.

itrail Map is another application you can get free on your iPhone.  You download the maps of your choice of 750 ski resorts on your iPhone. This application can work without network service. It is downloaded directly in the phone. For a better view of the mountain you can purchase the 3D version. The 3D version will totally change your experience in the mountain with more details.

There are many other applications you can find for the iPhone and other devices. Some of them are better than others.  Try many of the application free in the application store from iTunes.  Real GPS devices are more precise than any iPhone application for the moment. Have fun and compare your stats with your friends.

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