Seven of the best mobile apps to use while skiing

A good app can transform your ski experience. Tim Baker has the lowdown on the very best

1. SkiLynx

SkiLynx allows you to monitor (read: stalk) your friends while you are on the mountain.

Although it is designed to work with the Apple Watch, the app also works perfectly well with an iPhone. It helps you keep track of your position and locate your friends who are also using the app, and lets you chat with them in just one glove-friendly tap.

Another winning feature is its ability to pinpoint your location on the mountain. It can tell you the lift you are in and whether you are travelling uphill or downhill (although hopefully you have the wherewithal to realise that on your own!).

Whether it’s a short ski break via iGoski or a longer holiday, this app can let you enjoy the best possible ski experience. At the moment, the app is used in California resorts but there are plans for expansion to other resorts. Download it on iTunes and Google Play.

2. Trace Snow

Although Trace Snow can be used and downloaded for free, the app is unique because it comes with an integrated wearable product. Available for $199, the hockey puck shaped GPS device can be attached to a ski or snowboard.

It also comes with unmatched location data and auto editing of GoPro footage. Anything else? It has the capability to measure airtime, height, and jump distance — very nifty! The app is available in iTunes and Google Play.

3. OpenSnow

Powderhounds: this is the app for you! OpenSnow makes it easy to keep track of where the best conditions will be, thanks to its ability to forecast, report, and access mountain webcams. Best of all, you can use it to find and compare resorts with the most powder at the touch of button.

Paid membership gives you access to more features such as custom alerts and longer forecast range. Get the app in iTunes and Google Play.

4. EpicMix

EpicMix is an app developed by Vail Resorts for use in their ever-growing collection of ski areas. It comes with various features such as stats tracking, a race leaderboard and challenges, to name just a few. Handier still, the app can provide you with crowdsourced wait times for lift queues.

EpicMix will debut at Vail Resort’s Colorado ski areas, and will feature 55 core lifts and gondolas.  You can download the app on iTunes and Google Play.

5. AvaNet

Developed by Avatech, which also creates professional avalanche tools, Avanet offers first-hand information from other skiers and riders regarding route planning and decisions.

Aside from route planning, Avanet is also designed to estimate different metrics such as time and allows sharing of routes among companions. It also allows users to compare actual performance and route estimates. With geo-tagged date from other skiers, you can draw no-go zones on terrain maps that come with the app.

You can download the app on iTunes.

6. Liftopia

Liftopia is one of the best apps for finding lift ticket deals, with over 200,000 tickets and passes on offer. You can also use it to book lodging, monitor the mountain, and purchase lift tickets, as well as finding deals on ski lessons.

The app is available for download on iTunes.

7. Snocru

Snocru is a social app that can help you make the best out of your skiing holiday. Users of the app can set up a DAYCRU of fellow skiers and snowboarders so you can easily locate and communicate with them.

It also promotes healthy competition by recording various metrics like vertical feet travelled, fastest speed, or most runs per day, for each member. 

Download the app on iTunes and Google Play.