Skiing is an incredible sport. Whether you’re skiing inbounds or outbounds, it’s a fun way to get outside and connect with nature. However, skiing can also be a pain to plan for and a danger if you’re not aware of local snow reports.
Here at Brunton, we’ve previously covered the importance of navigating avalanche terrain in the backcountry with a compass. To expand on that, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite apps that can help keep you safe while exploring the slopes.
1. Powder Project
This app enables you to find more than 800 miles of backcountry, sidecountry, and secret lines. Though you should pack a map on your backcountry expeditions, this app enables you to download area ski trails. Powder Project will also track where you are on a trail, and suggest the best nearby ski lines.
2. Mammut Safety
Staying safe in avalanche terrain is the number one goal when skiing in the backcountry. The Mammut Safety app enables skiers to assess the risk of avalanches in their chosen location by providing data on exposure and slope angle. This app also has the ability to transmit GPS data to a saved number or search and rescue in case of an emergency. A compass is also included.
3. Avalanche Forecasts
Plain and simple: this app is on of the easiest ways to check avalanche danger. It aggregates information from every avalanche center in North America to ensure that backcountry skiers are well-informed of current conditions.
4. Avalanche Inclinometer
Elevation, slope, and the compass aspect of the mountain face are the three main things that backcountry skiers need to account for when skiing in avalanche terrain. Avalanche Inclinometer, also known as Steve’s Badass Avalanche Inclinometer, shows all three of those things simply so that skiers aren’t confused when deciphering the information.
5. Open Snow
Want to know if it’s going to be a powder day before getting on the slopes? Open Snow gives snow forecasts for when you’re planning your ski trip, and snow reports so you know what you’re getting yourself into. This app gathers information from 2,000 mountain locations across the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe.