Tech supremacy on the slopes; Whistler's new ski app vs Vail's EpicMix

Each ski season there seems to be a new gadget, app or must have piece of technology. For several years we’ve reviewed the best mobile ski apps (read this year’s iPhone app review) and, whilst they steadily improve year on year, Whistler and Vail are leading the way for the 2011-12 season.

Whether it’s tracking the distance you’ve covered, the vertical feet you’ve dropped, the lifts or restaurants you’ve been in or even sharing  photos from the mountain on facebook and twitter (with Epic Mix); surely this is the future of a new digital skiing experience.

This is Whistler’s mobile app Vs. Vail’s EpicMix. 

What is EpicMix – Vail Resorts

The EpicPass, that was rolled out several seasons ago, allows each visitor to ski or snowboard any one of their 6 resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar). That’s a lot of terrain and, from this Epic experience, the EpicPass was borne…

Hungry for more EpicMix followed which collated all your stats and recorded your journey across the mountain with the use of some very clever technology. And for 2011-12, Vail have gone a step further adding EpicPhoto, allowing users to add photos taken on the mountain to your EpicMix account.

The team behind EpicMix have photographers all over each of the 6 mountains snapping away – and with a swipe of your list pass (using some rather cool near field technology so you don’t even get your hands cold!) your photos get added to your online EpicMix account. This will combine all your on-piste photos with key stats such as vertical feet, mountains skied and lifts taken. There are also badges to collect which you can pick up for achieving key mile stones as you cover as much terrain as you can. There’s even a leader board for the super competitive amongst you.

Of course it’s all hooked up to the major social media platforms, so once you’ve connected it with your facebook and/or twitter accounts, EpicMix can auto post your updates on the mountain to your friends, including your photos – as they’re taken.  This then all combines into a single picture file or “jpeg” creating a completely one-of-a-kind Remix collage. Here’s an example:

What’s even better is that EpicMix, the photos (low res versions) and online account is all free. If you’re set to use it this season please come back and less us know what you think either by leaving a message or comment below of by joining in the conversation on facebook and twitter.

Visit Vail holidays for more information about skiing in Vail this season.

Whistler Blackcomb Live (mobile app)

Not wanting to be out done in the technology stakes Whistler Blackcomb have launched a brand new app called Whistler Blackcomb live for 2011-12. With the weather pattern La Niña set to return (that led to record snowfalls last season – Whistler had over 15m!) it promises to be another mind blowing season.

Available on both Android phones and the iPhone, the free app allows skiers and riders to track their runs using GPS, view trail maps, track the total vertical and distance they have travelled and clock their maximum speed. The app also allows easy sharing of the key stats, as well as photos, with friends on both Twitter and Facebook. There will also be a Lite version of the app with no GPS tracking capabilities will also be available for download on any mobile device this season.

For more information visit: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/app

For more information about skiing in Whistler Blackcomb this winter visit Crystal Ski.