So, how well do GPS receivers and GPS radios work at ski resorts?
To find out, we took the family to a number of Utah ski resorts and brought along a handheld GPS receiver (Garmin 76cs) and six Rino 520HCx GPS radios. We used them with the standard basemap and then with StoneMaps Ski Resort GPS maps. Overall, all the GPS units worked very well and the GPS radios helped us to keep our more advanced skiers in touch with our more novice skiers. We had more fun and maximized our time by knowing where we were and how to get to where we wanted to be.
Standard basemap v. StoneMaps GPS map
The standard basemaps that come with the GPS units contain absolutely no information about the ski resorts. This was not surprising to us since GPS data of ski resorts has not been readily available until StoneMaps started providing it.
Skiing by GPS adds a whole new dimension to the sport. Every ski resort provides paper maps for their customers, however, the trick has always been finding your current location on the map. With StoneMaps software on your GPS, you instantly see:
- where you are on the map
- the location and difficulty of the various runs
- the location and capacity of all lifts
- mountain patrol stations
- restrooms
- access gates
- on-site roads and parking lots
- photo sites
Our family have been long time skiers. We can imagine that if you are visiting a resort for the first time or are unfamiliar with the territory, then having a digital map of the resort would be extremely helpful. We were quite familiar with the terrain at the two ski resorts we visited, having skied at them a number of times, and we were pleasantly surprised with the advantages of using StoneMaps. One of our group took off into fresh powder in the trees and was able to see exactly where she was and how to connect with the desired run. The paper maps are artists renditions of the resort and can not always show reality. With an accurate digital map, we found new places to ski that we never knew existed! Finally, at the end of the day we download our travels into the computer and relived our day on the mountain.
The GPS receivers seemed to be more accurate at the ski resorts than in the city. We attribute this to the wide open sky that allows reception from more satellites. The GPS units faithfully tracked our location throughout the day as long as we stayed outdoors.
Rino 520HCx GPS radios
The Rino GPS radios work very well and kept us in contact throughout the day. The Rino GPS units have all the features of a high end FRS / GMRS radio so you can talk to each other walkie-talkie style. They are also waterproof, which is a necessity at a ski resort where you need to be able to use them in inclement weather such as snow, or heaven forbid, slush and rain. They also have a back light which is essential when night skiing.
Of course the Rinos also have a built in GPS receiver that can accept downloaded maps. With the StoneMaps ski resort GPS map, we could see exactly where we were throughout the day. The screen is full color and due to the size constraints on the radio, is a little smaller than some other GPS units. However, the resolution is very high and the images are crisp.
 The most amazing feature of the Rino GPS units is the ability to not only see where you are, but also the location of others in your party. Garmin calls this “location polling” and here is how it works. You first set all the radios to the same channel and squelch code at the beginning of the day. Next, you broadcast on Radio 1 by pushing the talk button. All the other radios see that a Rino is broadcasting and each of the other radios ask if you want to add Radio 1 to your list of contacts. You do the same on Radio 2 and so on. Once all the radios are in each list of contacts, then any of the radios can "ping" any other radio and ask it where it is by pushing the page button. You can even give each radio a name and a unique icon. When you look at your map, you can see the name and icon displaying the last known location of that particular radio.
At one of the resorts, my daughter and I were skiing together. On the way up the lift we were discussing which run we would go on next. We discussed a number of options, but didn't really settle on one. When we got off the lift, I stopped to snap a photograph of a fantastic view of the Utah mountains. When I turned around, I didn't see my daughter. Where did she go? There were at least three different options we had discussed. I used my GPS radio to contact her and ask where she went. She didn't know the name of the run she took, but I was able to use location polling and see that she was half way down one of the options that we had discussed on the lift. I followed and expected to see her waiting at the bottom of the next lift, but she wasn't there. Did she go up the lift or keep going down the run? I used my GPS radio again and saw that she was now on her way toward the next lift in the canyon. I eventually overtook her after checking a couple of times to insure she didn't go up a different lift or branch off on another run. If I hadn't had the GPS radios with us, it is likely we would have been separated until we met back at the car at the end of the day.
I was skiing with my two younger daughters at the Sundance ski resort on New Years day. There was a snow storm the previous evening and we arrived on the slopes to find deep, fluffy powder - the type of snow that makes Utah such a great place to ski. We were having an excellent time skiing through the trees when my youngest daughter wiped out, lost her ski, and was having difficulty getting it back on. My older daughter and I were lower on the hill and unable to climb back up to help out. After five minutes of frustration on her part, I told my younger daughter that I would ski down to the lift, ride back up, and ski back down to help her out. Meanwhile, her older sister would stay with her to offer encouragement. I rode the Arrowhead lift to the top and as I was skiing back down the run, my daughters contacted me on the radio to say that the ski was back on and that they were now at the bottom of the lift. I told them to go ahead and hop on the lift and that I would meet them at the top of Arrowhead. Using my GPS radio, I was able to watch them as they rode up the lift. It was then that I realized that they had not taken the Arrowhead lift, but had skied further down the run to the Flathead lift. Without the GPS radios and StoneMaps software, we would have been separated and wasted quite a bit of time trying to regroup.
We tested the Rino GPS units using the FRS (lower power) radio and the range was fair provided that they are used properly. The GMRS (higher power) setting requires an additional license to use, but dramatically increases your range (Garmin claims up to 14 miles line of sight). It is definitely worth getting the GMRS license and using the higher power. The main thing to remember is that handheld radios operate best when the parties do not have obstructions between them. We found that the radios work best when used at the top of lifts or on mountain ridges where the radio signal can travel a long way without obstruction. No FRS or GMRS radio will work if both parties are in deep canyons with a mountain between them.
Summary
Skiing by GPS can be really addicting. If you are unfamiliar with the ski resort, you can quickly find your way around like a pro. Even those that are familiar with the resort will be able to see their location when they get off the beaten path and will likely discover new places to ski. At the end of the day, you can view your travels on the mountain and share your adventures with others in your party.
For more information, see:
|
