App Review: Ski Tracks

skitracksSki Tracks is loaded with features, whether you use it inbounds, or the backcountry — it is the most downloaded ski application in the world. For backcountry use it comes in handy for those obscure lines. It can be a useful application to turn on when shortcutting through trees, exploring new routes, or comparing routes. It is easy on the battery power, especially for an app that uses the GPS built in to the phone when out of data range. Track, start, finish and even photographs on Standard or Hybrid Maps. Run-by-Run analysis shows your ascents and descents. Preview mode allows you see your tracks play by play. Very accurate stats!

As you take photographs with Ski Tracks they are automatically geo-coded and added to your track. The graph button allows you to see your current or historic track speed and altitude profiles. Lot’s of extra features in all these different screens. The app is packed with different settings. The app can run in the background with a proximity sensor. Best of all, export the track and embedded photographs and email them to your computer to display your entire day, trip or season. You can also export all the data easily on Google Earth as a KMZ file.

Main screen with overview of stats
Main screen with overview of stats
Altitude and speed profiles with full summary
Altitude and speed profiles with full summary
Tracks record via GPS, start at the trailhead and finish.
Tracks record via GPS, start at the trailhead and finish.
Maps can be hybrid, satellite, or summary. Very responsive and easy to use.
Maps can be hybrid, satellite, or summary. Very responsive and easy to use.
Summary of tracks
Summary of tracks
Hour-by-hour summary of distance and speed - each can be clicked to access map location.
Hour-by-hour summary of distance and speed – each can be clicked to access map location.
Profile summaries with built in features and details.
Profile summaries with built in features and details.
Different options for tracks can be accessed
Different options for tracks can be accessed
Mileage / time tracks
Mileage / time tracks
Mileage points
Mileage points
Exported tracks in a KMZ file exports all sorts of data with the KML file - including profiles and even geo-data on where photos were taken along the track.
Exported tracks in a KMZ file exports all sorts of data with the KML file – including profiles and even geo-data on where photos were taken along the track.

The graphing, min and max figures, particularly the speed, are really interesting. I can manage 6-7 hours without having to go to external reserve power. With sensible use of pause and resume the app can last quite awhile. It has some very useful features for the backcountry in certain situations. For instance; I can turn on the app and record at the trailhead, pause, and power down the phone. Later in the day, when I want a way point recorded I can power on the phone, resume the app, and record that point.. Power down the phone, rinse and repeat. At the end of the day, I can import the data in to Google Earth and those way points will show up. I can edit the route, etc. I am less concerned about most route tracking unless I am unfamiliar with the route. Of more use to me is the ability to mark waypoints with time, altitude, and perhaps the ability to snap a pic and have the geo-data mark the location in Google Earth.


Available on:

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Cost: $0.99

Ski TracksMore information can be found on the publisher’s website: corecoders.com

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