GPS Brings Safety to the Ski Slopes
Jan
It’s quite sad when you hear of skiers going missing after unknowingly wandering off the ski-fields trail and especially when it’s supposed to have been a fun family event. We are just now beginning to see GPS being integrated into ski fields to improve overall safety and also provide the ski fields with useful skier information.
Boulder location-based services company, flaik Inc., has teamed up with the Steamboat Ski Resort & Corporation to provide its cutting-edge GPS satellite-based guest locator and resort amenity system across the nearly 3,000-acre Steamboat Ski Area this winter.
“Steamboat has always pioneered state-of-the-art guest technologies,” said Steve Kenny, flaik CEO. “Their application of the first GPS-based peace-of-mind solution for ski and snowboard schools is another example of the resort’s commitment to customer service.”
Using GPS-enabled tags assigned to each individual, the flaik system can locate individuals, allow instructors and Ski & Snowboard School supervisors to monitor students, deliver run-by-run and day-by-day statistics, and enable skiers and boarders to share their day with friends and families. Currently, every child in Steamboat’s childcare and Ski & Snowboard program receives a Steamboat MountainWatch, powered by flaik device.
If the software for ski fields is anything like some of the leading fleet management products, then you should be able to be alerted when skiing outside the ski-field boundaries. Or even get location information about which way to follow a easy or medium grade slopes instead of mistakenly getting yourself caught tumbling down a black diamond trial.
I look forward to seeing this technology come into play the next time I hit the slopes!
December 10th, 2009 at 9:25 am
This GPS is an improvement over our old one. Specifically the screen is larger and best of all with the bluetooth we can receive and make calls with ease.