Frequently Asked Questions

Skihelper.com is a community platform for families in the west region skiing and snowboarding network. It helps you:

• Check snow forecasts for 120 ski resorts across California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming with 16-day predictions, past 7 days of snow history, hourly detailed weather reports, snow level, snow-to-rain ratio, and snow quality
• Check road conditions with real-time traffic cameras and AI-powered road safety analysis for ski routes in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
• Buy, sell, or exchange ski equipment within the community
• Improve skiing and snowboarding technique with AI-powered Video Coach analysis
• Connect with other families through our messaging system
• Save money on gas and equipment costs
• Build community by sharing resources within the skiing family network
• Watch live mountain conditions via YouTube live video streams and web camera links for your favorite resorts

Yes! We offer Guest Access so you can explore the platform before registering:

• No registration required - Just click "Continue as Guest" on the login page
• View all tabs - Browse the interface and see how everything works
• Limited functionality - Guest users can explore but cannot:
  • Post equipment for sale/exchange
  • Send or receive messages
  • Upload videos or use Video Coach AI analysis
  • View detailed contact information of other users
• Snow Forecast access - Guest users CAN view a 3-day forward snow forecast preview plus past 7 days of history with hourly details. Registering (free) extends this to a 7-day forward forecast plus a 16-day snow total; upgrading to Premium unlocks the full 16-day forecast with hourly details for every day, plus wax suggestions
• No data storage - Guest sessions are temporary and nothing is saved

Yes! Skihelper.com is available as a native iOS app on the Apple App Store.

Download the iOS App:

• Search for "Skihelper.com" in the App Store
• Or visit our website at skihelper.com and click the App Store download button
• The app is free to download and use

iOS App Features:

• ✅ Full feature parity with the website
• ✅ Native iOS experience with smooth performance
• ✅ All authentication methods: Email/Password, Google Sign-In, and Apple Sign-In
• ✅ Guest access to explore before registering
• ✅ Video Coach with AI-powered ski analysis
• ✅ Push notifications for messages (coming soon)
• ✅ Optimized for iPhone and iPad

Website Access:

You can also access Skihelper.com through any web browser at skihelper.com. Your account works on both the website and iOS app!

You have three options to create an account:

Option 1: Email & Password Registration

1. Go to the homepage
2. Click the "Register" tab
3. Enter your email address
4. Create a password (minimum 6 characters)
5. Enter your family name (how other families will see you)
6. Click "Register"
7. Check your email for a verification link
8. Click the link to activate your account

Option 2: Google Sign-In (OAuth)

1. Click the "Sign in with Google" button
2. Select your Google account
3. Authorize the app to access your email
4. Enter your family name when prompted
5. Complete registration - no password needed!

Option 3: Apple Sign-In (OAuth)

1. Click the "Sign in with Apple" button
2. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or Apple ID password
3. Choose whether to share your email or use "Hide My Email"
4. Enter your family name when prompted
5. Complete registration - no password needed!

For Email/Password Accounts:

1. Go to the homepage
2. Make sure you're on the "Login" tab
3. Enter your email address (username)
4. Enter your password
5. Click "Login"

If you forgot your password, click the "Forgot Password?" link.

For Google Sign-In Users:

1. Click the "Sign in with Google" button
2. Select your Google account
3. You'll be automatically logged in

For Apple Sign-In Users:

1. Click the "Sign in with Apple" button
2. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or Apple ID password
3. You'll be automatically logged in

Alternatively, click "Continue as Guest" to explore the platform without logging in.

After logging in for the first time, we recommend:

1. Complete your Family Information - Add family members, contact info, and vehicle details
2. Browse the Exchange - See what equipment is available
3. Try Video Coach - Create a profile and upload a video for AI coaching
4. Check Snow Forecast - See the 16-day snow predictions, past 7 days of snow history, hourly details, snow level, snow-to-rain ratio, and snow quality for your favorite resorts

1. Click the "Account Profile" tab in the left sidebar
2. Scroll to the "Change Password" section
3. Enter your current password
4. Enter your new password (minimum 6 characters)
5. Confirm your new password
6. Click "Save Profile Settings"

Yes! In the Account Profile tab:

1. Update the email field
2. Click "Save Profile Settings"
3. You'll be logged out
4. Log back in with your new email

1. On the login page, click "Forgot Password?"
2. Enter your email address
3. Check your email for a reset link
4. Click the link and create a new password

If you don't receive the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder.

You can delete your account at any time through our self-service deletion process:

1. Log in to your account (website or mobile app)
2. Go to the "Account Profile" tab
3. Scroll down to the "Danger Zone" section at the bottom
4. Click "Delete My Account"
5. Read the warning and click "OK" to proceed
6. Enter your Family Name exactly as shown (for verification)
7. Confirm the final deletion prompt
8. Check your email for a confirmation link
9. Click the email link within 1 hour to complete deletion

Yes! We take security seriously:

• Password Protection: All passwords are encrypted with secure hashing
• Data Isolation: Each family's data is kept separate
• Limited Sharing: Personal details are only shared with families you explicitly contact or match with
• Secure Storage: All data is stored securely on our servers
• Video Privacy: Video Coach data is private to your account only
• Your Control: You can delete your account anytime through self-service deletion

For more details, please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

A complete family information profile helps the system:

• Connect you with families who have children of similar ages or ski levels
• Help other families understand your needs (dietary restrictions, ski team affiliations, etc.)
• Build trust within the community

1. Log in to your account
2. Click on the "Family Info" tab in the left sidebar
3. Fill in the sections:
   • Basic Information: Home address and Tahoe property address (if applicable)
   • Parents: Name, email, and phone for each adult
   • Children: Name, age, ski level, ski team, and dietary restrictions
   • Vehicles: Type and number of seats for each vehicle
4. Click "Save Family Info" at the bottom

Yes! Use the "+ Add Another Child" or "+ Add Vehicle" buttons to add as many as you need. To remove an entry, click the red "×" button in the top-right corner of that card.

Other families can see:

• Your family name
• Number of children (not names)
• Vehicle capacity

Private information (like specific addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) is only shared when you explicitly contact another family.

Guest users cannot see detailed personal information or contact details.

Snow Forecast provides comprehensive snow predictions for 120 ski resorts across California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. You can:

• View snowfall predictions for upcoming days with separate day time and evening snowfall amounts
• Check multiple elevations (base, mid-mountain, summit) for each resort
• View hourly detailed weather reports including temperature, snowfall, wind, precipitation, snow level, snow-to-rain ratio, and snow quality
• Check snow level to see at what elevation snow will fall vs rain
• See snow-to-rain ratio for understanding powder quality (higher ratios = fluffier snow)
• Assess snow quality indicators to plan your best ski days
• Plan your trips based on expected snow conditions
• Compare resorts to find the best powder days

We provide forecasts for 120 ski resorts across 9 states:

California (17 resorts):

• Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley)
• Alpine Meadows
• Northstar California
• Sugar Bowl
• Boreal Mountain
• Donner Ski Ranch
• Soda Springs
• Homewood
• Heavenly Mountain
• Kirkwood Mountain
• Sierra-at-Tahoe
• Dodge Ridge
• Bear Valley
• China Peak
• Mammoth Mountain
• June Mountain
• Big Bear Mountain Resort

Nevada (2 resorts):

• Mt Rose
• Diamond Peak

Utah (15 resorts):

• Park City Mountain
• Deer Valley Resort
• Alta Ski Area
• Snowbird
• Brighton Resort
• Solitude Mountain Resort
• Snowbasin Resort
• Powder Mountain
• Sundance Mountain Resort
• Beaver Mountain
• Nordic Valley
• Cherry Peak Resort
• Eagle Point Resort
• Brian Head Resort
• Woodward Park City

Colorado (25 resorts):

• Arapahoe Basin
• Breckenridge
• Keystone
• Copper Mountain
• Loveland Ski Area
• Vail
• Beaver Creek
• Aspen Snowmass
• Aspen Mountain
• Aspen Highlands
• Winter Park
• Granby Ranch
• Steamboat
• Howelsen Hill
• Eldora Mountain Resort
• Echo Mountain
• Crested Butte Mountain Resort
• Monarch Mountain
• Telluride
• Purgatory
• Wolf Creek Ski Area
• Silverton Mountain
• Powderhorn
• Sunlight Mountain Resort
• Ski Cooper

Oregon (10 resorts):

• Mt. Hood Meadows
• Timberline Lodge
• Mt. Hood SkiBowl
• Cooper Spur
• Mt. Bachelor
• Hoodoo Ski Area
• Willamette Pass
• Mt. Ashland
• Anthony Lakes
• Warner Canyon

Washington (13 resorts):

• The Summit at Snoqualmie
• Stevens Pass
• Crystal Mountain
• White Pass
• Sahalie Ski Club
• Mount Baker
• Hurricane Ridge
• Loup Loup Ski Bowl
• 49 Degrees North
• Bluewood
• Mission Ridge
• Mt. Spokane
• Leavenworth Ski Hill

Idaho (15 resorts):

• Schweitzer Mountain Resort
• Silver Mountain
• Lookout Pass Ski Area
• Cottonwood Butte
• Bald Mountain Ski Area
• Brundage
• Tamarack Resort
• Sun Valley
• Soldier Mountain
• Snowhaven Ski and Tubing Hill
• Bogus Basin
• Kelly Canyon
• Pebble Creek Ski Area
• Magic Mountain
• Pomerelle Mountain Resort

Montana (15 resorts):

• Whitefish Resort at Big Mountain
• Blacktail Mountain
• Turner Mountain
• Teton Pass Ski Resort
• Montana Snowbowl
• Discovery Basin
• Lost Trail Powder Mountain
• Maverick Mountain
• Big Sky Resort
• Moonlight Basin
• Bridger Bowl
• Great Divide Snowsports
• Showdown
• Red Lodge Mountain Resort
• Bear Paw Ski Bowl

Wyoming (8 resorts):

• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
• Grand Targhee Ski Resort
• Snow King Mountain
• Pine Creek Ski Resort
• Hogadon Ski Area
• Sleeping Giant Ski Area
• Snowy Range
• White Pine Ski Area

• Guest Users: Can view a 3-day forward forecast preview plus past 7 days of snow history for all resorts, with hourly details for those 3 days. No 16-day total is shown. Wax suggestions appear as a locked teaser.
• Regular (Free Registered) Users: Can view a 7-day forward forecast with hourly details, past 7 days of history, and a 16-day total snow figure. Days 8–15 appear as locked bars with an "Upgrade" prompt. Wax suggestions still appear as a locked teaser.
• Premium Users: Can view the full 16-day forecast with hourly details for every day, snow level, snow-to-rain ratio, snow quality, and full wax suggestions with recreational / professional toggle, for all 120 resorts across 9 states.

1. Click the "Snow Forecast" tab in the left sidebar
2. You'll see summary cards for all resorts showing total expected snowfall
3. Click on any resort to see detailed forecasts
4. View the timeline display showing daily snowfall predictions (day time and evening separately) plus past 7 days of actual snowfall history
5. Check different elevations using the elevation selector (base, mid, summit)
6. Click on any day to view hourly detailed weather reports including temperature, snowfall, wind, precipitation, snow level, snow-to-rain ratio, and snow quality

Each resort has three elevation levels with different snow predictions:

• Base: The lowest elevation (lodge/village area) - typically less snow, warmer temperatures
• Mid-Mountain: Middle elevation - average conditions for the resort
• Summit: The highest point - typically most snow, coldest temperatures

Hourly detailed weather reports give you a breakdown of conditions for each hour of the day. This includes:

• Temperature: Expected temperature for each hour
• Snowfall: Predicted snow accumulation per hour
• Wind: Wind speed and conditions
• Precipitation: Total precipitation amount
• Snow Level: The elevation where snow turns to rain - critical for knowing if you'll get snow at base areas
• Snow-to-Rain Ratio: Higher ratios (like 15:1) mean fluffier, drier powder; lower ratios (like 8:1) mean heavier, wetter snow
• Snow Quality: Overall assessment of expected snow conditions
• Wax Suggestions: Morning and afternoon wax color recommendations based on estimated snow temperature, with a toggle between recreational and professional race-level recommendations (Premium users only — Guest and Regular users see a locked teaser)

This helps you plan the best time of day to hit the slopes!

Snow level is the elevation above which precipitation falls as snow instead of rain. This is crucial information because:

• Above the snow level: You'll get snow accumulation
• Below the snow level: Precipitation may fall as rain, washing away existing snow
• Planning: If the snow level is above the base area elevation, you may want to focus on upper mountain skiing

Snow-to-rain ratio indicates how fluffy or dense the snow will be:

• High ratio (15:1 or higher): Light, fluffy powder - great for skiing!
• Average ratio (10:1 to 14:1): Good quality snow
• Low ratio (below 10:1): Heavy, wet snow - can be harder to ski but great for building base

The ratio tells you how many inches of snow you get from 1 inch of liquid water equivalent. Cold, dry storms produce higher ratios (fluffy powder), while warm, wet storms produce lower ratios (dense snow).

Instead of showing a single combined snowfall total for each day, our forecast now breaks it down:

• Day Time Snowfall: Expected snow accumulation during daylight hours (approximately 6 AM to 6 PM)
• Evening Snowfall: Expected snow accumulation during evening and overnight hours (approximately 6 PM to 6 AM)

This helps you plan better:

• If most snow falls overnight, expect fresh morning groomers!
• If snow falls during the day, you might score fresh tracks all day long
• Evening snowfall means potentially great conditions for first chair the next morning

Weather data is updated automatically every hour. You can see the last update time displayed at the top of the forecast page.

• Data source: Open-Meteo weather API
• Update frequency: Every hour
• Forecast range: Up to 16 days with hourly details, snow level, snow-to-rain ratio, and snow quality (registered users) or 3 days (guest users), plus past 7 days of snow history for all users — covering 120 resorts across 9 states

Weather forecasts are predictions, not guarantees. Please keep in mind:

• Short-term (1-3 days): Generally quite accurate
• Medium-term (4-7 days): Reasonably reliable for planning
• Long-term (8-16 days): Less accurate, use for general trends only
• Mountain weather: Highly variable and can change rapidly
• Hourly forecasts: Best used for same-day or next-day planning
• Snow level: Can fluctuate significantly during storms

The past 7 days snow history shows actual recorded snowfall from the previous week. This feature helps you:

• Track recent snowfall: See how much snow has actually fallen at each resort
• Assess current conditions: Recent snowfall indicates fresh powder availability
• Plan your trip: Compare recent snow with forecasted snow to find the best days
• Evaluate forecast accuracy: Compare past predictions with actual results

The snow history is displayed alongside the forecast timeline, with historical days shown in a different color to distinguish them from future predictions.

For each day and elevation, you can see:

• Day Time Snowfall: Expected snow accumulation during daylight hours
• Evening Snowfall: Expected snow accumulation during evening/overnight
• Temperature: High and low temperatures in Fahrenheit
• Precipitation: Total precipitation amount
• Wind: Expected wind conditions
• Snow Level: Elevation where snow turns to rain
• Snow-to-Rain Ratio: Indicator of snow quality/fluffiness
• Snow Quality: Overall assessment of expected conditions
• Wax Suggestion: Morning and afternoon wax color recommendations based on estimated snow temperature, with a professional toggle for race-level recommendations (Premium users only — Guest and Regular users see a locked teaser)

The timeline display shows snowfall predictions visually, making it easy to spot the best powder days! Click on any day to see hourly breakdowns of all these metrics. Wax suggestions are a Premium feature.

Wax Suggestion is a Premium feature that recommends ski wax colors based on estimated snow temperature. It appears when viewing hourly weather details and is fully available only to Premium users. Guest and Regular users see a locked teaser card (with snow temperature visible but the recommended wax color and name redacted) and an upgrade prompt.

🎿 How It Works:

• We estimate snow surface temperature based on air temperature, time of day, and cloud cover
• Morning (9AM-12PM): Snow is typically cooler than air (adjusted for cloud cover)
• Afternoon (1PM-4PM): Snow is typically cooler than air (sun has warmed the snow)
• Wax recommendations follow the SWIX Cera Nova chart for new/fine snow conditions

⚙️ Professional Toggle:

• OFF (default): Recreational recommendations - simplified wax colors for casual skiers
• ON: Professional race-level recommendations - detailed layering system with base prep, glide wax, and topcoat overlays used by race technicians

🎨 Wax Colors by Snow Temperature:

• 🟢 Green (CH/LF/HF 4): Very cold snow, ≤5°F (≤-15°C)
• 🔵 Blue (CH/LF/HF 7): Cold snow, 5-19°F (-15 to -7°C)
• 🟣 Violet (CH/LF/HF 6): Cool snow, 19-27°F (-7 to -3°C)
• 🔴 Red (CH/LF/HF 8): Warm snow, 27-36°F (-3 to +2°C)
• 🟡 Yellow (CH/LF/HF 10): Very warm/wet snow, ≥36°F (≥+2°C)

No! Snow Forecast is completely privacy-friendly:

• No tracking: We don't track which resorts you view
• No personal data: Your forecast viewing is not stored or analyzed
• Public data: Weather information is not personalized

Road & Traffic Conditions provides real-time traffic camera feeds and AI-powered road condition analysis for major ski routes in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. You can:

• View live traffic cameras along highways to California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming ski resorts
• Interactive Map View - See all cameras on a map with color-coded safety markers
• Check chain control requirements from official Caltrans, NDOT, UDOT, CDOT, ODOT, WSDOT, ITD, MDT, and WYDOT data
• Get AI-powered road assessments that analyze camera images for conditions
• See road closures and alerts before you leave
• Plan safer trips by knowing road conditions in advance

🗺️ Map Features:

• Color-coded markers by safety score: Green (70+), Yellow (50-69), Orange (30-49), Red (<30), Gray (N/A)
• Click any marker to view camera details instantly
• Grouped markers for multiple cameras at the same location
• Multiple map views - Standard, Satellite, Hybrid, and Terrain modes
• Location tracking - See your position on the map (optional, stays on device only)
• Zoom controls and smooth map navigation

We provide extensive camera coverage for major routes to California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington ski areas:

California Routes (via Caltrans):

• I-80: Sacramento to Reno corridor (primary route to north Tahoe resorts)
• US-50: Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe
• US-395: Eastern Sierra route
• SR-203: Mammoth Lake area
• SR-89: Connecting routes between Tahoe areas
• SR-267: Truckee to north shore
• SR-28: North shore route
• SR-88: Carson Pass to Kirkwood
• SR-168: Shaver Lake to China Peak
• SR-18: San Bernardino to Big Bear

Nevada Routes (via NDOT):

• SR-431 (Mt. Rose Highway): Reno to Incline Village via Mt. Rose ski area
• US-395 (Nevada section): Reno area coverage
• I-80 (Nevada section): Reno corridor coverage

Utah Routes (via UDOT):

• SR-210 (Little Cottonwood Canyon): Route to Alta and Snowbird
• SR-190 (Big Cottonwood Canyon): Route to Brighton and Solitude
• SR-224: Route to Park City and Deer Valley
• US-40 / SR-189: Park City to Herber
• SR-158: Eden to Powder Mountain
• SR-167 / SR-226: Mountain Green to Snowbasin
• SR-39: Ogden to Huntsville
• US-89: Logan to Garden City
• SR-92: Provo Canyon to American Fork Canyon
• SR-153: Beaver to Puffer Lake
• SR-143: Parowan to Brian Head

Colorado Routes (via CDOT):

• I-70 (Eisenhower Tunnel / Vail Pass): Route to Vail
• US-40 (Berthoud Pass): Route to Winter Park
• CO-103: Route to Mt Evans
• CO-9 (Hoosier Pass): Frisco to Breckenridge
• CO-91 (Fremont Pass): Route to Copper Mountain
• US-6: Silverthorne to Loveland Pass to Georgetown
• US-285 (Kenosha Pass): Denver to Fairplay
• CO-82 (Independence Pass): Aspen to Twin Lakes
• CO-65: Mesa to Powderhorn
• US-550 (Red Mountain Pass): Durango to Ouray
• CO-145 (Lizard Head Pass): Cortez to Telluride
• CO-135: Gunnison to Crested Butte
• US-36: Boulder to Nederland/Eldora
• CO-131: Route to Steamboat Springs
• US-50 (Monarch Pass): Salida to Gunnison
• US-160 (Wolf Creek Pass): Pagosa Springs to South Fork

Oregon Routes (via ODOT / TripCheck):

• US-26 (Mt. Hood Corridor): Portland to Government Camp — route to Timberline Lodge, Skibowl, and Summit Ski Area
• OR-35 (Hood River to Mt. Hood): Route to Mt. Hood Meadows and Cooper Spur
• US-20 (Santiam Pass): Albany to Sisters — route to Hoodoo Ski Area
• OR-58 (Willamette Pass): Eugene to Willamette Pass Ski Resort
• US-97 (Bend/Mt. Bachelor Corridor): Bend corridor to Mt. Bachelor from the north
• HWY-372 (Century Drive): Bend to Mt. Bachelor — direct route to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort via Century Drive
• I-5 (Siskiyou Summit): Medford to Ashland — route to Mt. Ashland Ski Area
• OR-140 (Warner Highway): Lakeview to Adel — route to Warner Canyon Ski Area via Warner Mountain Summit

Washington Routes (via WSDOT):

• I-90 (Snoqualmie Pass): Seattle to Ellensburg — route to Summit at Snoqualmie
• US-2 (Stevens Pass): Everett to Wenatchee — route to Stevens Pass
• SR-410 (Crystal Mountain / Chinook Pass): Tacoma to Crystal Mountain Ski Area
• SR-123 (Cayuse Pass): Enumclaw to Crystal Mountain — route to Crystal Mountain via east approach
• SR-542 (Mt. Baker Highway): Bellingham to Mt. Baker Ski Area
• US-12 (White Pass): Packwood to Yakima — route to White Pass Ski Area
• SR-20 (Loup Loup Pass): Burlington to Twisp — route to Loup Loup Ski Bowl
• US-395 (49 Degrees North): Spokane north corridor — route to 49 Degrees North and Chewelah
• US-101 (Olympic Peninsula / Hurricane Ridge): Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge — route to Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area
• SR-206 (Mt. Spokane): Spokane to Mt. Spokane State Park Ski Area

Idaho Routes (via ITD):

• SH-75 (Sun Valley / Wood River Valley): Twin Falls to Ketchum — route to Sun Valley and Bald Mountain
• SH-21 (Bogus Basin Road): Boise to Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
• SH-55 (McCall / Brundage Mountain): Boise to McCall — route to Brundage and Tamarack Resort
• I-90 (Silver Mountain / Lookout Pass): Coeur d'Alene to Lookout Pass — route to Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass Ski Area
• US-2 (Northern Panhandle / Sandpoint): Sandpoint to Bonners Ferry — route to Schweitzer Mountain Resort
• SH-11 (Clearwater / Orofino): Orofino to Elk City — route through Clearwater canyon ski area access
• US-95 (Idaho Mountain Corridor): Boise to Lewiston — route covering the north-south spine of Idaho ski areas
• SH-13 (Grangeville Corridor): Grangeville to Kooskia — route through central Idaho mountain corridor
• SH-33 (Teton Valley / Grand Targhee access): Idaho Falls to Driggs — route connecting to Grand Targhee Resort (WY side)
• US-20 (Eastern Idaho / Pine Turnoff): Idaho Falls to Sun Valley junction — route to eastern Idaho ski areas
• US-26 (Palisades / Swan Valley): Idaho Falls to Palisades Reservoir — route through eastern Idaho
• I-15 (Southeast Idaho Passes): Pocatello to McCammon — route covering southeast Idaho mountain passes
• SH-77 (Conner Summit / Pomerelle Mountain): Burley to Albion — route to Pomerelle Mountain Resort

Montana Routes (via MDT):

• US-191 (Big Sky Resort / Bozeman): Bozeman to West Yellowstone — route to Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin
• MT-64 (Big Sky Road): US-191 junction to Big Sky Resort — direct spur road serving Big Sky Resort (Big Sky Spur Road)
• US-93 (Whitefish Resort at Big Mountain / Kalispell): Missoula to Whitefish — route to Whitefish Resort at Big Mountain and Blacktail Mountain
• I-90 (Bridger Bowl / Bozeman corridor): Butte to Bozeman — route to Bridger Bowl and connecting to other Bozeman-area ski areas
• MT-1 (Discovery Basin / Anaconda): Anaconda to Drummond — route to Discovery Basin
• US-89 (Kings Hill / Showdown / Great Falls): Great Falls to White Sulphur Springs — route to Showdown Montana
• US-2 (Glacier / Hi-Line corridor): Cut Bank to Libby — route covering northern Montana ski areas including Turner Mountain and Lost Trail
• US-287 (Great Falls / Choteau area): Great Falls to Augusta — route supporting access to northwest Montana ski areas
• S-278 (Big Hole Pass): Wisdom to Dillon — route over Big Hole Pass serving Maverick Mountain area
• I-15 (Monida Pass): Dillon to Idaho border — route over Monida Pass in south-central Montana
• MT-78 (Red Lodge Mountain): Red Lodge corridor — route to Red Lodge Mountain Resort

Wyoming Routes (via WYDOT):

• WY-390 (Jackson Hole Mountain Resort / Teton Village): Jackson to Teton Village — route to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
• WY-22 (Teton Pass): Jackson to Idaho border — route to Grand Targhee Ski Resort and crossing to Idaho access
• WY-130 (Snowy Range Pass): Laramie to Saratoga — route to Snowy Range Ski Area
• US-191 (Pinedale / Daniel Junction): Pinedale to Hoback Junction — route connecting southern Jackson Hole area and Snow King Mountain
• WY-251 / WY-258 (Casper Mountain): Casper to Casper Mountain — route to Hogadon Ski Area
• US-14 (Yellowstone East / Cody area): Cody to Yellowstone — route to Sleeping Giant Ski Area
• US-30 (Kemmerer / Sage Junction): Western Wyoming corridor — route to Pine Creek Ski Resort

Camera feeds are provided by Caltrans, NDOT, UDOT, CDOT, ODOT (TripCheck), WSDOT, ITD, MDT, and WYDOT, covering both mountain and valley sections of these routes across nine states.

1. Click the "Road & Traffic" tab in the navigation
2. Select a highway from the dropdown menu
3. Choose your direction (e.g., Sacramento → Reno or Reno → Sacramento)
4. Click "Get Road & Traffic Conditions"
5. View the road conditions summary and chain control status at the top
6. View the Interactive Map showing all cameras with color-coded safety markers
7. Click any marker on the map to see camera details
8. Scroll down to browse the camera grid view
9. Click any camera for a larger view and detailed AI analysis

AI analyzes each traffic camera image and assigns a safety score (a Premium feature — Guest and Regular users do not see safety scores):

• 8-10 (Green - Good): Clear roads, good visibility, safe conditions
• 6-7 (Yellow - Caution): Some concerns - wet roads, light snow, or reduced visibility
• 4-5 (Orange - Poor): Challenging conditions - snow on road, fog, or traffic issues
• 1-3 (Red - Danger): Hazardous conditions - heavy snow, ice, very low visibility

We've recently improved our road score calculation algorithm for more accurate assessments.

Chain control levels are set by Caltrans, NDOT, UDOT, CDOT, ODOT, WSDOT, ITD, MDT, and WYDOT when road conditions require traction devices:

• R1 (Requirement 1): Chains required on all vehicles except 4WD/AWD with snow tires
• R2 (Requirement 2): Chains required on all vehicles including 4WD/AWD (only exception: snow tires on all 4 wheels for 4WD/AWD)
• R3 (Requirement 3): Road closed - chains won't help, conditions too severe

Chain control information is displayed at the top of the route summary when active.

Cameras are categorized by elevation to help you focus on what matters:

• Mountain cameras (⛰️): High elevation locations where snow and ice are most common. These are highlighted and receive AI analysis priority.
• Valley cameras (🏙️): Lower elevation areas that typically have less severe winter weather.

You can use the "Show mountain cameras only" filter to focus on the cameras most relevant to winter driving conditions.

Camera data and AI analysis are refreshed regularly:

• Camera images: Updated by Caltrans, NDOT, UDOT, CDOT, ODOT, WSDOT, ITD, MDT, and WYDOT approximately every 5-10 minutes
• Road conditions: Updated in real-time from Caltrans QuickMap, NDOT NVRoads, UDOT Traffic, COtrip, ODOT TripCheck, WSDOT Mountain Pass Conditions, ITD, MDT, and WYDOT
• AI analysis: Performed periodically on mountain cameras

You can see the last update time displayed on each camera and in the route summary.

The Traffic Cameras tab includes an interactive map with several useful features:

🗺️ Map View Modes:

• Standard: Default road map view
• Satellite: Aerial imagery view
• Hybrid: Satellite imagery with road labels
• Terrain: Shows elevation and topography (great for mountain areas!)

📍 Location Tracking:

• Tap the location button to see your current position on the map
• Helps you find cameras near your location
• Location is used only on your device - we don't store or track it
• You can deny location permission and still use all other map features

🎯 Camera Markers:

• Color-coded by safety score (green = good, red = poor conditions)
• Tap any marker to view camera details and live images
• Grouped markers show multiple cameras at the same location

We strive for accuracy but please keep in mind:

• Camera feeds are sourced directly from Caltrans and show actual road conditions
• Chain control and closures are from official Caltrans data
• AI analysis is automated and may not catch all hazards (we've recently improved the road score calculation)
• Conditions change rapidly in mountain areas

The Exchange marketplace is for ski-related equipment:

• Skis: Alpine, racing, powder, all-mountain
• Boots: Ski boots, boot bags
• Helmets: All types of ski/snowboard helmets
• Poles: Racing, recreational, adjustable
• Clothing: Jackets, pants, base layers, gloves
• Gear: Goggles, bags, accessories, etc.

1. Click the "Exchange" tab in the left sidebar
2. Click "Create New Listing"
3. Select the equipment category
4. Fill in the required fields:
   • Brand: Manufacturer name
   • Price: Asking price in dollars
   • Age: Years since purchase
   • Condition: New, Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor
   • Description: Details about the item
5. Add category-specific details (size, length, etc.)
6. Upload Pictures (Optional but Recommended):
   • Click the "Choose Files" or "Add Pictures" button
   • Select up to 5 photos of your item
   • Supported formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, WEBP
   • Maximum file size: 5MB per image
7. Click "Submit Listing"

1. Browse the Exchange listings
2. Click on an item to see full details
3. Click "Contact Seller"
4. A message form opens with the seller's information
5. Write your message (questions, offer, meeting arrangements)
6. Click "Send Message"

The seller will receive your message and can respond directly through the messaging system.

No! The Exchange marketplace is completely free for all community members. This is a service to help families save money and reduce waste by sharing equipment.

Video Coach is an AI-powered technique analysis feature that helps you improve your skiing or snowboarding. You can:

• Upload videos of yourself or family members
• Receive personalized AI feedback based on sport, skill level and age
• Track progress with saved coaching feedback over time
• Add custom notes to focus the AI on specific techniques
• Compare videos to track improvement by setting a reference video and comparing new videos against it
• View visual annotations (Premium) — AI-generated annotated images highlighting technique errors directly on your video frames with coaching overlays

1. Click the "Video Coach" tab in the left sidebar
2. Click "Create Profile"
3. Fill in the profile information:
   • Name: The skier's or snowboarder's name (can be a nickname)
   • Age: Important for age-appropriate coaching language
   • Gender: Used for personalized feedback
   • Sport: Skiing or Snowboarding
   • Skill Level: From beginner to advanced/FIS level
4. Click "Save Profile"

1. Select the profile for the person in the video
2. Click "Upload Video"
3. Choose a video file from your device:
   • Supported formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, WEBM
   • Maximum file size: 100MB
   • Maximum duration: 60s
4. (Optional) Add a Custom Analysis Note to focus the AI:
   • Examples: "Check my pole timing" or "Focus on turn shape"
   • This helps the AI give more targeted feedback
5. Click "Upload and Analyze"
6. Wait for the AI to process your video (usually 30-60 seconds)

Videos are automatically deleted after a tier-based retention period to conserve storage and protect your privacy:

• Regular (free) accounts: videos are automatically deleted 30 days after upload
• Premium accounts: videos are automatically deleted 12 months after upload
• AI coaching feedback is permanently saved regardless of tier, so you can reference it anytime
• Visual annotation images (Premium) are also permanently saved with your feedback
• You can manually delete videos anytime before the auto-delete cutoff
• Video thumbnails are also deleted with the video

Video Coach has three tier-based limits: active video storage, how long videos are kept before auto-delete, and how many AI analyses you can run per rolling 30-day window.

Limit	Regular (Free)	Premium
Active video storage	500 MB	2 GB
Video auto-delete	30 days after upload	12 months after upload
AI analyses (rolling 30 days)	5 per 30 days	100 per 30 days
Visual Annotations	Not available	Included

• The analysis quota uses a rolling 30-day window, not a calendar month. An analysis counts against your quota for 30 days from the date it was run, then automatically falls off.
• When you reach your storage cap, new uploads are blocked until you manually delete older videos (or until videos auto-delete on schedule).
• AI feedback and (for Premium) Visual Annotation images are kept permanently regardless of tier — only the raw video file is subject to auto-deletion.
• Your remaining analyses for the period are shown on the Video Coach tab (for example, "3 / 5 analyses (Past 30 Days)" for a Regular account, or "12 / 100" for Premium).

The video comparison feature lets you track your skiing or snowboarding progress over time by comparing a new video against a reference video:

1. Set a Reference Video:
   • Find a video that shows your current baseline technique
   • Check the "📌 Set as Reference" checkbox on that video
   • Each skier profile can have one reference video at a time
2. Enable Comparison Mode:
   • On any other video for the same skier, check "🔄 Compare to Reference"
   • Optionally add a Comparison Note to focus the AI (e.g., "Focus on hip angulation improvement")
3. Analyze with Comparison:
   • Click "Compare & Analyze" to run the comparison analysis
   • The AI will analyze both videos and provide detailed progress feedback

When you run a comparison analysis, the AI provides detailed feedback including:

• Improvements Observed: Specific technique improvements visible in the current video compared to the reference
• Regressions or Concerns: Honest feedback about any skills that may have declined or bad habits that developed
• Overall Progress Rating: A summary rating from "Significant Improvement" to "Needs Attention"
• Current Performance Analysis: What's going well and areas for improvement in the latest video
• Targeted Drills: Exercises specifically designed to address gaps identified in the comparison

Reference videos follow the same tier-based retention policy as all videos (30 days for Regular accounts, 12 months for Premium accounts):

• When a reference video is deleted (automatically after the retention period, or manually), comparison mode is disabled for that profile
• You'll need to set a new reference video to use comparison analysis again
• All comparison feedback from before the reference was deleted is permanently saved
• Consider re-uploading important reference videos if you want to continue tracking against the same baseline

Visual Annotation is a premium feature that takes your Video Coach analysis to the next level. When enabled, the AI:

• Extracts key video frames at moments where technique errors are detected
• Detects body keypoints (joints, limbs, posture) on each frame using AI
• Draws coaching overlays directly on the image — showing arrows, lines, and highlights that pinpoint exactly what needs correction
• Labels each annotation with the specific error name and a description of how to fix it

Think of it as having a coach draw on a still frame of your video to show you exactly where your body positioning needs adjustment.

1. Make sure you have a premium account
2. Go to the Video Coach tab and select a profile
3. Find the video you want to analyze
4. Toggle on "✏️ Show Annotation" on the video card
5. Click "Analyze" (or "Re-analyze" / "Compare & Analyze")
6. The AI will first generate your text feedback, then begin creating visual annotations in the background
7. Annotations typically take 1–2 minutes to generate after the text analysis completes
8. Once ready, annotated frames will appear in the feedback view — tap any image to view it full size

Each annotated frame includes visual coaching markers drawn directly on the image:

• Red indicators: Problem areas — where your body position, alignment, or movement needs correction
• Green indicators: Correct or target positions — showing where your body should be
• Yellow/orange indicators: Warnings or areas to watch
• Arrows: Direction of movement or correction needed
• Text labels: The specific error name and a brief correction description

The annotations are scaled to match the size of the skier or snowboarder in the frame, so they remain clear and readable regardless of filming distance.