Frequently Asked Questions

Skihelper.com is a community platform for families in the Palisades Tahoe skiing network. It helps you:

• Coordinate carpools with other families going to the same resort on the same day
• Buy, sell, or exchange ski equipment within the community
• Connect with other families through our messaging system
• Improve skiing technique with AI-powered Video Coach analysis
• Check snow forecasts for 11 Tahoe resorts with 16-day predictions
• Save money on gas and equipment costs
• Build community by sharing rides and resources

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:
  • Create carpool listings or travel events
  • Post equipment for sale/exchange
  • Send or receive messages
  • Access AI carpool matching
  • Upload videos or use Video Coach AI analysis
  • View detailed contact information of other users
• Snow Forecast access - Guest users CAN view 3-day snow forecast preview (register for full 16-day forecasts)
• 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 and carpool matches (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. Set your Travel Schedule - Add dates when you plan to go skiing
3. Browse the Exchange - See what equipment is available
4. Check Carpool Matches - See if any families match your schedule
5. Try Video Coach - Create a skier profile and upload a video for AI coaching
6. Check Snow Forecast - See the 16-day snow predictions 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:

• Match you with carpools based on family size and vehicle capacity
• 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)
• General location (if you're matched for carpools)
• Vehicle capacity

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

Guest users cannot see detailed personal information or contact details.

Snow Forecast provides snow predictions for 13 ski resorts. You can:

• View snowfall predictions for upcoming days
• Check multiple elevations (base, mid-mountain, summit) for each resort
• Plan your trips based on expected snow conditions
• Compare resorts to find the best powder days

We provide forecasts for 12 ski resorts:

• Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley)
• Alpine Meadows
• Northstar California
• Sugar Bowl
• Boreal Mountain
• Mt Rose
• Diamond Peak
• Heavenly Mountain
• Kirkwood Mountain
• Sierra-at-Tahoe
• Mammoth Mountain
• China Peak

• Guest Users: Can view 3-day snow forecast preview for all resorts
• Registered Users: Can view the full 16-day snow forecast for all resorts

1. Click the "Snow Forecast" tab in the left sidebar
2. You'll see summary cards for all 12 resorts showing total expected snowfall
3. Click on any resort to see detailed forecasts
4. View the timeline display showing daily snowfall predictions
5. Check different elevations using the elevation selector (base, mid, summit)

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

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 (registered users) or 3 days (guest users)

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

For each day and elevation, you can see:

• Snowfall: Expected snow accumulation in inches
• Temperature: High and low temperatures in Fahrenheit
• Precipitation: Total precipitation amount
• Wind: Expected wind conditions

The timeline display shows snowfall predictions visually, making it easy to spot the best powder days!

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

1. Click the "Schedule" tab in the left sidebar
2. Click "Add Event"
3. Fill in the details:
   • Date: When you're planning to go
   • Carpool Type: "Available" (you can drive) or "Needed" (you need a ride)
   • Leave Time: Your departure time window
   • From/To: Departure and destination locations
   • Passengers: Number of adults and children
   • Notes: Any additional information
4. Click "Add Travel Event"

• "Available" means you're driving and have extra seats you can offer to others
• "Needed" means you need a ride and are looking for someone going the same direction

The AI matching system pairs "Available" drivers with "Needed" riders based on date, location, timing, and family compatibility.

Yes! When adding an event, you can select:

• Single Event: One specific date
• Weekly: Same day every week (e.g., every Saturday)
• Custom Range: Select specific dates within a range

This is great for regular ski team pickups or weekly ski days!

1. Find your event in the schedule list
2. Click the "Edit" button to modify details
3. Or click "Delete" to remove it completely

Changes take effect immediately and will update your carpool matches.

The Carpool Inventory is a visual calendar and list view of all your travel events. It provides:

• Calendar View: Interactive monthly calendar with highlighted event dates
• Quick Editing: Click any date to view, edit, or delete events
• Schedule Summary: Chronological list of all your upcoming trips

Think of it as your personal carpool dashboard where you can see everything you've scheduled in one place!

1. Click the "Carpool Inventory" tab in the left sidebar
2. You'll see two main sections:
   • Calendar View: Interactive monthly calendar showing dates with events
   • My Schedule Summary: List view of all events by month
3. In the calendar:
   • Dates with events are highlighted in purple
   • Click any highlighted date to see details
   • Use "Previous" and "Next" buttons to change months

From Calendar View:

1. Click on the date with the event you want to modify
2. A popup will show all events for that date
3. Each event has two buttons:
   • Click "Edit" to modify the event details
   • Click "Delete" to remove the event

Our AI-powered matching system analyzes:

• Date & Time: Families traveling on the same day with compatible schedules
• Location: Proximity of pickup/dropoff points
• Capacity: Vehicle space and passenger needs
• Compatibility: Children's ages, ski levels, and team affiliations
• Social factors: Mutual friends and past successful carpools

The system generates a compatibility score (0-100) for each potential match.

1. Click the "Carpool Matches" tab in the left sidebar
2. You'll see two sections:
   • My Matches: Families matched with you
   • All Matches: All carpool matches in the system (for reference)
3. Each match shows:
   • Compatibility score
   • Travel details (date, time, locations)
   • Family information
   • Why you're a good match (AI recommendation)

• 90-100: Excellent match - highly compatible in all areas
• 75-89: Great match - strong compatibility with minor differences
• 60-74: Good match - compatible with some trade-offs
• Below 60: Potential match - may require flexibility

1. Find a match you're interested in
2. Click the "Request Carpool" or "Offer Ride" button
3. A message form will open with:
   • Pre-filled subject line
   • Space to add your personal message
   • Your contact information
4. Add any details about your request
5. Click "Send Request"

The other family will receive your message in their Message Box and can respond directly.

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 ski technique analysis feature that helps you improve your skiing. You can:

• Upload ski videos of yourself or family members
• Receive personalized AI feedback based on skill level and age
• Track progress with saved coaching feedback over time
• Add custom notes to focus the AI on specific techniques

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

1. Select the skier 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)

To conserve storage and protect your privacy:

• Videos are automatically deleted 30 days after upload
• AI coaching feedback is permanently saved so you can reference it anytime
• You can manually delete videos anytime before the 30-day limit
• Video thumbnails are also deleted with the video

The AI provides helpful general feedback, but please keep in mind:

• AI analysis is for informational purposes only
• It is NOT a substitute for professional ski instruction
• Quality depends on video clarity, angle, and lighting
• Use your own judgment when applying suggestions
• For serious technique development, always work with qualified instructors

The AI adapts its coaching style based on the skier's age and skill level:

• Young Children (under 8): Fun, encouraging language with simple tips and lots of praise
• Older Kids (8-12): Age-appropriate technical guidance with encouragement
• Teens (13-17): More detailed technical feedback with youth-friendly explanations
• Adults: Professional coaching language with comprehensive technical analysis
• Advanced/FIS Level: High-performance coaching with racing-specific terminology

Yes! You can create profiles for your entire family:

• Each skier gets their own profile with their age and skill level
• Videos and feedback are organized by skier
• Each person's coaching is personalized to their level

This is great for tracking the progress of multiple children or family members!

To delete a video:

1. Go to the Video Coach tab
2. Select the skier profile
3. Find the video in the list
4. Click the "Delete" button
5. Confirm deletion

To delete a skier profile:

1. Go to the Video Coach tab
2. Find the profile you want to remove
3. Click the "Delete Profile" button
4. Confirm deletion (this will also delete all videos and feedback for that skier)

The built-in messaging system allows you to:

• Coordinate carpool details with matched families
• Inquire about equipment listings
• Communicate within the community
• Keep all your conversations in one place

Messages are private between you and the recipient family.

There are several ways to send messages:

• From Carpool Matches: Click "Request Carpool" or "Offer Ride"
• From Exchange Listings: Click "Contact Seller"
• From Message Box: Click "New Message" and select a recipient

1. Click the "Message Box" tab in the left sidebar
2. You'll see:
   • Inbox: Messages from other families
   • Sent: Messages you've sent
3. Click on any message to read the full content
4. Use the reply button to respond

Currently, you need to check your Message Box within the platform. In future updates, we plan to add:

• Email notifications for new messages
• In-app notification badges
• Push notifications (mobile app)

The Friends Network allows you to:

• Connect with families you know and trust
• Get prioritized carpool matches with your friends
• Build a community of trusted carpool partners
• Block users you don't want to interact with

When you add someone as a friend, the AI matching system gives higher priority to carpools with your friends. Mutual friends (both families list each other) receive the highest matching boost!

1. Click the "Friends Network" tab in the left sidebar
2. In the "Search Users" section, enter a family name or email address
3. Click "Search"
4. Find the family you want to add in the search results
5. Click "Add Friend" next to their name

Once added, they'll appear in your "Friends List" section and you'll receive better carpool matches with them!

The carpool matching system considers friendship when calculating compatibility scores:

• Mutual Friends (both list each other): +2 points bonus - highest priority
• One-way Friend (only one lists the other): +1 point bonus
• No friendship connection: Standard matching without bonus

This means carpools with mutual friends can score up to 2 points higher than non-friends, making them more likely to appear at the top of your matches!

When you block a user:

• No carpool matches: You will never be matched together
• No messaging: They cannot send you messages
• No search visibility: They won't appear in your search results
• Complete privacy: They won't be notified that you blocked them

Use this feature if you've had a negative experience or simply prefer not to interact with certain families.

To block a user:

1. Go to "Friends Network" tab
2. Search for the family or find them in your Friends List
3. Click "Block User"
4. Confirm your decision

To unblock a user:

1. Go to "Friends Network" tab
2. Scroll to the "Blocked Users" section
3. Find the family you want to unblock
4. Click "Unblock"

When viewing carpool matches, you'll see a special badge (💥 Mutual Friends) if both you and the other family have listed each other as friends. This indicates a strong connection!

However, the system doesn't show one-way friendships publicly (when someone adds you but you haven't added them back) to maintain privacy.