Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Skihelper.com ("we," "our," or "us"). We operate skihelper.com (website) and our iOS mobile app (available on the Apple App Store). We respect your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our service to coordinate ski carpools, exchange ski equipments within the Palisades Tahoe family community, check snow forecasts, or look for ski video coaching analysis.

This policy applies to both our website and iOS mobile app. Both platforms offer the same core features and privacy protections.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Types

We offer two types of access to our platform:

• Registered Accounts: Full access with personal data storage
• Guest Access: Limited, view-only access without personal data storage

2.2 Required Information for Registered Accounts

To create a registered account and use full features, you can register using one of three methods:

• Email & Password Registration:
  • Email address: For account creation and login (must be real)
  • Password: Encrypted and securely stored
• Google Sign-In (OAuth):
  • We receive your Google email address and basic profile information
  • No separate password required - uses Google's secure authentication
  • You maintain control through your Google account settings
• Apple Sign-In (OAuth):
  • We receive your Apple ID email or privacy relay email (if you choose "Hide My Email")
  • No separate password required - uses Apple's secure authentication
  • Enhanced privacy options through Apple's privacy features

Required for all registration methods:

• Family name: How your family will appear to other users
• Travel destinations: Where you're going skiing (needed for carpool matching)

2.3 Guest User Information

Guest users can explore the platform with limited functionality:

• No personal data collected: Guest access requires no registration
• View-only access: Can browse general features but cannot create listings, messages, or carpool arrangements
• No data retention: Guest sessions are temporary and not stored
• Limited features: Cannot access messaging, carpool matching, equipment exchange posting, or Video Coach uploads

2.4 Optional Information for Registered Users

You may choose to provide additional information to help with carpooling and community features. You can use nicknames, provide approximate locations, or share general information at your comfort level:

• Family name or nickname
• General home location (city/neighborhood level)
• Vehicle information (if offering rides)
• Children's information (names, ages, ski ability levels - for carpool coordination only)
• Profile photo or avatar
• Phone number (optional)

2.5 Information You Create

When using the platform, you may create:

• Travel schedule entries (where and when you're skiing)
• Carpool availability listings (seats offered or needed)
• Equipment exchange listings (ski gear for sale/trade)
• Messages to other families
• Friend connections and blocking preferences

2.6 Video Coach Information

If you use our Video Coach feature for AI-powered ski technique analysis:

• Skier Profiles: Name, age, gender, and skill level of skiers in your family (used to personalize coaching feedback)
• Video Uploads: Ski technique videos you upload for analysis
  • Videos are stored in Google Cloud Storage
  • Videos are automatically deleted after 30 days
  • AI-generated coaching feedback is permanently preserved
• Custom Analysis Notes: Optional notes you provide to focus the AI analysis (e.g., "Check my pole timing" or "Focus on turn shape")
• Video Thumbnails: Preview images generated from your videos

2.7 Snow Forecast Information

When you use our Snow Forecast feature:

• No personal data collected: Snow forecast is available without registration
• No tracking: We do not track which resorts you view or your forecast preferences
• Weather data source: We fetch weather data from Open-Meteo, a third-party weather API
• Server-side caching: Weather data is cached on our servers (updated hourly) to improve performance
• No user fingerprinting: We do not use the Snow Forecast feature to identify or track individual users
• Guest vs Registered access: Guest users can view 3-day forecasts; registered users get full 16-day forecasts for all 13 supported resorts

3. How We Use Your Information

We're a simple community tool. Your information is used for:

• Carpool Matching: Connect families with similar travel plans
• Account Management: Maintain your login and account settings
• Platform Features: Enable equipment listings and messaging (if you choose to use them)
• Video Coach: Provide personalized AI-powered ski coaching feedback based on your skill level and age
• Snow Forecast: Display weather predictions for Tahoe ski resorts (no personal data used)
• Basic Security: Prevent spam and abuse

That's it! We're a simple community tool. We don't sell data, run advertising, or do complex analytics. Your information is used only to help families coordinate with each other and improve their skiing.

4. Information Sharing

4.1 Within the Community

This is a community platform. When you use the carpool matching feature, other community members in your match will see the information you've provided (family name, travel plans, contact info if you shared it).

Equipment listings are visible to all community members who use the exchange feature.

Video Coach data (skier profiles, videos, and feedback) is private and visible only to your family account.

Snow Forecast data is public weather information with no personal data involved.

Guest users cannot see personal information or contact details as they do not have access to messaging or detailed carpool coordination features.

4.2 Third-Party Services

We use minimal third-party services:

• OpenAI: For AI-powered carpool suggestions (only destination and travel info is shared)
• Google Gemini (Vertex AI): For AI-powered ski video analysis in the Video Coach feature (video files and skier profile information are processed to generate coaching feedback)
• Google Cloud Storage: For secure storage of ski videos and equipment listing photos
• Open-Meteo: For weather data used in the Snow Forecast feature (no personal data is sent to this service)
• Server Hosting: AWS for hosting the website and mobile app backend
• Email Service: AWS SES for sending verification and notification emails
• OAuth Authentication Providers (Optional):
  • Google Sign-In: If you choose to sign in with Google, we use Google's OAuth service for authentication. Google provides us with your email address and basic profile information. We do not share your family, travel, or activity data with Google.
  • Apple Sign-In: If you choose to sign in with Apple, we use Apple's OAuth service for authentication. Apple provides us with your Apple ID email (or a privacy relay email if you choose "Hide My Email"). We do not share your family, travel, or activity data with Apple.
  • Both OAuth services are industry-standard and provide enhanced security for your account

4.3 What We DON'T Do

• ❌ We do NOT sell your information
• ❌ We do NOT share with advertisers
• ❌ We do NOT use tracking cookies
• ❌ We do NOT run background checks or verify users
• ❌ We do NOT share your video data with other users
• ❌ We do NOT track your snow forecast viewing habits

Legal Note: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect safety, but this is rare for a small community platform.

5. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect your information:

• Passwords are encrypted
• Data is stored on secure servers (AWS)
• Videos and images are stored securely on Google Cloud Storage
• We use HTTPS for secure connections
• Access is limited to admins only when needed
• JWT tokens for secure authentication

However: This is a small community project run by volunteers, not a Fortune 500 company. While we do our best with security, we cannot guarantee absolute security. Use common sense about what information you share.

Data Retention

• Your data stays while your account is active
• Guest user data is not retained beyond the session
• Video Coach videos are automatically deleted after 30 days
• Video Coach feedback is permanently retained
• Snow forecast weather data is refreshed hourly (previous data overwritten)
• You can delete your account at any time through self-service deletion
• Inactive accounts may be removed after extended periods

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Update

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information through your account dashboard
• Update or correct your information at any time
• View your carpool history and equipment listings
• Delete individual ski videos from Video Coach before the 30-day auto-deletion
• Export your data in a portable format

6.2 Privacy Controls

• Profile Visibility: Control what information is shared in carpool matches
• Communication Preferences: Opt out of non-essential notifications
• Listing Privacy: Choose visibility settings for equipment listings
• Video Coach Privacy: Your videos and coaching feedback are private to your account
• Snow Forecast Privacy: No personal data is collected when viewing forecasts; guest users see 3-day preview, registered users see full 16-day forecasts
• Guest Mode: Use guest access to explore the platform without providing personal information

6.3 Account Deletion

We provide self-service account deletion. You can delete your account at any time:

1. Log in to your account
2. Go to Account Profile tab
3. Scroll to the "Danger Zone" section at the bottom
4. Click "Delete My Account"
5. Follow the multi-step confirmation process
6. Check your email for a confirmation link
7. Click the email link to complete deletion (link expires in 1 hour)

Note: Guest users do not have accounts to delete, as no personal data is stored during guest sessions.

7. Children's Privacy

Our service is designed for families with children who participate in ski activities. While we collect information about children (names, ages, ski levels) as part of family profiles:

• Parents/guardians must be at least 18 years old to create accounts
• Parents control all information about their children
• Children's information is only shared within matched carpool groups
• Video Coach skier profiles for children are managed by parents and kept private
• We do not knowingly collect information directly from children under 13
• Parents can request deletion of children's information at any time through account deletion
• Guest users cannot access detailed children's information

8. Cookies and Tracking

We use minimal tracking technologies:

• Authentication Tokens: Stored locally to keep you logged in (JWT tokens for email/password login, OAuth tokens for Google/Apple Sign-In)
• Session Data: Temporary storage for app functionality
• Local Storage: Browser and app storage for user preferences
• OAuth Cookies: If you use Google or Apple Sign-In, those providers may set their own cookies according to their privacy policies

We do NOT use:

• Third-party advertising cookies
• Cross-site tracking
• Analytics tools that identify individuals

iOS App Note: Our iOS mobile app uses the same minimal tracking approach and does not collect device identifiers or track your activity outside the app.

9. Third-Party Links

Our service may contain links to external websites (e.g., resort websites, equipment manufacturers). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. Please review their privacy policies before providing any information.

10. AI and Automated Decision Making

We use AI technology in two features:

10.1 Carpool Matching (OpenAI)

• What It Does: Analyzes family profiles, travel plans, and preferences to suggest optimal carpool matches
• Your Control: Matches are suggestions only; you always have final approval
• Data Sent: Only relevant matching criteria (anonymized where possible)
• Human Oversight: Admins review match quality and can override AI suggestions
• Guest Access: Guest users cannot access AI matching features

10.2 Video Coach (Google Gemini)

• What It Does: Analyzes ski technique videos and provides personalized coaching feedback based on the skier's age, skill level, and any custom notes you provide
• Age-Appropriate Coaching: Feedback is tailored to be appropriate for children, teens, or adults
• Skill-Level Guidance: Technical advice matches the skier's ability from beginner to advanced/FIS level
• Your Control: You choose which videos to upload and can add custom analysis notes to focus the coaching
• Data Sent: Video files and skier profile information (name, age, gender, skill level)
• Privacy: Videos are processed and automatically deleted after 30 days; feedback is saved
• Guest Access: Guest users cannot upload videos or use AI analysis

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in:

• Our practices or services
• Legal requirements
• User feedback and best practices

Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Significant changes will be communicated via email or prominent notice on the platform. Continued use of our service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if information is sold or shared (We do NOT sell personal information)
• Right to delete personal information (available through self-service deletion)
• Right to opt-out of sale (Note: We do NOT sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

13. International Users

Our service is primarily intended for users in the United States, specifically the Palisades Tahoe community. If you access our service from outside the US:

• Your information will be transferred to and stored in the United States
• By using our service, you consent to this transfer
• US data protection laws may differ from your country's laws

© 2025 Skihelper.com | Palisades Tahoe Families