Never be lost at a ski resort again or worry about bringing that little paper trail map with you everyday thanks to the latest update from Google Maps. Google added an additional 100 ski resorts, with all their ski runs, to Google Maps, helping you to plan your ski trip in advance or decide where to shred next from the chairlift. Will Google Maps eventually bring about the demise of ski resort smartphone apps?
A couple of days ago, Google announced that it has updated Google Maps to include trail maps for a number of major resorts across the US and Canada, including Mt. Hood, Alta, Taos, Arapahoe Basin, and Whitefish. As I am getting ready to head up to Tahoe this weekend, I am excited to learn that all of the Northern Sierra resorts are now covered, including Northstar and Kirkwood.
The ski runs are marked as they would be at the resort by the usual blue, green, and black lines representing difficulty of terrain. Google Maps does not distinguish between a single and double black diamond, however, or signify the ski area boundaries. All lifts, t-bars, and gondolas are shown as red dotted lines.
Last November, Google set out on a mission to add all ski runs to Google Maps and started with about 90 different resorts across the globe. Now Google Maps users can find trail maps for about 225 different ski resorts, mostly North American with a handful of European resorts thrown in for good measure. You can view the list of the latest 100 resorts added here.
The best of spring skiing is upon us so get after it while you can. Summer is quickly on its way.