Even though you probably won’t get a cell signal, you should still bring your smartphone into the backcountry. And not just for taking summit selfies. Here are five reasons why:
Geobackcountry
A made-for-mobile guidebook to 100 ski tours in B.C.’s Rogers Pass that includes maps, pictures, descriptions and, with GPS, plots current location.
Device: Android only * Cost: $30 Web: geobackcountry.com
Snog and iSis
Using WiFi or Bluetooth and GPS, these apps turn smartphones into avalanche beacons, but they aren’t compatible with traditional beacons and take practice.
Device: Snog for Android, iSis for Apple * Cost: both free Web: Snog, avalanchebuddy.com; iSis, isis-application.com
Ullr Labs MAST
A digital field notebook to create a snowpit profile, record observations, measure slope angles and aspect, compare to avalanche forecasts and share it.
Device: Android and Apple * Cost: $10 Web: ullrlabs.com
Backcountry Accessor
Your best friend in an emergency: a trip-planning area, rescue form that auto fills, and avalanche-skills cheat sheets and tutorials.
Device: Apple * Cost: free Web: backcountryaccess.com
CAC Mobile app
Stay up-to-date on current avalanche conditions and forecasts across the country and submit your own observations.
Device: Android and Apple * Cost: free Web: avalanche.ca
