How AI is shaping the slopes - the future of skiing and snowboarding

The fact that AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a hot topic is hardly lost on anyone. Some say it will revolutionise most things in the world, while others think it's all a bit overblown and won't make such a huge difference. Although skiing is a very physical activity that has little to do with software and computer technology, there are still areas where AI could impact skiing and snowboarding in the future.

AI offers opportunities to improve skiing, safety, and the overall experience on the slopes, and when it comes to ski resorts and nature, it can affect the operation of ski resorts and how they think about sustainability. We thought we'd give you a deeper insight into how AI could impact the future of skiing and snowboarding.
Fancy guy with fancy helmet and fancy goggles

1.How AI-driven innovations can impact equipment

Although skiing itself doesn't feel very technology-orientated, equipment development has been constantly advancing over the years, and with AI, the boundaries can be pushed even further. Imagine having ski boots that can adjust their fit in real time according to where and how you are skiing at the moment, or why not skis and snowboards that adjust their stiffness based on the snow conditions. That we may have smarter equipment equipped with sensors and AI algorithms that monitor how you move down the slopes and analyse your balance, speed and skiing technique to improve and provide real-time feedback is hardly an impossibility.

As for helmets and goggles, they can be equipped with cameras and sensors that can warn you of hazards around you and suggest which line you should take down the slope, just as an example. In addition, your goggles could act as a screen to view this information. These advances could help both professionals and beginners improve their skills while staying safe.

There could certainly be a good deal more areas where AI could be used to improve ski equipment, and no doubt innovative people will come up with all sorts of improvements in the coming years.

2. Ski resort operations and safety

When it comes to ski resorts, there are several different areas where AI can help with improvements to make it safer, more efficient and overall a more enjoyable experience.

Snowmaking and maintenance

For skiing to have a future, snowmaking is something that needs to be improved in the future due to climate change and the increased temperatures on Earth. Making your own snow is very water and energy intensive, but with the help of AI algorithms, analysing weather patterns, humidity and current snow quality could be improved, both for when and how to make artificial snow.

Another area is predictive maintenance systems for infrastructure, where AI can identify current and upcoming problems, thereby avoiding downtime and potential risks of accidents. This could lead to both fewer breakdowns and safer environments.

Predicting avalanches

Predicting when avalanches might occur is one of the most significant safety applications that AI can help with. Data that can be analysed includes snowpack stability, temperatures and historical patterns, and using this information, AI can provide risk assessments, even in real time. This can help immensely in preventing avalanche accidents, especially for off-piste skiers, where we currently see fatal accidents several occasions each ski season.

Optimisation of lift queues

With the help of AI, ski resorts can quickly analyse visitor flows and where skiers are and move around the most. This data can be used to make suggestions to skiers about which areas to avoid at the moment and where to deploy more staff, optimising queues and preventing lift 'congestion'.

3. personalised experience

AI-powered apps and devices could enhance your personalised experience and tailor your ski day to your individual preferences and skill level. Imagine an AI assistant that knows your skills, the type of terrain you prefer and environments you want to avoid. This assistant could then help you with, for example:
  • Suggest the best slopes for the day, based on weather and snow conditions and crowd density.
  • Draw up routes for which lifts and slopes you should take to get from point A to B.
  • Give you the nearest place to stop and have a beer.
  • Give you suggestions on which restaurants on the slopes you are most likely to like best.
  • Inform you about where your technique is lacking, what you should train on, etc.
  • Recommend upgrades or adjustments to your equipment, which may change over time as you become a better skier or snowboarder.

4. Training and preparation for the ski season

Before the ski season starts is a 'critical time' for anyone who wants to get the most out of their skiing when the winter season arrives. During this period, you can work on improving your skills and physical abilities in preparation for what's to come, and this is an area where AI can become an important part.

Virtual simulations

Advanced simulators, powered by AI, could be used to mimic real-life conditions on the slopes for both skiers and snowboarders. These virtual environments would be used to hone technique, allow you to experience different types of terrain and snow conditions, and for the competitive skier, you could imagine yourself competing against an AI opponent, which could very well be yourself based on previous runs. Much like a flight simulator is for a pilot.

Training after analysing technology

By analysing data collected during the previous ski season, assuming you have equipment as we discussed in point one, AI can create a training programme tailored to your skills and technique. AI can identify muscles that need strengthening and balance exercises that would be good for you and provide you with a programme to follow in preparation for the coming season.
Yellow sign with avalanche warning

5. Increased safety with the help of AI

Skiing is not an entirely harmless sport. Injuries and even deaths happen on a regular basis and it's best not to underestimate the dangers, even if you're a good skier. To improve the safety of both skiers and snowboarders in the future, AI can play a very important role.

Real-time warnings

We already touched on this in point one, how cameras and sensors on your equipment could provide useful data for AI to improve safety. Your goggles could act as a screen (smart glasses are already a reality) or your helmet could contain a speaker through which AI can speak. Through these media, you will receive warnings of potential dangers in your vicinity, such as icy patches, difficult slopes or fast skiers in your close surroundings.

Drones for search and rescue

Accidents happen, which is why rescue workers and ski patrols are an important element on the slopes, especially in larger resorts with large ski areas. With the help of smart drones flying around almost constantly and monitoring, skiers that have serious falls could be detected faster. If they are also equipped with thermal imaging cameras and advanced navigation capabilities, avalanche rescue and searching for lost people would be greatly facilitated and probably save many lives every year.

6. Sustainability and environmental impact

One of the biggest challenges for the future of skiing is climate change. Here, AI can help ski resorts adapt to these changes and minimise their environmental impact in the following ways.

Sustainable snowmaking

AI-powered snowmaking systems can ensure that artificial snow is only created when and where it is needed, reducing energy and water consumption. This would allow ski resorts to operate more sustainably without compromising the skiing experience.

Climate monitoring

AI tools can help ski resorts identify long-term climate trends, enabling them to plan for future seasons. Resorts can use this data to diversify what is on offer, not just during the winter season but all year round, to remain viable despite the changing climate we have today.

Carbon footprint tracking

AI apps could help skiers identify the carbon footprint of their ski trips and encourage them to make more environmentally friendly choices. For example, the apps could find different carpooling options, such as shared transfers, trains and other public transport, and suggest more sustainable accommodation options.

7. marketing and engagement

Ski resorts could use AI to improve their marketing and engage more easily with their visitors.

Personalised content

Resorts could use AI to create personalised highlights of a skier's day on the slopes using footage from on-site cameras and drones, as well as create a map of their movements throughout the day. These videos, photos and other media can then be used by visitors on their social media accounts, which is not only seen as a positive service for the visitor but also provides free and important marketing for the ski resort.

Virtual reality experiences

AI-powered virtual reality could allow potential visitors to 'test drive' a ski resort before booking. From their couch, they could explore the slopes, experience the views from the top of the mountain or even practice skiing in a simulated environment.

Final words

AI could be used in many different ways in the future of skiing and snowboarding. Some of the things we've listed here are 'wild fantasies', perhaps best seen as possibilities, while others are already or are well on their way to becoming reality.

Is there more that AI could be used for than we have mentioned? Undoubtedly, as long as there is innovation, there will be new solutions and improvements, even if not all will be adopted. Time will tell - but certainly AI will play a role in the future in one way or another, even in skiing.
 
     
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