We like to think that Trailspotting's Ski Tahoe GPS downloads provide very useful ski resort data (especially when superimposed over a topo map) but they're by no means complete. If you're looking for a detailed map of the mountain then we suggest you look no further than Mountain Dynamics' SnowRanger.

We took SnowRanger into the mountains and cast aside our fold-out paper resort map. In addition to the chairlifts and resort features covered by Trailspotting's downloads, SnowRanger also includes all ski runs (named, categorized, and colored), tree-lines, terrain parks and elevation contours. It proves to be very useful at unfamiliar resorts, but even on mountains that you know like the back of your hand it's a useful tool to help you review your day's activity on the chairlift and identify parts of the mountain you're neglecting.

Maps are available for 75 North American resorts and 420 European resorts. The California/Nevada map set we tested featured 14 resorts and though it included all of the large and medium sized resorts, it skipped some of the smaller Lake Tahoe resorts (which you can still find at Trailspotting!). Our Lake Tahoe tests proved the data to be accurate and the level of detailed information is just what every avid skier and snowboarder needs - and if you find the information is cluttering up your GPS device, you can just dial it down a notch.

Getting SnowRanger working was a pretty straightforward task, and the installation instructions were thorough yet simple. We installed it onto a Garmin eTrex Venture HC in under five minutes using the simplest and most direct installation method, and we also explored the MapSource installation method and encountered no hiccups with that either.

SnowDays
You might also want to check out SnowDays, Mountain Dynamics online GPS data visualization application where you can review their trails superimposed over resort maps complete with elevation profiles. It'll even upload your achievements to Facebook for you. SnowDays is freely available to all without purchase.

- SnowRanger from Mountain Dynamics
- SnowDays GPS tracking and statistics (free)