GOOGLE REMOVED SKI LIFTS FROM MAPS

[k2skier112]

Da Fuck!

I used that a lot when checking out the Alps

https://www.powder.com/news/google-r...ts-trails-maps

[m2711c]

bullshit indeed... that really useful to find those small places off the beaten path that you never hear about.


fact.

[ddocky]

Google found that users weren’t using the feature, instead turning to maps provided by the resorts themselves

What does this mean, using the feature? Are they going to remove lakes and ponds if no one "uses" them?

[406]

I noticed the removal a couple days ago when checking a ski area and figured it was a glitch. Seems like at least a few people used them? They also had street view on some runs, that get removed?

[powdork]

Were we able to click on them or something? Maybe they were hoping we would go google earth on them instead of resort maps?
This is bs and will hurt the independent resorts the most. Only way I ever found Kelly Canyon and I think Lookout Pass was via the lifts on gmaps (though I was looking for roadside tours). They’re also excellent for planning sidecountry tours if you’re new to a resort. Resort maps are not famous for their contour and elevation lines.

I noticed they were missing recently when I was calling out mt rose for saying they had 1800’ vertical open earlier this year (they actually changed it after)


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[powdork]

On a pc at the very bottom right next to the scale is ‘send product feedback’ link. Takes 5 seconds to write bring back ski lifts


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[subtle plague]

bullshit indeed... that really useful to find those small places off the beaten path that you never hear about.


fact.

thats why you use
https://map.geo.admin.ch/#/map?lang=..._umleitungen,f

for that.

fiction?

[fleaches]

I think they also generally show up on caltopo.

[robbo mcs]

I noticed for my local ski area that the lifts are gone, but if you go to street view all the skidoo mapping of runs is still there. A little weird, as I imagine all the streetview stuff would be more expensive for them to host than just the lifts

[Markeyz]

If you are relying on google you’re not doing it right and locals will know.

[Markeyz]

Punchy snow

[m2711c]

thats why you use
https://map.geo.admin.ch/#/map?lang=..._umleitungen,f

for that.

fiction?

thank you, very helpful.



fact.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Fuckin lame. Did it cost them anything to have them there?

[singlesline]

Yeah, I saw this announcement a couple weeks ago and was pretty annoyed.

I don't really use them when actually skiing, but I use them a LOT when exploring places on google maps.

Fuckin lame. Did it cost them anything to have them there?

I read somewhere that the pain point was in keeping them updated. They originally hired some third party to create them, but ski areas keep changing runs/lifts and then they'd get complaints that the map was inaccurate.

Keeping them up to date was deemed too much work for a fairly limited population of people who cares about them...so they got the classic Google Axe. Presumably Google is unwilling to rely on OpenStreetMap data for this--they want everything to be content they "own".

I think the remote lake/pond analogy is fair though. Ultimately the ski runs and chair lifts EXIST. They are on the ground, they are documented, they are named man made features. Even if few people look at them, isn't the goal of a map supposed to be...to map things?

[hawkgt]

Fuckin lame. Did it cost them anything to have them there?

this is what I don't get, why go through the effort to remove lifts from a satellite pic? any effort at all will cost $$

edit: ahhhh, the effort to add run names, etc...

Anyway, I did use it for quick looks at places and on the cell while out an about. Guess I wont use it anymore.

[singlesline]

If you just want to explore, OpenStreetMap ski area data is generally pretty good. Unfortunately the normal OpenSteetMap website defaults to summer so you can see the chairlifts, but you usually get bike trails instead of ski runs.

https://www.opensnowmap.org/ is a snow-specific interface to it (and you can turn on the normal streets/roads background) which gives you better display. Can use the "Get Info" tool to see estimated elevation profiles and stuff too.

I actually think it is better than what Google had--it has indications for gladed/mogul runs and even support for defining "areas" rather than straight line runs which is good for big bowls or gladed tree sections. Unfortunately this varies a bit by resort as it depends on who entered the data--a lot of big wide glades are still listed as a single run line.

Biggest downside is that none of the primary OSM interfaces have satellite imagery (since that costs money).