GPS Trackers for Ski Trips

When planning a ski trip, or group expedition, safety and coordination are paramount. While smartphones are often the go-to device for navigation and communication in urban and built environments, they have significant limitations when used in cold, remote & rugged outdoor conditions. A GPS tracker like the MeiliGPS tracker and Meili app offers several key advantages over relying on smartphones. Here's why:

1. Superior Battery Life in Cold Conditions

Smartphone batteries are notorious for their rapid depletion in cold environments. Temperatures below freezing can cause battery performance to plummet, leaving your phone dead when you need it most. In contrast, GPS trackers like the MeiliGPS are specifically designed for outdoor use, with lithium-polymer batteries that endure harsh conditions and last significantly longer. The MeiliGPS tracker will retain its charge for over 7 days of continual use, even in sub-zero conditions. This reliability ensures that you have continuous tracking throughout your ski or snowboarding adventures without the constant worry of recharging.

2. Preserve Your Smartphone for Emergencies

Your smartphone is a lifeline in case of emergencies, allowing you to call for help or share your exact location - particularly if you have a high-end smart phone with a text-to-satellite option. However, using it as a navigation or tracking tool throughout the day increases the risk of draining its battery. By relying on a GPS tracker like MeiliGPS, which costs under £100 to buy, you can keep your phone charged and ready for emergency communications, providing an extra layer of safety. 

3. No More "Dead Battery" Coordination Issues

When skiing in a group, ensuring that everyone has a fully charged phone can be a logistical nightmare. Phones often run out of battery at different rates due to varying usage patterns, leaving some members without location tracking. With a GPS tracker system, you can ensure consistent tracking for everyone in the party, as the devices are purpose-built for extended operation and have uniform performance.

4. Better Signal Coverage in Challenging Terrain

Smartphones rely on cellular networks, which can be spotty or nonexistent in mountainous or remote ski areas. MeiliGPS trackers, using advanced NB-IoT technology, offer superior signal coverage compared to smartphones. This means you’ll have a much higher likelihood of maintaining connectivity in areas where traditional cellular service might fail, ensuring accurate location tracking for everyone in the group.

5. Enhanced Privacy and Data Control

Using smartphones for group tracking often requires explicit permissions to access each person’s phone's location. This process can feel intrusive and raise privacy and safeguarding concerns, especially in mixed groups, or on school trips when trying to manage children and young adults. With MeiliGPS trackers, all group members are visible on the Meili app without needing to share personal smartphone data. This dedicated system ensures that everyone’s privacy is safeguarded while maintaining seamless group tracking.

Conclusion

While smartphones are indispensable tools, they aren’t the best choice for winter sports adventures and school ski trips. And they're definitely the wrong tool for the job for ski schools and instructors working with clients! Cold-induced battery drain, unreliable signals, and privacy concerns make them less than ideal for group tracking and group expeditions.

MeiliGPS trackers provide a purpose-built solution with long battery life, reliable GPS & NB-iOT connectivity, and easy group visibility—all while letting you keep your smartphone charged and ready for emergencies. Before hitting the slopes, consider equipping your ski party with MeiliGPS trackers for a safer, more coordinated experience.