About
OpenSnow PEAKS is the go-to weather and snow forecasting service for anyone who spends time in the mountains. Built by meteorologists who are passionate about snow sports, the platform centers on its proprietary PEAKS forecast model, which delivers highly accurate elevation-specific hourly and daily forecasts for any location on Earth — from popular ski resorts to remote backcountry summits. Users can build a personalized Favorites list of ski resorts and mountain locations, enabling side-by-side condition comparisons to find the best powder days. Local Expert forecasters provide narrative, easy-to-digest daily briefings for major ski regions worldwide, cutting through the complexity of raw weather data. Premium subscribers unlock additional power tools: 15-day storm tracking with global precipitation and snowfall maps, 3D visualizations for snow depth and wildfire smoke, near-real-time satellite imagery to assess trail-level conditions, custom snow and severe weather alerts (lightning, hail, tornado) via the StormNet model, and a Forecast Range feature that reveals model agreement or uncertainty over the coming two weeks. OpenSnow PEAKS is trusted by professional athletes, casual skiers, and snow-sports communities worldwide. It is available on web, iOS, and Android, making it easy to plan mountain adventures from anywhere. Whether you're chasing fresh powder or avoiding a storm, OpenSnow PEAKS provides the depth of data and expert insight needed to make smarter decisions in the mountains.
Key Features
- PEAKS Forecast Model: Proprietary AI-driven model providing detailed hourly and daily forecasts for any location on Earth, with elevation-specific accuracy for mountains and ski resorts.
- Local Expert Forecasters: Daily narrative briefings from professional meteorologists covering popular ski regions worldwide, distilling complex weather data into actionable guidance.
- Global Weather Maps: Track storms up to 15 days out with precipitation, snowfall, snow depth, and wildfire smoke maps — including 3D visualizations and offline-capable satellite downloads.
- Custom Alerts via StormNet: Receive personalized snow report and forecast alerts for favorite resorts, plus real-time severe weather notifications for lightning, hail, tornado, and precipitation.
- Near-Real-Time Satellite Imagery: View recent satellite maps to see actual snow coverage on specific trails and mountain areas within the last few days before heading out.
Use Cases
- Planning ski and snowboard trips by comparing forecasted snow conditions across multiple resorts to find the best powder day.
- Tracking incoming storms up to 15 days in advance to schedule backcountry ski tours or snowshoeing expeditions safely.
- Monitoring near-real-time satellite imagery to assess trail snow coverage and decide which runs or zones are in optimal condition.
- Receiving real-time severe weather alerts (lightning, hail, tornado) while on the mountain to ensure personal safety.
- Following expert meteorologist briefings to understand nuanced mountain weather patterns without spending hours interpreting raw forecast data.
Pros
- Mountain-Specific Accuracy: Unlike general weather apps, OpenSnow is purpose-built for mountain and ski conditions, delivering elevation-aware forecasts that are consistently more accurate for snow sports planning.
- Expert Human Analysis: Local Expert forecasters add narrative context that purely algorithmic apps can't match, saving users hours of research and guiding them to the best conditions.
- Comprehensive Free Tier: The Base plan provides meaningful forecasting capabilities at no cost, making quality mountain weather data accessible without a subscription.
- Multi-Platform Availability: Seamlessly available on web, iOS, and Android, so planning happens wherever you are — at home or on the way to the mountain.
Cons
- Premium Required for Key Features: Custom alerts, satellite imagery, forecast range confidence, and extended storm tracking are locked behind the paid Premium tier, limiting the free experience.
- Niche Use Case: The platform is tightly focused on snow and mountain conditions, making it less useful outside of ski season or for users in non-mountainous regions.
- Subscription Cost for Occasional Users: For skiers who only hit the slopes a handful of days per season, the Premium subscription cost may be hard to justify compared to free general-purpose weather apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PEAKS model?
PEAKS is OpenSnow's proprietary weather forecast model designed specifically for mountain environments. It combines multiple global and regional weather models to generate highly accurate, elevation-specific hourly and daily forecasts for any location on Earth.
What is included in the free Base plan?
The Base plan includes access to the PEAKS model forecasts for any location, the ability to create a Favorites list of ski resorts and mountain spots, Local Expert daily briefings, and global weather maps for storm tracking.
What additional features does Premium unlock?
Premium adds custom snow and severe weather alerts (via StormNet), near-real-time satellite maps, forecast range confidence indicators, extended 15-day storm tracking, and offline satellite map downloads.
Is OpenSnow available on mobile devices?
Yes, OpenSnow is available as a mobile app on both iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android devices, in addition to the full web platform.
Can I use OpenSnow for locations outside of North America?
Yes, OpenSnow provides global location forecasts and covers ski resort regions around the world, including Europe, South America, and beyond, with Local Expert coverage for popular international ski destinations.
