Dispatches

Top technology apps for tracking your season

2012-09-18T13:55:00Z

The air is crisp and snow has started falling in the mountains. There's no better time than now to start setting up your digital lifestyle to share and track your upcoming winter season. Here's a recap of the best tech to check out this season.

Instagram for sharing photos

Instagram is great for sharing photos. While most of us have used Facebook or Twitter or Flickr for taking good photos, Instagram arrived on the scene and focused on doing one thing really well: taking a photo and sharing it.

The approach paid off because Instagram has been bought by Facebook, but there is no requirement to have a Facebook account to use it. But, that means sharing photos, viewing them, and showing others what photos you "Like" on Facebook is a seamless experience.

Some features you may not be aware of:

Filters: to make your photos look like you chose specific lenses or film to create an even better-looking shot.
Share to social profiles: with just one tap you can connect to Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare or Tumblr to show everyone the photo you just took (some of us have different friends and different audiences on each network).
See what your friends liked: add friends and explore new photos or friends with great shots.
Photo map: visually see all your photos pinned to a map and watch as you build out a travel profile ("it looks like I took a ton of pictures in Vail this season").

Foursquare to remember where you aprés

I've been using Foursquare since early 2007 when it launched and I can look back at all the interesting places I've visited. I can remember where I had brunch when visiting Sausalito, where we went for dinner after the concert at Red Rocks, heck I can even be reminded that the last time I saw a concert at Red Rocks was June 2011.

I've found a lot of value in keeping track of where I've visited and what I've liked. Plus, when I'm in new places or looking for somewhere to go, I can pull up Foursquare on my phone and see where my friends have visited.

I've used Foursquare in Breckenridge a number of times last season to answer questions like:

Where should I go for breakfast? I immediately saw that Blue Moose is popular on foursquare and my friends have visited Daylight Donuts. I tried both and loved both.
What places have happy hour? It's great to stay on the hill an extra hour to grab a quick beer. But, after pulling up foursquare I learned that Breckenridge Brewery has $3 pints during happy hour. I visit the brewery all the time, now.
Where are my friends? I once got up to the mountains late and didn't know where to grab dinner. After a quick look, I found a few had checked in at Eric's, were watching a football game, and I was able to join them.

Learn more and sign up at foursquare.com where you can download both iOS and Android apps.

EpicMix for tracking where you ski and ride

Once of my favorite apps, though, is EpicMix. We all know by now it tracks the expected stats when visited Vail Resorts mountains: which slopes did I ski today, how many days on the mountain this season, etc.

But, there is more to EpicMix than meets the eye:

Broadcast a message to friends: wake up early and send a note to see where your friends want to meet up. Breckenridge or Keystone today?
Check the weather and conditions: can't make a decision on where to go? Watch the live webcams and check the reported totals. Make informed decisions all within the app.
Find your way around: instead of learning how to fold a map, just pull open your app! (OK, that was corny)

Plus, EpicMix does so much more with on-mountain photos and the new EpicMix Racing. Set up your account and connect it to your season pass at EpicMix.com.

Best tools for tracking your summer mountain activity

2012-05-15T13:22:00Z

If you're like me, the mountain adventures don't stop once the snow melts. In fact, underneath all the powder and moguls you'll find hiking trails, wildflowers, and mountain biking paths. So, why not get back out and stay active on and near your favorite resorts?

Since EpicMix only tracks winter rides up the chairlift, you may be wondering: what are some of the best ways to keep track of all your summertime activities? I've pulled together some of my favorite tools and others that you might find useful.

GPS-enabled devices like the Garmin Forerunner

These GPS-enabled watches and hand-held units are typically multi-sport tracking devices allowing you to map your runs, hikes, bikes and more. In addition to a visual plot showing where you went, you can track changes in altitude, average pace, fastest miles, and so on. I find Garmin to be the among the consensus as the best all-around tracking devices and the devices include excellent software and online tools for storing your data. Plus, a handful of social networks allow uploading the GPS data (GPX and TCX files) to keep track of your activity and connect with friends.

Alternatives include handheld GPS devices and other sport watches from makers like TomTom.

Pedometers like the Nike Plus FuelBand

This passive tracker allows you to get a measure (in "Fuel") of how much activity you completed in a day. By logging in online or pulling up the data on your smartphone, you can get a good sense of how far and how intense your hike was for the day. Since the pedometers are typically fixed on your body (clip to your waistband or on your wrist) you don't get a full range of activity, so these work best for walking sports. The FuelBand is especially fun since it provides a great way to brag to your friends and see a leaderboard of who was most active this week, similar to EpicMix.

Alternatives include pedometers, the FitBit, and the Jawbone Up.

Social networks like Strava

One of my favorite parts of getting out and staying active is the ability to look back and visualize the things I've done. Maybe its vainity but there's something about seeing a chart of all the miles I've run and all the trails I've hiked. If you're like me then you should find a social network like Strava to store all your runs and rides and see how you stack up against your friends. Sites like these are great eye candy: everything from the charts, to reports, to maps, and more. If a hiker walks in the woods and doesn't post it online... did it really happen?

Alternatives include RunningAHEAD and Nike Plus.

Now that you have the tools to keep track of your summer activities, there's no excuse left: get out there and keep active!

Top tech tips for the trail

2011-09-04T19:00:00Z

Skiing has become a gadget-friendly sport. Cameras, iPhones, iPods, Android phones, BlackBerrys, etc. all frequent the pockets of skiers across every resort in the country. Personally, I never leave a room without my smartphone on me, so It's no different on the mountain.

With my smart phone I have the best possible all-in-one device: a camera, music player, mini-computer, and GPS. In addition to a standard camera on the back, the iPhone 4 offers a front-facing camera (many people don't realize this, just click the arrows!) which allows effortless self-shots with friends on the chair. With dozens of apps for everything from snow and road conditions to EpicMix and GPS recording, there's a lot of potential to be unlocked.

Here are the best apps for skiing:

EpicMix
EpicMix is great for touching base with friends throughout the day. I always post the "where is everyone going?" broadcast while driving up in the morning. By the time we're near the tunnel I can make a smart decision about which mountain to go to (or avoid!) when my friends respond.

Plus, I can see which mountain I need to get some extra runs in at, as I'm a sucker for badges. If you're looking for a good approximation of your daily vertical feet ("I need to break 4,000!") this is a great app to check while waiting in lines or at lunch.

With the new photo capabilities of the app as well, EpicMix is becoming an all-in-one device too. For next season, Vail Resorts has announced that on-mountain photographers will scan your pass and take a picture of you that will be posted to your EpicMix account automatically -- all for free. So forget your own camera, EpicMix will be capturing the action anyway.

GPS apps
GPS tracking apps are one of those "how did we ski before this?" technologies. I'm a big fan of tracking numbers and adjusting. All you need to do is download one of the free apps (I use Ski Tracks), turn it on before you head up the first chair, and turn it off as you walk off the mountain. At the end of the day you're presented with fascinating stats including your top downhill speed and actual vertical feet covered for the day. Plus take pictures along the way and it will geotag and place them on a map which can be exported to Google Earth.

But, while you're busily fumbling for your gadgets, be smart. Here are some of my recurring fears:

Gadgets are easy to drop and lose in a quick "poof" of powder under the chair. Be sure to have a good grip on everything.
Gloves and poles succumb to gravity just as well as your electronic toys. Have a friend hold your gear if you're not certain with your juggling abilities.
If you must take a picture from the chair or the slopes, make sure you stay bundled. In extremes, it only takes a few minutes of exposure to catch frostbite. It's much harder to warm your hands back up once they get too cold. If you have a touchscreen, find some conductive liners to carry a charge through your fingers like the ETIP series from The North Face.
It's easy to take a camera out and have someone else accidentally grab it. I pick a specific pocket that I always put my phone in so I can quickly make sure it's still there.

I'm ready to get back out there, take lots of good photos, explore the mountain, and track my stats this season.

-- Devin Reams

How can I "go pro" with my GoPro?

2011-03-12T18:48:00Z

One of the new, latest fads in skiing and snowboarding is the Go Pro Camera -- a small, waterproof, high definition camera that allows people to film Point Of View action shots.

As the Go Pro's popularity has increased, many have been using it as a means to film friends as well, rather than a strictly POV camera. As many of you may think, the camera may seem too small to carry and have shaky, unstable shots while following a friend with the camera -- Well, look no more for alternative options, here's a little homemade invention that will allow you to achieve stability and function in getting those shots!

The Go Pro Pole Mount

Materials: Go Pro Sticky Mount (comes standard with go pro), old ski pole that you're willing to cut, saw of some sort (that can cut through metal), a mallet/hammer, a hard surface, safety protection, and a positive attitude!

Procedure:

1. First, you will need to cut the ski pole in half. It is essential to cut it where the pole has a wide enough diameter.

2. Next, you will need to put the cut end of the pole on a hard surface -- such as concrete -- and begin to flatten a small section of the pole, about 3 inches in length, with your hammer/ mallet.

3. Make sure the pole is flat in the 3 inch section on both sides!

4. Peel tape off of the Go Pro Mount, exposing sticky side.

5. Place Go Pro Mount on the flattened end of the pole.

6. Add some tape if you truly feel you need some extra support.

7. Slide your go pro into place and get filming!

Now that you've got a nice little pole to film from, your shots will be the smoothest, most stable, and most creative! Have fun and always remember to be safe when working with saws and hammers!

-- Cody Cirllo

Lessons from Snowcial: skiing goes tech

2011-01-11T17:12:00Z

Gone are the days of boring conferences filled with trading business cards, power point presentations with no personality and stuffy ballrooms. Tahoe Snowcial, the conference where social media meets snow sports, is changing everything.

Mixed in with on-hill EpicMix competitions and concerts from MC Hammer and OK Go, social media and snow sports innovators took the stage and spoke on the future of these two industries.

Here are the top 10 lessons learned - both legitimate and fun.

10. Experience skiing both in person and online - Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts
For Vail Resorts, the next big challenge is connecting a person's passion for the slopes with what they do when they go home. The answer? EpicMix.

"For us, it is our duty to find ways that allow people to fully engage with what they are doing," Rob Katz said in his presentation at Snowcial. "What EpicMix has been about is extending that feeling of a great ski day into the digital world."

9. Emotions are going to beat logic every time - Dr. J. Duncan Berry of Buyology, Inc.
According to Berry, we love the snow because of that connected moment. Social media has removed that barrier to experiencing something in person and that's why that works so well with the sport of skiing.

"The intangibles that you can't put on a spreadsheet - these are the ones that win," Berry said in his Snowcial presentation.

8. Go big with confetti - OK Go
Giving a concert in the South Shore Room at Harrah's Casino in Lake Tahoe? You'd better have truck loads of confetti and hand bells as well as a GoPro donned microphone. For the in-tune and online crowd at Snowcial, these fabulous displays from OK Go were just the thing to end the conference. Check out Josh Williams', founder of Gowalla, pictures from the show.

7. Ski with a guide - EpicMix Snowcial points challenge
On the last day of Snowcial, attendees competed in teams of four to get as many pins and vertical feet as possible. No matter how hard you skied (my team got over 25,000 vertical feet and two very difficult pins), you were nobody without a guide. The winning teams and skiers used guides to navigate the mountain and bypass lift lines. Next year, we'll cheat too. ;)

6. Unless you're the president, tweet yourself - MC Hammer
Just like in his action-packed concerts, MC Hammer likes to interact with his audience online. According to the rap and Twitter superstar, unless your name is Obama and there is a critical emergency, you have to tweet yourself or else there is no point.

"It's about humanizing the brand," MC Hammer said in the opening remarks to Snowcial. "Everyone wants to see a deeper connection between themselves and the person on the other side."

5. Social media isn't one-size-fits-all - Chris Elliott of MSNBC and National Geographic
According to Elliott, some businesses and individuals need to look at social media differently and gauge whether or not some pieces make sense for their brand.

"I'm just playing a devil's advocate, but I don't know if the social space is completely necessary with everyone."

4. Beware of cougars - Laura Lippay of Nine By Blue
Are you a young male with a goggle tan? Then you should probably check out Laura Lippay's flow charts. You might become arctic, Alaskan, or Western Cougar bait. Yes, there are different breeds and different things to watch out for.

3. Happiness takes experience and memories - Dave Morin, founder of Path
"The web is not about information," Dave Morin said in his Snowcial presentation. "It's about people. The single most important thing we can do for the internet is putting people's identities online."

Morin, who came from the ski team at the University of Colorado and went to Silicon Valley to help create Facebook places, thinks we've reached a state of equilibrium with our social networks. The answer? Choosing a small group of people to share important memories with. The true path to happiness, according to Morin, is taking that profound experience and turning it into memories.

2. When in doubt, Hugh Jackman - Josh Williams, co-founder of Gowalla
Sitting in a series of presentations on social media? Throw in a few slides of gratuitous Hugh Jackman pictures. In Josh Williams' presentation there were three.

(Fun fact: The name of Gowalla was created from 'Go' and 'Wallaby' after the founders saw the movie "Australia," starring Hugh Jackman.)

1. There is no substitute for actually visiting a place - Josh Williams, co-founder of Gowalla
Josh Williams asked the Snowcial crowd, "Why do you post pictures on Facebook?" to which everyone secretly responded "'cause I want my friends to like my stuff!" Williams said we are all looking for social validation. We all want people to share our experiences. We send those postcards and post pictures to have that "Wish you were here" moment.

However incredibly designed and easy to access those "wish you were here" moments are, according to Williams' there is no substitute for actually going and visiting a place.

"Game mechanics and badges aren't the special sauce that makes everything tasty," Williams said. The trick is "connecting that moment with their lives."

Need more reasons to hit up Snowcial last year? Check out this article from Transworld, the #Snowcial twitter feed and Snowcial on Facebook. See more photos from Snowcial here.

Sidenote: SHOE

--Morgan Bast

Activate your EpicMix account now

2010-12-24T14:28:00Z

The new application from Vail Resorts that can track your vertical feet and days skied as well as award you for your accomplishments on the hill is now live in beta form!

Activate your account now to share your achievements on Facebook and Twitter. You'll get the most out of EpicMix if you activate your account and choose "social" to connect all your data to your social networks.

If you have a season pass or are a PEAKS card holder, you can see all of your results from the season so far. EpicMix has been actively tracking your stats since Keystone resort opened on Nov. 5, so all of your data have been saved including vertical feet skied, the pins you've earned and what resorts like Heavenly ski resort, Breckenridge, Keystone, Beaver Creek, or Vail you've skied at.

Some pins take effort to achieve. Check out the top 6 hardest pins to earn here.

Besides earning pins, bragging rights, and total knowledge of your skiing or snowboarding capabilities, you can also enter in for a chance to win $100,000. As EpicMix has been tracking every passholder's vertical feet skied so far this season, money was entered into the EpicMix Contest pot. $1 was put in for every 30,000 vertical feet. Recently, that pot maxed out at $100,000. The only way to get a chance at that pot is by activating your account by Feb. 22, 2011. Check out the full rules here.

If you have questions on EpicMix, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions or if you have feedback or comments, please submit it using the feedback tab. EpicMix is still in beta mode so we'd love to hear from you if you have questions or comments. You can also review a list of known issues with the website that will be remedied in early 2011. In addition, you can call the Vail Resorts customer service line at 800-743-0242 to receive answers to your questions or report any issues.

"We want to be certain that we take the time to ensure each new piece of EpicMix functionality is ready before it is launched. We recognize there remain a number of known issues surrounding the robust functionality of this ground-breaking online and mobile application and we intend to continue to work through them with real-time feedback from EpicMix users," said Heidi Kercher-Pratt, chief marketing officer for Vail Resorts.

More functionality like comparing your friends as well as the iPhone and Droid apps will be coming in January 2011.

Other things you'll see on EpicMix website as well as on the smartphone site:

A live mountain feed of what is going on at each of the resorts
A points tracker that lets you know what sort of score you're earning on the mountains
Explanations of each pin that you've earned
The amount of vertical feet you've skied each day
Your rank in the EpicMix leaderboard derived from a percentile earned. The leaderboard is updated every night.
How many days you have skied

-- Morgan Bast

How to shoot pictures in the cold

2010-11-09T12:52:00Z

It's pretty rough for aspiring ski photographers out there. Half the time the camera doesn't work or the lighting isn't great or that one perfect shot was just too hard to get. Add in the cold and it's almost too easy to call it quits.

Even for professionals like Jack Affleck, director of photography at Vail Resorts, shooting in the cold can be rough, yet rewarding, he says.

"An ideal day for us out on the hill is 15 degrees [Fahrenheit]," Affleck says. "Don't be discouraged by the temperature - it's the best snow and no one is out there. If you want those great fluffy action shots, [the temperature] is going to be between zero and 15 degrees."

That may sound too cold now, but when you're looking back at your great photos from your ski vacation, you'll only have warm, fuzzy memories. Take these tips from Affleck to make sure your photos turn out great.

Keep your hands warm.
There's no sense in losing a finger to frostbite, Affleck says. If you shoot quickly, both your subject and your skin will thank you later.

"Know to go inside," Affleck says. "Things go wrong quickly when it's cold outside. Mother Nature can sometimes be a cruel equalizer. She can slap you. Be aware of the people around you, yourself, and your ability. Thinking gets compromised when temps drop below zero."

To keep himself warm on frigid days, Affleck will wear spring gloves (so he still has dexterity), gets the shot off quickly and gets his hands back into his jacket to revive them.

Keep your camera warmer.
A few things happen when your camera gets cold; the shutter speed slows down, battery life gets sucked up, and the lenses can get frozen.

"Keep your camera inside your coat if possible," Affleck says. Another ingenious suggestion he has to keep that camera warm? Put a pair of Toasti Toes on the camera itself. "It'll block some of the view screen but it is something to keep your camera warm if you are out on one of the near zero days."

Another problem cameras have in frigid temperatures is going in for lunch. Taking your freezing camera into a humid, hot lodge may kill your camera for the day. Moisture will gather on the lens, fogging over, and it will freeze when it gets back outside. Some cameras have up to seven elements in the lens - making it impossible to wipe off moisture on more than the first element. Affleck keeps his backpack and camera outside so that the camera stays at the same temperature and is ready to go after he's warmed up.

Embrace the cold.
According to Affleck, the best conditions for taking a great photo are in the cold. No one's around, the skies are clear, and the snow is as light as can be. Preparing yourself for freezing temperatures will help you get off the perfect shot, he says.

"If it's a brilliantly bright and it's freezing cold, we'll go for it," Affleck says. "Embrace the cold and be prepared for it."

To get ready for those below zero days, Affleck will acclimate his body for the cold by not wearing a coat the first few times he walks to the car or purposely sitting outside for lunch on a chilly day. He'll also make sure his subjects don't look cold in the photographs he takes - asking them to remove their neck gaiters and extra layers.

"You don't want people to look at your photo and say 'Man, that guy looks freezing.' You would never know that the skier that just has a hat and goggles on also has a neck gaiter in his pocket," Affleck says. "Don't make a cold photo. Make a great photo in the cold."

--Morgan Bast

In previous articles in this photography series, Affleck spoke about taking pictures in flat light, getting a great action shot, and compiling the perfect ski vacation album. "Like" Jack on Facebook to be sure to see the latest images from this talented photographer.

To see more action shots from Jack and get explanations on how he set up each one, check out our gallery on Jack Affleck's photos explained.

How to get a perfect ski vacation album

2010-10-22T15:57:00Z

Bragging rights on Facebook are reserved for those with the coolest pictures in the most extreme locations - a photo album with the ability to make your friends drool with jealousy. At least, that's the idea.

For most, the standard "this is me smiling. This is me with a pretty backdrop. This is my kid doing something cute," isn't going to cut it. While your friends may like to see what you're up to, if you really want to make them jealous , your pictures need to be perfect.

Jack Affleck, director of photography at Vail Resorts, knows the drill in compiling the perfect ski vacation album. Last week he shared how to take great action shots and the week before he talked to us about taking ski pictures in flat light - this week he'll explain how to combine these skills with a variety of shots into the perfect ski vacation album.

"You are putting together a photo story," Affleck says. Here is how to take pictures to do that.

Get the details
When Affleck looks through most vacation albums, he sees horizontal pictures that are taken from eye level and five feet away. While those are nice, he says, they can get predictable and a bit boring.

"Try and go through a day of shooting without snapping a shot while standing up and five feet away," Affleck says. "Get detailed. Shoot someone's hands, and get that small moment. A leaf, a wine glass or mug of cocoa. Anything that can be part of a picture montage,"

The idea, he says, is that when you are looking at all the thumbnails of your pictures, you're seeing a bunch of different varieties. Other ways to mix it up include shooting a picture cockeyed or off angle horizontal, getting down on your belly for a different shot, and shooting looking down on the subject. In other words, "get funky," Affleck says.

Get up early and stay out late
"Great photographs are usually inconvenient," Affleck says. "Most people have a leisurely breakfast, get on the mountain around 10:30am, then complain about the harsh light, lack of fresh snow and crowds. They'll take some photos at noon and wonder why they didn't come out great. On one of your vacation days, get up before everyone else, be the first one on the chair and shoot that beautiful magic."

By getting your photography over with in the first or last half hour of the day (when Affleck says 80 percent of great ski photos happen), not only will your friends be impressed with your incredible lighting skills, but your family will thank you for giving the shutter button a break.

Create a playful moment among friends
Not all the best pictures are of the little ones skiing, Affleck says. Asking your subjects to show off the environment in other ways can give your album a fresh look of your vacation. The tricky part is getting them to cooperate without being too cheesy or awkward.

"Say I need to capture the joy of life," Affleck says. "I encourage [the subjects] to overact and be goofy. Be silly. Roll around. Look at the camera after all that's happened and you'll be surprised what a cool shot that gets."

Other suggestions Affleck has for getting your friends feeling loose? Think blue steel. Yes, the ridiculous Zoolander reference has a place in your album. Take a few shots of the model pose and you'll be happy with the smiles that happen after - and the pictures that are the result.

-- Morgan Bast

Check out Jack's other tutorials on shooting ski photography in flat light and how to take ski action pictures. Coming next: how to take pictures in the cold. Got a question for Jack on shooting ski photography? Ask him on our Facebook page.

"Like" Jack on Facebook to be sure to see the latest images from this talented photographer.

How to take ski action pictures

2010-10-12T13:43:00Z

It's a common story: you press the button, the camera takes too long to think because it's a basic point-and-shoot and its cold out on the mountain, and you miss that perfect shot of your buddy hucking himself off a cliff. Rather than curse the heavens and chuck your camera off that same cliff, listen to Jack.

Jack Affleck is the director of photography at Vail Resorts and last week spoke to us about how to take a picture in flat light. He says he's missed his fair share of action shots because of lag time and has some suggestions so that it won't happen again.

"A lot of the times I screw up because I didn't think things through completely," Affleck says. "What you have to do is think about the photo you are going to take and plan it. It's more about the environment and playing in it."

Take these tips to take better action ski photos.

Plan the shot
"A lot of people look up the run and pan the camera, shooting pictures as [the skier] comes down," Affleck says. "I would suggest framing a great background and having the person ski into the frame." To make that one great shot, you have to trust your skier and your abilities. Affleck says you only really need one photo, but most people take a series of pictures hoping one will work out. You never know when that lag time after the shot will kill the perfect picture. Click the button once and know it will work.

Communicate
Affleck is extremely specific with his subjects. Communication is essential. After discussing what shot he'll be going for, he'll ski down to a mid-point in the run and throw a snowball in the exact place he wants a skier to turn so that person knows the target and aims for it. He'll also explain what the shot will look like and what kind of action he wants the skier to make.

"Find that spot where you can create one big, explosive moment," Affleck says. "Have them carry the speed that will generate the intensity and energy in one big move." Affleck suggests coaching your skier or rider in diving into the snow and bringing a lot of energy to the shot.

"Shooting skiing and riding is difficult because it's often times just shooting the person the way they normally ski. You want to have them get after it and dive into the snow where they almost stop - that photo will really emphasize the energy, the snow, and the play in the environment."

Set your camera up right
What kind of camera takes the best action shots? "The most expensive one," Affleck says. But if you don't want to drop $8,000 just to get that one action shot, put the camera on the right settings.

"Program mode will be the slowest," Affleck says. He suggests putting the camera on "Kids & Pets" which is great at getting sports shots and not using flash, as that slows everything down. In the end, "the camera you have in your hand is the best one" he says, as missing a photo is the worst shot to take.

Know the environment
Taking a sweeping groomer shot is really different from taking a picture of someone bursting out of powder. Knowing the difference and setting up the shot to match is key, Affleck says.

"It's actually very difficult to make a great, compelling groomer shot," Affleck says. "One of the things to do is emphasize the corduroy by lying down and putting the camera on the snow. You get these corduroy ridges that look like they are eight inches high.

"On the other hand, it's pretty hard to take a bad powder shot, according to Affleck. Shoot a person from the side, from down below, whatever - just frame the shot and get the timing right.

Wait for it.
People get too excited when they take action shots and press the button too early, Affleck says. "Frame the shot. Toss the snowball. Talk. Wait for it. Wait for it. Wait for it," he says. Don't get sucked into the "Oh my god, this is it," mind frame. Timing your shot just right will ensure that the picture comes out just right.

Jack spoke last week about taking pictures in flat light. Next week, he'll explain how to compile the perfect vacation album. Want Jack to explain something else about ski photography? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter. "Like" Jack on Facebook to be sure to see the latest images from this talented photographer.

To see more action shots from Jack and get explanations on how he set up each one, check out our gallery on Jack Affleck's photos explained.

8 Techie Must-Haves for the Trail

2010-10-07T16:09:00Z

Love technology? Do you have the latest and greatest gadgets? Make your hiking, camping or backpacking pack trail-ready with these eight technical must-have pieces of gear.

Freestyle Nomad
Wear this watch on your wrist and you'll be completely in tune for your journey. An Outside magazine top pick for 2010, you'll not only get your basic digital watch but also a barometer, altimeter, compass, alarm clock, chronograph, and temperature display. $160

HIKE GPS App
Forget phone calls and wifi, make your iPhone really work for you with this app's collection of more than 300 free recreational maps that span the U.S. Brought to you by the American Hiking Society, the maps are embedded onto the iPhone so you'll never have to wait for a signal deep in the backcountry. It will also help you geo-code your pictures so you can accurately track your adventures. $9.99

AllSport GPS App
Want to know how far you're traveling, how fast and how many calories you're burning? This iPhone app steps in to track your elevation, distance, top and average speeds, and calories burned when you're out running, hiking or biking. Import it online when you're back home and you'll be analyzing your data until the next time you hit the trail. $5.99 per month, plus normal usage rates apply.

Pentax Optio W90
No trek would be complete without a camera. But you want one that's going to perform in any condition and still produce beautiful images. Voted one of Outside's Gear of the Year, this camera is waterproof (up to 20 feet), weatherproof and shockproof while boasting specs comparable to other marketplace hits: 12 megapixels, 720p HD video, and 28-140mm digital zoom. $330

Quik Pod
It's not always easy to find a random person to snap your photo when you come across an eye-catching view. Attach this hand-held extendable tripod to your camera, DSLR or point-and-shoot, set the timer, and you won't have to worry about capturing a too-close image of yourself or slicing someone out of the frame. $49.95

Princeton Tec Remix
Whether you're out as the sun's setting or you're up early to knock out some trail before the sun rises, let this headlamp guide your way. Easy to use with only one button to tinker with, it can run for up to 200 hours on the lowest setting. $45

Camelbak Vantage 35/Vista 32
Add this gear-plus extra layers, a tent and sleeping bag-to this lightweight pack that works well for day or weekend trips. Backpacker magazine named the Vantage (men's specific) and Vista (women's specific) the best hydration pack in its 2010 gear review. This pack includes a 100 ounce reservoir to make sipping fluids a cinch. $150

Oakley Split THUMP
These sunglasses are coupled with an MP3 player and removable speakers. You'll protect your eyes from the elements and you can opt to rock out or stash the speakers when you want to enjoy nature's sweet sounds. $299

-- Kate Bongiovanni

How to take ski pictures in flat light

2010-10-05T14:01:00Z

"God bless anyone that tries ski photography," Jack Affleck, director of photography at Vail Resorts says. With the elements to battle, skiers' egos to stroke and harsh lighting - Affleck may be right. Ski photography is hard.

But it doesn't have to be. In this series on taking great ski pictures, Affleck shows the amateur photographer how to avoid the typical pitfalls of capturing your vacation: overexposure, dull action shots, and consistently boring subjects. Follow these easy tips and you'll go home with a Facebook profile-worthy shot or something that will fit perfectly into the Christmas card.

"What kind of camera is best to use in flat light? A flat camera!" Affleck jokes. He says he avoids shooting in flat light when possible, but knows what to do when it's absolutely necessary.

These tips are designed to be used with a point and shoot camera and not to be considered advanced photo tips.

Fill in flash
"People tend to underexpose their images when they are shooting in flat light," Affleck says."Shooting on snow, especially with bright sun, is difficult because the camera is seeing three times more light than is really there because you are getting that reflection. Taking control of the camera and putting a little flash in flat light will really enhance everything."

Affleck recommends overriding your camera's manual settings to always use a flash. "Never ask, always flash," Affleck says. For action shots in flat light, the situation changes slightly. Use flash when you want to help your friends update their Facebook profiles, Affleck says.

Switch the mode
Shooting pictures of your friends? Put the camera into portrait mode. Action shot? Use the "Kids & Pets" setting. Manually overriding the camera's program mode will allow more light to filter in through the flash and will capture the smaller details more easily.

"Turn these obstacles into opportunities," Affleck says.

Adjust later
"If you want to take better images, take control of the camera first then take control of the photograph afterward," Affleck says. Adjusting the exposure, contrast and saturation of any photograph, but especially those taken in flat light, will amp up the shot and bring out what you were trying to capture in the first place.

"These three things are what's missing in flat light [photos]," Affleck says. Any photo editing program from Photoshop to iPhoto can adjust exposure,contrast, and saturation. Microsoft Office Picture Manager, which comes standard on most PCs, can adjust contrast.

Forget the photo, enjoy the day
Getting frustrated with flat light? "Don't worry about missing the shot and go and enjoy the day," Affleck says. He says he personally tries to avoid shooting in flat light where possible, but appreciates any photos he can get. "Any photo is a good photo, but a great photo is one that's usually planned."

Knowing when the best light hits and getting out there to get that shot then is inconvenient, Affleck says, but worth it to avoid taking bad pictures in flat light. Plus, going out early to get pictures gives you the rest of the day to enjoy the mountains.

Next week, Affleck explains how to nail the action shot. Got a request for photography tips from Jack? Let us know on Facebook.

-- Morgan Bast

Runkeeper: Summer & Winter App

2010-09-02T15:22:00Z

I got done with a summer run both wishing for the coolness of winter and hoping that a new application I tried out, Runkeeper, worked well. The application, which is built to help runners track their runs, works really well. It takes the GPS signal from your phone and uses the data to track where you went and how fast your pace was.

It worked flawlessly telling me that I am a slow runner. Is it snowing at Vail Ski Resort yet?

Thumbing through the app's options, I found "Snowboarding," "Cross-Country Skiing" and "Downhill Skiing" as sports it can track. The best summer application just might be the best winter one too. The GPS data used for tracking running could be used to track your turns.

If you are shopping for a GPS unit to track your runs on the mountain, check your pocket because it might already be there. The huge downside is that the app will suck your battery life, but at the price in the app store, it is a bargain. I plan on using it to track a few runs (especially if I find a great line that I want to share with you fine buzz readers).

Runkeeper works on the Android and iPhone, and is damn impressive (if I may say so myself). The big question for me is if it will work in the back bowls at Vail Ski Resort where service generally drops. There is promise, however, as GPS will work in some very remote places.

Has anyone used this application in past seasons?

Tech On The Mountain

2010-08-13T17:31:00Z

There is an interesting and long brewing debate in reference to technology on the mountain. From new types of gear to music players to cameras, it seems that everyone has a different take on what is acceptable.

I remember just a few years ago when you could hire someone to film a run and would give you a dvd of it. Now, an HD camera setup runs you under $300 and the footage can be uploaded without a computer. The only constant to mountain culture and technology is change. It seems everyone is armed with an iPhone or Android to take pictures, video and instantly share information.

The experience is shifting from personal to community, from solitude of cutting turns to the experience of having a group participate.

There is an interesting perspective with all of this: is tech shifting the experience on the mountain or is the mountain shifting what we see in technology? Can we look at trends in New York and see if they will effect Blue Sky Basin’s grilling culture? Likewise, how can the devises designed to work well in the cellphone less back bowls help out messaging platforms?

It is an exciting time to look at technology on the mountain. For those of us that are more excited about the gadget in our pocket than the planks on our feet, it has never been better.

Looking forward to the winter!

GPS Without the Extra Weight

2010-08-05T13:30:00Z

Pros: Works on any Android phone with GPS capability; exports tracks to Google Maps or Google Earth; lots of features

Cons: GPS via phone is not as accurate as a handheld model; running GPS drains your phone battery quickly

Bottom line: If you have an Android phone with GPS and want to be able to record tracks, open them in Google Maps or Earth, and share them with friends, this is a great app. Not perfect, but very good.

MSRP: Free from Android Market.

If you're like me, your smartphone makes most trips into the backcountry with you. Often, though, I want to be able to record the data of a given outing: location, distance, speed, etc., but don't want to bring a full GPS unit with me.

Welcome "My Tracks", an Android-based app that turns your smartphone into a full-fledged GPS.

Free from the Android Market, My Tracks can be downloaded and used on any Android phone with GPS capability. Once installed, the app is very user-friendly and intuitive. Simply hit "Record track" from the menu, wait for the GPS to find your position, and start your adventure. En route, you can check your distance, elevation gain, speed, and, if you have data coverage, see real-time views of your location via Google Maps.

When your trip is over, you simply stop recording, save the track to your phone's memory, and can then share it with friends, share it with the Google community, or export it as a link, GPX, KML, or CSV file.

I use My Tracks on bike rides, hikes, climbs, and most any outdoor adventure where I'm hoping to track my movements and record data. Most recently, I used My Tracks to record my Grizzly Peak to Lenawee Mountain traverse. While not 100% accurate, My Tracks got 98% of the 17 mile, 5 hour loop correct. Check out the screenshot from Google Earth below, and also download the KML file of the trip here.