The Highlands vs Smith Optics
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
The Highlands
Get real-time updates on ski lift and run status, trail maps, and resort webcams. Purchase lift tickets, book lodging, and browse amenities. Receive exclusive on-site deals and notifications.
- Ski lift and run status
- Expanded trail map views
- Resort webcams
- Weather and snow conditions
- Lift ticket purchases
- Lodging reservations
- Push notifications for deals
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Featuring ski lift and run status, expanded trail map views, resort web cams, and always up to date weather and snow conditions. You'll easily be able to purchase lift tickets, make lodging reservations, browse resort amenities, and more. The ability to enable push notifications for real-time updates on lift status, snow conditions, and exclusive, limited time only resort deals while you are on-site, are available to app users only.
Smith Optics
Create custom-fit ski and snowboard goggles using 3D scanning technology. The app captures your facial data to design a personalized frame, ensuring a perfect fit with no light leaks or pressure points for maximum comfort and an expanded field of view.
- 3D face scanning for custom fit
- Personalized frame design
- Eliminates light leaks and pressure points
- Expands field of view
- 3D printed goggles
- Digital scan to design team submission
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See the mountain like you've never seen it before thanks to goggles custom made to match your unique face shape. The Smith Imprint 3D goggles use 3D printing technology to create a made-to-order fit based on digital scans of your face. Say goodbye to light leaks, air gaps and pressure points. Say hello to the widest field of view possible and true all-day comfort, no matter your face shape. The Smith custom scanning application creates a frame designed to match your face and your face only. Each frame is 3D printed and matched to the lenses and strap of your choice. The app lets you create a 3D face scan file with a few quick motions and sends it directly back to Smith's design team. Your Smith I/O MAG Imprint 3D goggles are 3D printed using HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology and assembled in the USA. REQUIREMENTS: 3D face scanning requires an iOS device with integrated FaceID & TrueDepth front-facing camera system, such as any iPhone XS or later (11, 12 and onward).
Screenshots
Verdict
The Highlands and Smith Optics both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Smith Optics's written reviews are positive against 67% of The Highlands's. Smith Optics also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). The Highlands's advantage is ratings volume (388 vs 9). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Smith Optics holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Highlands has 388 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of The Highlands's written reviews are positive against 100% of Smith Optics's.
The Highlands ships an update every 3 months, Smith Optics monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | The Highlands | Smith Optics |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (388 ratings) | 5.0 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 388 — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 150 MB | 383 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Boyne Resorts | SMITH SPORT OPTICS, INC. |
Customer experience
The Highlands
Smith Optics
In-app purchases
The Highlands
No in-app purchases
Smith Optics
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is The Highlands free?
Is Smith Optics free?
Which has better reviews, The Highlands or Smith Optics?
Do The Highlands or Smith Optics have ads?
Which is updated more often, The Highlands or Smith Optics?
Other comparisons
