Alta Guide vs First Chair
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Alta Guide
Navigate Alta Ski Area with interactive maps, detailed run data, and live updates. Track your ski sessions, discover local recommendations, and access essential mountain information for a complete experience.
- Interactive trail map
- Extended run data
- Customizable notifications
- Run tracking with stats
- Live weather and road updates
- Mountain information
- Local recommendations
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Alta Guide is your all-in-one ski companion for Alta Ski Area, combining interactive maps, run tracking, and essential mountain information in one seamless experience. KEY FEATURES: • Interactive Trail Map: Navigate Alta's terrain with detailed, easy-to-read trail maps • Extended Trail Data: Includes over 100 runs and points of interest not listed on the paper trail map • User customizable notifications for trail/area openings, road status, new snow alerts • Run Tracking: Record your ski sessions with detailed stats and path visualization • Live Updates: Get real-time weather and road condition updates • Mountain Info: Access comprehensive information about lifts, rules, and facilities • Local Recommendations: Curated list of the best bars, restaurants, ski shops, local attractions. Great for tourists. MOUNTAIN ESSENTIALS: • Detailed lift information • On-mountain dining and amenities • Local restaurant recommendations • Nearby ski shop recommendations • Lodging options and information • Safety rules and guidelines • Direct calling to ski patrol in case of emergency PRO FEATURES: • Advanced run tracking and analytics • Guide pins mark interesting locations • Custom pin creation and management • Detailed run statistics and history • Session recording and playback including vertical, average speed, top speed, number of runs, duration • Detailed run information, photos, access and egress tips Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, Alta Guide helps you make the most of your time on the mountain. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
First Chair
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First Chair counts down the days until your favorite ski resorts open. Pick your mountains and see how long until opening day, from the app, your Home Screen, Lock Screen, or CarPlay. Dates are checked every morning, so you'll know the moment a resort announces. EVERY MOUNTAIN, ONE APP • Ski resorts across the US and Canada, from Utah and Colorado to Tahoe, the Northeast, and British Columbia • Filter by region and star your favorites to keep them up top • Resort logos and a clean, Liquid Glass design built for iOS 26 KNOW HOW SOLID A DATE IS • Confirmed: announced by the resort itself • Projected: an estimate or a date the resort calls tentative • TBA: no date yet. We keep checking. WIDGETS EVERYWHERE • Home Screen: small shows 1 resort, medium shows 2, large shows 4 • Lock Screen: circular, rectangular, and inline styles • CarPlay: see your countdown on the drive up SIMPLE AND PRIVATE • No account, no sign-in, no ads • Choose your favorite app icon in About Opening days always depend on conditions. Check with the resort before you drive up the canyon. Built for skiers and snowboarders who can't wait for first chair.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: First Chair at none against Alta Guide's 2. Alta Guide's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 12 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support 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. Alta Guide sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. First Chair asks for nothing beyond the download.
Alta Guide ships an update every 6 weeks, First Chair every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Alta Guide | First Chair |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 71 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tony Korologos | Michael McKinney II |
In-app purchases
Alta Guide
- Alta Guide Pro Annual$19.991 Year
- Alta Guide Pro Annual$19.99
First Chair
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Alta Guide free?
Is First Chair free?
Do Alta Guide or First Chair have ads?
Which is updated more often, Alta Guide or First Chair?
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