Comparison

Backcountry Ski vs Carvable

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Backcountry Ski

This app provides avalanche forecasts, weather data, and trip planning tools for backcountry skiers and snowboarders. It features offline maps, real-time conditions, and AI-assisted weather queries for safe mountain excursions.

Highlights
  • Avalanche forecasts and field observations
  • Real-time mountain weather data
  • AI-assisted weather queries
  • Offline topographic maps
  • Trip planning tools
  • GPS tracking and route sharing
  • Home screen widgets
Features
Read full description

Backcountry weather, avalanche data and trip planning resources all concisely displayed on one map. Easily review all the essentials before heading out on a tour: • Avalanche forecasts and field observations from avalanche centers across the country including Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Utah Avalanche Center, Teton Avalanche Center, Mount Washington Avalanche Center and more. • Real-time temperature, wind and snowfall data from 2,000+ mountain weather stations. Weather networks include SNOTEL, MADIS, CoCoRaHS, CWOP and many others. • Preview conditions in remote terrain with live overlays of today's snowfall, depth and coverage along with recent satellite views. • Weather forecast and observation summaries built specifically for backcountry ski zones. • Hourly NOAA weather forecasts for mountain summits and passes. • Filter observations and weather stations by zone (Berthoud, Loveland, etc) or create your own custom zones to monitor your go-to areas. Introducing Backcountry Condition Checks for the 2026/27 season: AI assisted weather queries for specific mountain locations and elevations. Ask "What will the high temperature be at 12,000 feet in Summit County tomorrow?", "Will it get below freezing tonight at Berthoud Pass?", "How windy will it be at the summit of Mount Washington tomorrow?". Get answers sourced directly from the National Weather Service and local weather stations. Comprehensive trip planning tools for backcountry skiers and snowboarders: • Munter calculator estimates ski tour travel times based on distance and vertical climb. • Create instant trip plans from your GPX tracks. Share route information, weather, avalanche forecasts and safety checklists with your partners. • Topographic slope maps highlight high-risk avalanche terrain. • GPS tracking to record and share your tours. • Submit and share observations from your tours (tap the plus button in the upper right corner). Create trip reports with photos and route beta. Built for the backcountry: • Offline topo maps work without cell service. • Home screen widgets for quick weather and avalanche updates. • All your backcountry resources displayed on one user-friendly map. What Backcountry Skiers Are Saying: "It's amazing to have all these tools packed neatly into one app... Finally!!!" "All the weather/snow-nerd data - it's all here." "A wealth of resources for backcountry skiers...this is my go to app." "Having NOAA point forecasts, avalanche outlook, and SNOTEL data all in one app is just the best. This is THE essential winter recreation app IMHO." =============== Offline topo maps, hourly weather forecasts, weather station data, zone filtering and munter calculator require pro subscription or $19.99 one time lifetime purchase.

About

Carvable

Discover ski runs tailored to your skill level and preferences. Explore resort terrain, compare runs by difficulty and pitch, and plan your next skiing adventure. Features include offline maps, run journaling, and group planning.

Highlights
  • Run discovery by difficulty, pitch, and aspect
  • Steepness profile and sunlight estimates
  • Personalized run plans and suggestions
  • Offline trail maps
  • Run journaling with notes
  • Group planning with multiple comfort levels
Features
Read full description

Find runs that fit the skiing you want to do. Carvable helps you explore resort terrain, compare runs, and plan your next few laps. Search by difficulty, pitch, vertical drop, aspect, and terrain character where the resort data supports it. Open a run for a quick overview, then explore its steepness profile and sunlight estimates. In Guide, choose three runs within your comfort level, swap suggestions, save your plan, and see the choices on the map. Save favorites and runs to try next. For a group, enter each skier's comfort level and explore suitable runs near a meeting lift. Connections and return routes are not verified. Download a resort for a simplified offline trail map and run details. Manage downloads, refresh terrain data, and see what is stored on your iPhone. Offline maps do not include base-map tiles or live opening information. Keep a run journal with quick logging, notes, and undo. Export a backup to Files and import it when you need it. Choose metric or imperial units and light or dark appearance. Terrain and sunlight estimates are not current snow, grooming, lift, or trail-opening reports. Check the resort's official information and signs. Open terrain data varies in coverage and accuracy. No account is required. Core planning works without an API key. An optional Expert Guide uses your own Claude API key and sends profile, goal, and selected terrain context to Anthropic when requested. Terrain data comes from OpenSkiMap and OpenStreetMap contributors. Built by a ski instructor in Bozeman, Montana.

Screenshots

Backcountry Ski4 screens
Carvable4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Carvable at none against Backcountry Ski's 2. Carvable also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Backcountry Ski's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (262 vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Backcountry Ski sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year. Carvable asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Carvable holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backcountry Ski has 262 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backcountry Ski ships an update weekly, Carvable every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Backcountry Ski versus Carvable: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackcountry SkiCarvable
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (262 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings262 — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size86 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSki the Backcountry Ltd.Shift Human LLC

Customer experience

Backcountry Ski

All ratings261 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral1.9%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive63.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative31.6%

Carvable

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Backcountry Ski

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Bug where avy report wouldn't load
  • App never sends password reset email
  • No current forecasts
  • Maps won't download
  • App freezes when starting a route
Show 1 more
  • App crashes when open

Requested features

6 requests
  • See local snowtel sites on map view
  • Fix elevation data accuracy
  • Improve slope angle overlay precision and legend
  • Make map download intuitive
  • Allow trial subscription cancellation within app/App Store
Show 1 more
  • Fix dead-end developer contacts

Carvable

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Backcountry Ski

Subscriptions1
  • Backcountry Beta Pro7 Days trial$7.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro Subscription$19.99
None

Carvable

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Backcountry Ski free?
Backcountry Ski is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Carvable free?
Carvable is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Backcountry Ski or Carvable?
Carvable is rated higher. Backcountry Ski averages 4.6 out of 5 from 262 ratings, while Carvable averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Backcountry Ski or Carvable have ads?
Neither Backcountry Ski nor Carvable shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Backcountry Ski or Carvable?
Backcountry Ski ships an update weekly, and Carvable every 4 months. Most recently, Backcountry Ski was updated on November 6, 2026 and Carvable on October 31, 2026.

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