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Business Idea Competition, need your input-Ski Navigation App

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PeteyG
Posts: 2946 - Karma: 49
Hey guys, I go to the U of Denver, and on Friday, a buddy of mine are competing at a business idea competition. Basically, it is called an elevator pitch competition so I only get two minutes to present my case, and a panel of judges will ask questions and inquire about it.

I was wondering if you people could critique, give feedback, etc. this idea because it is skiing related.

The idea my buddy and I came up with is a ski navigation app, much like that of Google Navigation on iphones and smartphones, but for the ski hill. If someone wants to get from point A to point B, this app will give them the optimal runs and chairlifts to get to their destination. Phone coverage will be required, but should not be a problem, as companies like AT&T are steadily expanding their coverage. This idea has room for multiple add ons, such as a GPS buddy tracker, much like a beacon but for simple separations in bounds. Also, this will track, at a skiers current position, the pitch of the run, as well as wind and other factors. As I know there are basic ski tracker apps already invented, all of them present a topographical view of the mountain, while this will be more of a GoogleNav satellite view of the mountain (more first person). If you dont understand, I can elaborate.

This is my idea. I trust nobody will steal it, but if so, I would be flattered as it is just for a competition (and I want to win the prize).

If you could give me feedback--stuff I could improve on, stuff I should watch out for, or potential questions I should be prepared to answer, twould be great.

-Pete
Apr 25 2011 10:24PM
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Six.0.Tree-ski
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 67
it was already invented, called a trail map.
Apr 25 2011 10:25PM
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JIBpsy^^
Posts: 2851 - Karma: 36
I am taking this straight to the patent office to pattent this shit in MY NAME. rule #1 of the internet do post your groundbreaking buisness ideas on the interent. The internet especially NS is full of shady characters like myself and ECB.
Apr 25 2011 10:30PM
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BmoChop
Posts: 2071 - Karma: 96
I'd say mention Loopt and foursquare and how they could be used to locate your friends on the hill, as well as being able to set preferences(as in, "i only ski blues and greens, how can i get to the quad using only them?")and maybe a user rating system. Hope I could help!
Apr 25 2011 10:33PM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 361

Apr 25 2011 10:34PM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,008
OP has added onto that though, wouldn't it be cool to have it so your trail map told you where you buddy was on the hill, like what run he was on. Beats that whole, "waiting at the bottom for 15 fucking minutes while you buddy is stuck in a tree well or holding his broken leg at the bottom of the booters and you didn't even know it"

then again you think, is that really the direction we want to bring skiing, where finding things are as simple as looking at your phone, its brings technology into a place it doesn't belong

good idea though I guess.
Apr 25 2011 10:38PM
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PeteyG
Posts: 2946 - Karma: 49
That is a great point. I think for the sake of insurance and mountain liability, this would cut down on lost skiers and tree well incidents, at least stuff occurring in bounds.


Apr 25 2011 10:43PM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 361
no i would not like anyone to find me on the mtn unless i am in danger/or got separated from them, then again skiing is a place to unplug imo, leaving your phone in the car is a sweet feeling, i wish they didnt have clocks at ski resorts
Apr 25 2011 10:43PM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,008
Ya i have this feeling to, the only good reason I see for it is if someone is going to get hurt or lost and need your help. Otherwise it kinda ruins it.

If I am in the trees hitting some stashes or eating my food I don't want one of my "friends" barging in on my zone, stealing my food and talking to me.
Apr 25 2011 10:46PM
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NW_Rider
Posts: 2580 - Karma: 314
Phresheez app

http://phresheez.com/
Apr 25 2011 10:48PM
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PeteyG
Posts: 2946 - Karma: 49
yea that is true, but for the rich technology loving brits that infest breckenridge, they would be so geeked out on this kind of stuff.

Maybe you could put your status as hidden or something haha idk
Apr 25 2011 10:49PM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,008
Also not to rain on your parade but I think they kinda already have something like this
http://skiing.about.com/od/technologyandinnovation/a/snocator.htm

$.99 too..
Apr 25 2011 10:50PM
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VT_FLO
Posts: 3806 - Karma: 147
so your idea is basically an avalanche beacon app for your phone? As long as it was very light on the battery I think it's brilliant, activate it and allow people to find your location, turn on the map (more battery) and see where your contacts are. I would get that, it would really help implement a new mass scale safety feature on the mountains and would be sure to cut down on their insurance costs. They could have a discount for using it as well.
Apr 25 2011 10:54PM
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PeteyG
Posts: 2946 - Karma: 49
Yea I saw that. But that is more of a topographical map, with a straight down view of the mountain. My idea is more like this
http://lifehacker.com/#!5408418/google-navigation-is-a-total-gps-replacementas-long-as-youre-connected
if you can observe the differences in views, its alot easier and convenient of a view. Also, i was thinking of having audio navigation instructions like in the driving nav apps, like "In 200 feet, turn left onto snowghost run, and make your way down to peak 8 superconnect..."
Apr 25 2011 10:56PM
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JIBpsy^^
Posts: 2851 - Karma: 36
I dig but i would definitley want a way to turn it off so people cant like mega stalk you. I love business ideas that pray off the stupidity of tourists like the ever present electronic bootwarmers.
Apr 25 2011 10:56PM
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PeteyG
Posts: 2946 - Karma: 49
Oops.

I posted that in relation to Andrew.'s post
Apr 25 2011 10:58PM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 361
FUUUUUUU

my mom has those
Apr 25 2011 11:12PM
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PeteyG
Posts: 2946 - Karma: 49
yea basically. That is what it entails. Connecting everyone through a navigation app will help immensely on mountain communication
Apr 26 2011 12:36AM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,008
well in my oppinion exploring a new mountina shouldn't be that easy part of the fun of going somewhere new is the exploring of said mountain, or findind a local to ski with that knows whats up. an app like this may kinda kill that if it would tell you what to do and where to go...maybe for those weekend warrior types or for the people that go up once a year it would be good i guess.


oh and this just popped into my head, some foreign exchage student from japan was snowboarding at my local hill, his "friends" kinda ditched him when he acidentally fell of a backside cattrack, he couldn't get back up so he walked ten miles in the oppisite direction till he found a cabin which when he found it this was really late a night. a phone app for this kinda person my have saved alot of pain and trouble if A) he knew where is "friends" were and B) Where he was
Apr 26 2011 1:17AM
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