Customer Reviews (500)

frustrated long time fan • 2025-03-27T16:56:06-07:00

I’ve been an Open Snow subscriber for a number of years. Evan Thayer and Jay Cordeira are my go to guys for Utah and New England snow and ski conditions. The site keeps adding great features with the latest being forecast range graphs. Keep up the great work guys!

Gredmonds21 • 2025-03-26T08:02:45-07:00

Open snow is worth every penny. Stop listening to fashioned meteorologists who don't care one bit about chasing pow. Use the guys who develop their models specifically for accurate and reliable snowfall forecasting in the mountains. The tech and app UX/UI is great but the real game changer is access to daily snow forecasts. Written (pretty much) daily by real, local, snow hungry experts provide all the detail you need to know exactly where to chase what to expect for your day on hill. Do it!

FillerupFun • 2025-03-25T11:30:43-07:00

Love having the mountain weather forecast delivered right to my inbox!

Summary of Key Insights

OpenSnow is a highly regarded weather app, particularly among skiers and snowboarders, due to its accurate and detailed mountain weather forecasts. Users appreciate the expertise of the local forecasters, the app's user-friendly interface, and the comprehensive data provided. The app’s strengths lie in its specialized focus on mountain weather, its integration of various data sources (e.g., snow reports, webcams, maps), and responsive customer service. Weaknesses include occasional inaccuracies in forecasts, especially for specific locations, and concerns about increasing subscription prices. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.

  • Overall Rating: High (majority of reviews are 5-star)
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 92.8% (464 reviews)
    • 4-star: 1.4% (7 reviews)
    • 3-star: 1.6% (8 reviews)
    • 2-star: 0.8% (4 reviews)
    • 1-star: 3.4% (17 reviews)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but likely spans several years given the references to long-term use and app evolution.
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis involved a qualitative assessment of the reviews, focusing on identifying recurring themes, sentiment (positive, negative, neutral), feature requests, and user pain points. Keyword extraction was used to identify frequently mentioned aspects of the app.

Key User Pain Points

  • Forecast Inaccuracies: A recurring complaint, particularly for specific locations or in certain weather conditions. Some users feel the forecasts are sometimes off by a significant margin (e.g., 50% or more).
  • Increasing Subscription Prices: Several users expressed concern about the rising cost of the All-Access subscription, questioning whether the value justifies the price.
  • Widget Issues: At least one user reported issues with the widget not displaying data after an update.
  • Lack of Usable Free Version: Some users feel the free version offers too little functionality.
  • Delayed Updates: One user along the front range mentioned updates being delayed.
  • Navigation Issues: At least one user said the app had become hard to navigate after a recent re-do.
  • "Last 24 hour" Snowfall Field Does Not Match Snow Report: At least one user noted an issue where the "last 24 hour" snowfall field does not match the snow report listed for each location.
  • Spam Emails: One user said they begin receiving spam emails that they can't stop even though they didn't sign up for them.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Slope Angle and Aspect on Maps: Users have requested slope angle and aspect information on the maps, similar to OnX Backcountry, to aid in backcountry planning.
  • Cross-Country Ski Trail Integration: Users would like to see more cross-country ski trails integrated into the forecasts, especially in the Midwest.
  • Improved Radar: A user desired a better radar.
  • UV Index: A user requested the UV index be included.
  • Snow Stake Cams in Europe: A user suggested that OpenSnow should start sponsoring snow stake cams in the EU.
  • Ability to remove/reorder radar: A user suggested the ability to remove the radar or reorder it to the bottom of the screen.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Accurate and Detailed Forecasts: Users consistently praise the app's accurate weather and snow forecasts, particularly the expertise of the local forecasters.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Many users find the app easy to navigate and use.
  • Comprehensive Data: The app provides a wealth of information, including snow reports, webcams, maps, and historical data.
  • Responsive Customer Service: Several users mentioned positive experiences with OpenSnow's customer service, citing quick and helpful responses.
  • Expert Analysis: The "Daily Snow" forecasts written by local experts are highly valued.
  • Useful Map Overlays: Users appreciate the various map overlays, such as active fires, avalanche forecasts, land ownership, smoke, and foliage.
  • Customization: The ability to save favorite locations and customize alerts is a popular feature.
  • Year-Round Usefulness: Users appreciate the app's value beyond the ski season, citing its usefulness for hiking, biking, and tracking wildfires.
  • Reliable Snow Forecasting: The forecasts are reliable for planning ski days and trips.
  • Local Temperature: The forecasts including the local temperature on the mountains is more accurate than other weather apps.
  • Widgets: The widgets on iPhone are great on the screen.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:
    • Improve Forecast Accuracy: Invest in refining forecasting models, particularly for specific locations and challenging weather conditions. Address the reported discrepancies between different data points within the app (e.g., "last 24 hour" snowfall vs. snow report).
    • Address Pricing Concerns: Evaluate the pricing structure and consider offering more flexible subscription options or justifying price increases with enhanced features and value.
    • Fix Widget Issues: Resolve any reported issues with the app's widgets to ensure they function correctly.
    • Navigation Improvements: Address the navigation issues mentioned by users.
  • Medium Priority:
    • Enhance Free Version: Consider adding more features to the free version to attract new users and provide a better initial experience.
    • Implement Requested Features: Prioritize the implementation of frequently requested features, such as slope angle/aspect on maps and cross-country ski trail integration.
    • Address Spam Emails: Ensure users don't receive unwanted emails.
  • Low Priority:
    • Investigate delayed updates: Investigate the cause for the delayed updates.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hyper-Local Weather Forecasting API: Develop an API that provides highly localized weather forecasts specifically tailored to outdoor activities, integrating data from various sources (e.g., weather stations, sensors, user reports).
  • AI-Powered Snow Condition Prediction: Create an AI-powered tool that analyzes weather data, snow reports, and user feedback to predict snow conditions (e.g., powder quality, base depth) with greater accuracy.
  • Backcountry Safety Platform: Develop a comprehensive platform that combines weather forecasts, avalanche risk assessments, and user-generated reports to enhance backcountry safety.

Trends and Observations

  • Shift from Ski-Specific to General Weather App: The app is evolving from a ski-specific tool to a more general-purpose weather app, with features like smoke forecasts and lightning risk maps.
  • Importance of Local Expertise: Users highly value the expertise of the local forecasters, suggesting a strong connection between the app's success and the quality of its human-generated content.
  • Increasing User Expectations: As the app has evolved and the subscription price has increased, user expectations have also risen, placing greater emphasis on forecast accuracy and feature set.

Conclusion

OpenSnow is a valuable tool for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly skiers and snowboarders. Its strengths lie in its accurate forecasts, user-friendly interface, and comprehensive data. However, addressing concerns about forecast accuracy and subscription prices is crucial for maintaining user satisfaction and driving future growth. By focusing on continuous improvement and incorporating user feedback, OpenSnow can solidify its position as the leading weather app for mountain sports.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/opensnow-weather-forecast/id780890907?uo=2