Snoscout
A B2B technology solution for ski resorts
Overview
Snoscout is a B2B technology company on a mission to improve safety and efficiency at ski resorts by leveraging drone operations and providing real-time insights to ski resort staff, enabling them to make informed decisions and improve the overall experience for guests.
Background
The U.S. skiing industry faced significant challenges during the pandemic, losing 8 million visitors, resulting in layoffs and budget cuts. Post-pandemic, visits surged to 60 million, leaving many resorts struggling to manage the increased demand with fewer staff. With more skiers and fewer employees, ski patrollers are under immense strain, increasing the risk of injury and diminishing the overall experience for everyone on the mountain.
Vision
Snoscout aims to improve safety and efficiency at ski resorts by leveraging drone technology and real-time data to assist ski patrollers and lift operators in making informed decisions, ultimately enhancing the guest experience.
Drone Tech
DJI is the world leader in drones and provides modular packages for industrial services to fit specific industry needs. Snoscout would purchase and outfit these drones to withstand wintery mountain conditions and provide real-time information back to ski patrollers. Recco chips are used for finding missing persons in avalanche situations. Current operations are via helicopter and a handheld device. Snoscout is changing that by placing their beacons on drones.
Branding
The four core values of Snoscout are a combination of the values of ski patrollers and pioneers of the skiing industry. Each value is visually represented in the logo.
Awareness
Snoscout will show up in places such as the Boston Ski Expo, raising awareness from the public and resort employees. Providing demos and prototypes to organizations like National Ski Patrol will also get a foot in the door to the people who will be advocates for Snoscout at their own resorts.
Journey
Before Snoscout drones are ready to use, planning, training, installation, and testing is needed. Each resort is different, and Snoscout must be able to adapt to the individual needs of each mountain. The number of chairlifts in a resort determines the size and scope of services needed.
Photogrammetry
For autonomous flight paths in situations where drones need to be deployed to investigate an accident scene, waypoints must already be known to the drone software. During the installation phase, drones fly and scan the mountain to create a 3D model of each trail.
Website
The Snoscout website will help transition resort owners and mangers from the awareness phase into the consideration phase. Purchasing and support will be managed through the website for ease of use.
Process
After speaking to Chris Hayward, a long-time ski patroller in Maine, I found that the responsibilities of ski patrollers go far beyond first aid and search and rescue. Everyday duties include the constant monitoring and maintaining of trails and skier traffic hotspots, and providing visitor information.
I also interviewed Jimmy Olivero, owner and chief pilot of a drone business providing cinematography, industrial, and disinfecting services about the viability of drones in the ski industry. A key takeaway was that search and rescue as a business is not sustainable without additional services offered.
Moonshot thinking
Inspired by the combination of a huge problem, a breakthrough technology, and a radical solution to create a moonshot, I scaled the thinking down and applied it to this project. What happens when the ski industry meets drone technology as a service?
Reflection
The project highlighted the importance of staying focused on design rather than getting lost in logistical details. It also reinforced the value of collaboration with experts from different fields to fully realize a project's potential. Despite the challenges, the prospect of helping ski patrollers use drones to create safer and more enjoyable experiences is incredibly exciting.
