NEU Ski Slopes

Discover your perfect ski resort with real-time info and weather forecast. Plan your next skiing or snowboarding adventure in the Catalan Pyrenees with NEU's AR maps, and never get lost on the slopes!

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Inspiration

As a ski enthusiast, I’ve often found myself frustrated by the challenges of planning my ski trips. Choosing the right resort that matches my skill level, interests, the right weather condition and budget was always a struggle. When I hit the slopes, the fear of getting lost or missing out on the best trails lingered in the back of my mind. I knew there had to be a better way than relying on the current paper trail maps.

That’s when I decided to create NEU Ski Slopes. I wanted an app that would make the process of planning and navigating ski resorts not only easier but also more enjoyable. By leveraging cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) technology, I set out to design an app that could provide a fully immersive experience—helping skiers like me explore the best resorts and stay on track. I’m excited to share it with other skiing enthusiasts. I had a lot of fun creating every single 3D map for my app. From gathering the right geographic data to meticulously crafting each map in Blender, and finally exporting them for Apple’s ARKit, the process was both challenging and rewarding. The result is something truly unique—10 AR maps of the Catalan Pyrenees ski resorts, available exclusively in the NEU Ski Slopes app.

What it does

  • Resort Information Dashboard: Discover the unique character of each of the 10 ski resorts across the Catalan Pyrenees. From the bustling vibes of Baqueira Beret and Boí Taüll to the family-friendly atmosphere of Vall de Núria and La Molina, NEU provides essential information like trail difficulty, lift ticket prices, number of slopes, and total skiable distance for each resort, including Port Ainé, Espot Esquí, Tavascan, Masella, Port del Comte, and Vallter.
  • Stunning 3D Maps in Augmented Reality (AR): Step into the future of ski trip planning. The NEU AR-powered 3D maps offer an immersive view of each resort. Visualize slopes, lifts, and terrains right before your eyes. Planning your ski trip has never been more interactive and engaging!
  • Interactive 2D Maps with GPS Geolocation: Navigate the slopes with confidence using NEU’s GPS-enabled 2D maps, ensuring you stay on track and never miss a turn.
  • Convenient Digital Paper Trail Maps: Leave the paper behind and access the official resort trail map directly on your phone with NEU’s digital paper maps, designed for easy on-the-go use.
  • Real-Time Weather and 10-Day Forecasts: Never let the weather catch you by surprise. NEU provides live weather updates and forecasts for the next 10 days, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the conditions ahead. From snow forecasts to temperature readings, NEU has you covered.

Why Choose NEU Ski Resorts?

  • Exclusive Experience Across Devices: Whether you’re using the groundbreaking Apple Vision Pro, your iPhone, or your Mac, NEU delivers an unmatched AR experience tailored to your device.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Detailed information on every resort in the Catalan Pyrenees, including Boí Taüll, Baqueira Beret, Port Ainé, Espot Esquí, Tavascan, La Molina, Masella, Vall de Núria, Port del Comte, and Vallter, ensuring you have all the data you need at your fingertips.
  • Innovative Technology: Cutting-edge AR features that redefine ski trip planning and on-resort navigation, making NEU a must-have for all ski enthusiasts.
  • User-Centric Design: An intuitive interface with personalized options to cater to your unique skiing preferences.
  • Not Sure Which Resort to Visit? Let NEU guide you. Based on your preferences, skill level, and the distance from your location, choose the resort that fits you best for your next ski trip.

Whether you’re meticulously planning every detail of your ski trip or spontaneously hitting the slopes, NEU Ski Resorts is your go-to app. It’s not just an app; it’s your personal ski trip planner, your navigator through the snowy trails, and your window to the breathtaking beauty of the Catalan Pyrenees.

Get ready to transform your ski trip into an extraordinary adventure with NEU. Download now on Apple iOS, VisionOS, and macOS, and start exploring the splendor of the Catalan Pyrenees in AR!

How I built it

NEU Ski Slopes was developed using a combination of Swift and SwiftUI for iOS and visionOS platforms, with ARKit and SceneKit powering the augmented reality experiences. Before development, I designed the app’s user interface and experience in Figma, ensuring a user-friendly and intuitive design. I utilized Apple's MapKit for interactive maps and WeatherKit for real-time weather updates, ensuring users have access to the latest conditions. SwiftData and SwiftCharts were employed to manage data and provide visualizations within the app.

The 3D models of the ski resorts were custom-designed using Blender, ensuring both accuracy and visual appeal when rendered in AR. Finally, I integrated iCloud for seamless data syncing and RevenueCat for managing in-app purchases, making NEU Ski Slopes a comprehensive and up-to-date tool for skiers.

Challenges I ran into

One of the biggest challenges was optimizing the AR experience across different devices. Ensuring that the app runs smoothly on both Apple Vision Pro and older iOS devices required extensive testing and adjustments. Another challenge was accurately mapping the ski resorts in 3D to reflect the real-world terrain, which involved fine-tuning the models and integrating various data sources, such as open-source slope and terrain elevation data.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

I’m proud of the fully immersive AR experience I've created, especially the 3D maps that bring the ski resorts to life. The seamless integration of real-time data, such as weather updates, has made NEU a helpful tool for skiers. Additionally, achieving a high level of user satisfaction through intuitive design and comprehensive resort information is something I consider a significant improvement to the overall user experience.

What I learned

Throughout the development process, I learned a great deal about optimizing AR experiences for different hardware capabilities. I also gained valuable insights into the importance of user feedback, which played a crucial role in refining the app’s features and usability. Moreover, I discovered the value of combining various technologies—AR, 3D SceneKit, and Apple Weather—in a cohesive manner to provide a superior user experience.

What's next for NEU Ski Slopes

Looking ahead, I plan to expand NEU Ski Slopes to include more ski resorts beyond the Catalan Pyrenees, covering other popular ski destinations in Europe and North America. I'm also exploring the possibility of integrating GPS tracking, personal statistics, and social features, allowing users to share their experiences on social media, connect with friends, and compete on leaderboards. Additionally, I aim to enhance the AR experience with more interactive elements and real-time analytics, providing users with even more insights into their skiing adventures.

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