Why does Apple Watch not capture GPS map / runs for snow sports - downhill skiing, etc?

[mtbdudex]

[edit Feb-2-2024] title modified to state “snow sports” to more generically show the issue
>>do Apple activity programmers have something against snow sports
These confirmed outdoor snow sports no gps tracking:
-downhill skiing
-snow sports
-cross country skiing


Still new to Apple Ultra Watch 2, its gps accuracy is epic for my MTB riding.
I went downhill snow skiing at Searchmont with high school ski team.
I’m shocked upon putting my UW2 in downhill skiing activity it did not record gps nor #runs.

Heck, in late 1990’s my Alta altimeter watch did that.

1997 Whistler mountain data

Now it’s 2024 .. and my UW2 in downhill skiing mode can’t capture such basic data?
Why? Is there a pending lawsuit against Apple ?

Ski tracks sync inside iPhone to fitness:

Activity “downhill skiing” is missing then gps data

Ski tracks via iPhone 14 Pro

Ski tracks

 

[turbineseaplane]

I assume it’s because they’ve mostly outsourced detailed activity tracking to 3rd party Apps?

Have you tried Slopes or similar?

 

[adam1080]

Slopes is the way to go for any avid skier or boarder. Had it for years and only gets better.

 

[mtbdudex]

Guys .. I’m asking a very simple and straightforward question here:

Why does Apple not include gps info on their watch activity labeled “downhill skiing” for map, plus #runs and vertical feet?

I’m not asking “which downhill snow ski app should I use”
I’ve been using “Ski tracks” on my iPhone since 2016, so I’ll keep doing that.

This is specifically the watch for its sync to iPhone Activity.

 

[meetree]

It's absolutely the same for cross-country skiing — no usable data (I don't need these crappy calories), no distance, no map. And a "great" workaround for ski-touring (climbing part) — use Hiking, lol.

Because of that, I solely use Garmin.

I don't have any idea what was in the brain of these Apple developers when they created these so-called "activities."

 

[Euroamerican]

SkiTracks for the win. I use it all the time for boarding...

 

[mtbdudex]

Just more examples;
My friend Matt Apple 7 captures gps when walking…

Yes again for some arsine reason another snow sport, Nordic skiing my daughter , no gps captured?
wtf is up with Apples logic here?
There must be a legal / lawsuit issue or surely they’d capture and use it.

 

[meetree]

Apple doesn't care. It didn't fix this issue for at least two years. So wait, when will Tim Cook start skiing.

Sad but true.

 

[Mac2Crack]

WorkOutDoors for Nordic Skiing. Works well enough for me.

 

[mtbdudex]

WorkOutDoors for Nordic Skiing. Works well enough for me. View attachment 2345333

Ok, I checked this out, not opposed to spending a few $’s.

‎WorkOutDoors

‎WorkOutDoors is the most advanced and most configurable workout app for the Apple Watch. It's perfect for running, cycling, hiking and any other indoor or outdoor activity. Note: WorkOutDoors requires an Apple Watch Series 3 or later. It is not necessary to have your iPhone with you during a...

apps.apple.com

I already am a yearly Trailforks user, $20/year. But, no Apple Watch app like that has. But, I’ve been using it 5 years now so lotta history and stats

‎Trailforks

‎Trailforks is a trail database & map with over 650,000 trails. Users can contribute data and then local trail associations have the control to approve & curate the data. Get 14 days of free app use, then upgrade to Trailforks Pro to unlock the map world-wide. Otherwise continue to use the...

apps.apple.com

The Apple Watch activity app in summer 2023 added Bluetooth connection to wheel speed sensors and cycle power meters , that’s something I’ve been wanting and now using.
Does “Work Out Doors” support those BT connections?

 

[dallison13]

same complaints from kayakers, paddle boarders, canoeing, or any other non walking, running, or cycling activity. Not Sure why it's not included. I think apple thinks that people who do those activities dont care for some reason. Drives me nuts.

 

[sparksd]

ROI - Apple doesn't see enough additional profit in doing this vs 3rd party providers. Standard question for additional functionality - what's the business case?

 

[mtbdudex]

But .. gps is already there right for any activity ?
Dual frequency gps is talked about all over their online marketing and sales info.
Heck, they brag ability to know being on a running track for gosh sakes, why not gps track and show map for snow activities?

The coding is all there, there’s something not being said by Apple to not do it.
They’d have to pay royalties to someone seems the only answer I can fathom.

 

[weeesss]

Can you explain this error I get when I stop a workout? Error...collection cannot set end date without a start date.

 

[mtbdudex]

Can you explain this error I get when I stop a workout? Error...collection cannot set end date without a start date.

Honestly no, I have not experienced this nor heard about it.

Suggest you use the search feature to see if others have posted a thread, if none start your own.
Good luck.

 

[Le Big Mac]

same complaints from kayakers, paddle boarders, canoeing, or any other non walking, running, or cycling activity. Not Sure why it's not included. I think apple thinks that people who do those activities dont care for some reason. Drives me nuts.

Yep - frustrating that it includes these as "workout" options but then cripples the actual data recorded. Obv. indoor activities GPS doesn't matter but as you say only foot and pedal sports get GPS.

 

[kitenski]

It's purely an Apple oddity/decision to not enable GPS for loads of activities, skiing, sailing etc etc.

I use workoutdoors, solves the GPS issues and I get maps!

 

[DocMultimedia]

Apple deserves punishment for not including this feature. IMO

 

[iMacDragon]

Indeed, this has annoyed me for years too.. can see no good reason for not just reusing the code from the workout types that do log it.

 

[cubodado]

I found it out yesterday. I went skiing and used the local station’s free app (based on skitude) that isn’t connected to Apple Health but produces interesting stats and videos. I then used the Winter Sports activity to export to Strava but didn’t have any good stat (maybe exaggerated calories) or GPS tracking. And by starting the activity on Apple Fitness the skitude based app interrupted, only to be resumed later during a stop. Will try Workoutdoors next year.

 

[rbart]

If Apple workout app was complete, no 3rd party app would exist.
It's the same on iPhone, built-in apps are rarely full featured, they also need to keep developers working on their platforms and then get huge revenues via App Store.
If Apple sherlocks all 3rd party apps, developers will leave the boat ...
Apple business model is to sell devices and then get revenues through services.