Gaia GPS
Gaia GPS is a general purpose backcountry navigation app that has become a winter staple thanks to its layer library. A slope angle shading layer, avalanche forecast layer with current danger ratings, snow depth and recent snowfall overlays and a deep catalogue of topographic maps can be combined and downloaded for offline use. Tracks record in the background, waypoints and routes sync between phone and browser, and GPX import from a partner takes seconds.
The free version is limited; offline downloads and most of the useful winter layers require the Premium subscription, billed annually. Navigation and record keeping are its strengths rather than avalanche specific analysis, and the forecast layer is only as current as the last sync. Battery drain in the cold is worth planning for, as with any phone based navigation.
Pros
- Huge topographic map library
- Slope angle and snowfall layers
- Reliable offline downloads
- Track recording and GPX import
- Syncs between browser and phone
Cons
- Winter layers need Premium
- Not avalanche specific analysis
- Forecast layer only as fresh as last sync
- Noticeable battery use in cold
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