OpenSnow Releases AI-Powered Features Ahead of Winter 2025/26

All Images: Courtesy of OpenSnow

As temperatures plummet around the Northern Hemisphere, OpenSnow is gearing up for winter 2025/26. That includes launching updates to improve existing forecasts and usability, as well as debuting new features. Most notably, the trusted weather platform has released an AI-powered tool, dubbed PEAKS AI, which will contribute to many new features for users.

The programs can be broken down into seven categories: PEAKS Avy, PEAKS Snow, 15-Day Forecasts, Forecast Range Graph, Forecast Global Radar, Forecast Global Maps and AI Personal Forecaster. All will incorporate data and advice from the PEAKS AI program.

"Our focus has always been to continually improve forecasting accuracy and make it available and easy for everyone to make safer, smarter decisions," OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto said in a press release. "These new AI-powered features are a significant step forward, helping simplify complex weather models so anyone can understand weather risks and timing with greater detail and accuracy."

PEAKS, according to OpenSnow, is "up to 50% more accurate than standard forecasting models in mountainous terrain." Updated every 30-60 minutes as new model data is available, users can track precipitation, temperature and wind forecasts that are adjusted based on each storm’s strength and trajectory.

PEAKS Avy will give skiers a better understanding of avalanche conditions by delivering an overall danger rating derived from snow conditions, face aspect, elevation and input from forecasters. It will be updated several times a day, and while this is no replacement for personal avalanche fieldwork, it is a great tool to be used in addition to observations in the mountains.

When staying within the resort, PEAKS Snow will be more useful. As explained by OpenSnow, "PEAKS Snow was designed to convert complex weather and snow data into an easy-to-understand graphical and textual description with nuanced snow quality details that skiers and riders may experience." The program essentially allows for up-to-date forecasts of when snow conditions will change, depending on where you are on the mountain.

15-Day Forecasts, Forecast Range, Forecast Global Radar and Forecast Global Maps are self-explanatory, building off old models with the help of AI. However, the new AI Personal Forecaster will take things a step further. This is your custom forecast tool that takes into account OpenSnow’s proprietary weather data to write detailed forecasts winter sports enthusiasts will want to read.

OpenSnow's new Forecast Global Radar (left) and 15-Day Forecast Range Graph (right)

"In the development of PEAKS, we had the system go back through 40 years of data to look for bias and errors in past forecasts so that it can make more accurate predictions in the future. We have found that using the AI model to make changes has resulted in forecasts being up to 50% more accurate," continued Allegretto.

While no weather app will ever replace the value of heading out into the mountains and examining the snowpack for yourself, these updates from OpenSnow offer valuable features that will certainly help us all make more informed decisions as we head out this winter.