The familiar anxiety of watching a small skier in a brightly colored jacket disappear into a flurry of snow or down a tree-lined run is a feeling many parents know all too well on a busy mountain. In an age of constant connectivity, the ski hill remains one of the few places where a simple wrong turn can lead to genuine separation, as traditional tracking methods often fail in the face of nature. Smartphone apps are rendered useless by non-existent cellular service, and Bluetooth devices lack the necessary range to be effective across vast, rugged terrain. This technological gap leaves a significant void in on-mountain safety, forcing families to rely on pre-arranged meeting spots and hope for the best. Addressing this challenge head-on, Vancouver-based startup skiKrumb has begun a notable expansion into Alberta, introducing its innovative wearable technology at Marmot Basin. This move signals a potential shift in how resorts approach family safety, leveraging a system designed specifically to overcome the environmental hurdles that have long plagued other tracking solutions and offering a new layer of security for skiers of all ages.
A New Standard for On-Mountain Connectivity
At the core of this emerging safety solution is a compact, wearable device that operates independently of the often-unreliable infrastructure found in remote mountain locations. The skiKrumb tracker utilizes specialized radio technology, not cellular or Bluetooth, to transmit real-time GPS location updates every 10 seconds. This ensures a consistent and reliable connection even in densely wooded areas or deep mountain valleys where phone signals are a rarity. The system was born from a deeply personal experience of founder and CEO Keith Macintyre, who was inspired to create the technology after being temporarily separated from his own child on the slopes. His mission was to develop a tool that provides families with genuine peace of mind, allowing children the freedom to explore and build confidence without the constant worry of getting lost. The adoption of this system by Marmot Basin, following successful implementations at other iconic resorts like Big White, reflects a growing industry recognition of its practical benefits. Colin Borrow, Marmot Basin’s Director of Skiing, emphasized the system’s dependability in real-world conditions, stating that it aligns perfectly with the resort’s commitment to family-friendly innovation and enhances the overall mountain experience for guests.
The Full-Circle Journey to Safer Slopes
The expansion into the Canadian Rockies represented more than just a business milestone; for founder Keith Macintyre, it was a profound “full-circle moment.” Marmot Basin was the first major mountain he had ever skied, making the launch of his safety technology on its slopes a personally significant event that connected his past passion with his present-day mission. This integration has set a new precedent for how resorts can leverage dedicated technology to bolster their safety protocols. The availability of skiKrumb trackers, for either rent or purchase directly at the resort, demonstrated a tangible commitment to guest welfare by providing an accessible and practical solution for families. The collaboration between the tech innovator and the resort operator ultimately showcased a shared vision where technology did not detract from the natural experience of skiing but instead enhanced it by removing a significant source of anxiety. This partnership has paved the way for a future where staying connected on the mountain is no longer a matter of chance but a reliable feature of the resort experience itself.
