Topo Mapping for Skiing

The up-down-up-down of skiing is an absolute joy.  But many of us who spend time in the mountains don't look at just the isolated strips of white.  We see the subtle changes in fall line, the elevational transitions of the forest, the directional aspects that determine snow loading and sun baking.  We see geology, geography, topography, ecology, history, and other -ologies around each bend.  It's the context of skiing that makes each day in the mountains unique and interesting.  I've never met a true skier who isn't fascinated with maps.  New technologies like GPS tracking apps on your phone and Google Earth add another dimension to the level of detail that can be explored.