 Poster: A snowHead
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Saalbach in Austria have just announced they are to start providing free WiFi at the top and bottom of 30 lift stations.
This is a really welcome development, as normally I turn my data roaming off to avoid high foreign charges - but now I can use WiFi.
So all those apps on the iPhone and other smart phones become usable: chat apps (Whatsapp), interactive piste maps; walky-talky apps (HeyTel, Voxer), and VoIP phone apps like Groundwire etc. And of course Facebook, Twitter & Skype!
I'm guessing that more and more ski locations will start offering this service.
So all very useful if there is no snow - and you can pass the time on the web! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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That's pretty cool! Not sure I'll be too happy to see everyone having lunch on the balcony staring into their smartphones rather than the beautiful scenery around them though!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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What fun; instead of going skiing we can sit and read snowheads!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Why??!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Ski Amade have extended free wifi this season and released a dedicated app for smartphones. Not sure how useful the app is but having wifi access is a nice convenience for those that want it. I certainly like to pick up and reply to the odd email whilst out and about, gives the illusion I'm working. More info here http://www.skiamade.com/en/winter/news/free-wlan
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Saalbach are due to have their own app as well. I would imagine that it's one or two companies supplying the WiFi service, and the apps will all have the same functionality etc.
It must cost a few bob to set-up - Ski Amade and the surrounds are going to have 250 WiFi hot spots! Maybe the log-in pages and apps will have ads etc.
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or maybe you will have to pay for it?
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For most normal holiday makers I don't think it's something that'll make much difference. But it's possibly a good selling point for people who may need to keep in touch with business while they're away - or maybe managing a sneaky trip. Also good for attracting businesses who are organising a jolly based around skiing (my old company had an annual sales kick off trip to Morzine one January that I wasn't important enough to be invited on!).
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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It's called progress, son.
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FAQ
