The Best Snow-Forecasting App: OpenSnow’s AI-Powered Predictions

The best snow-forecasting app for skiers and snowboarders isn’t from any of the federally funded weather services or big-name brands. It’s an independent startup called OpenSnow, which leverages government data, its own AI models, and decades of alpine-life experience to offer better predictions than anything else out there.

A Cult Following for Microcelebrity Forecasters

Skiers in the know follow OpenSnow. From Alpine Meadows to Mont Blanc, Crested Butte to Killington—resorts across North America and Europe rely on this small team of trusted forecasters who sift through reams of data daily.

The app has made microcelebrities out of its forecasters. OpenSnow founding partner Bryan Allegretto, better known as BA, is a case in point: “I’m F-list famous,” he says with a laugh. “Not even D-list.” The team’s dedication to accuracy and their ability to provide the freshest, most decipherable forecasts have earned them a cult following of over half a million users.

OpenSnow has proved especially vital this year, which saw one of the weirder winters on record. In the US West, there was very little daily snow despite an intense storm cycle that led to one of the deadliest avalanches in history. That storm was followed by one of the fastest melts in memory, and several California resorts are already shutting down for the season.

Meanwhile, in the East, ongoing heavy snowfall has offered a rare gift: a deep and seemingly endless winter. The app’s micro-accurate forecasts have been crucial to skiers navigating these unpredictable conditions safely and effectively.

A Bootstrap Success Story

The journey of OpenSnow is as fascinating as its technology. Joel Gratz, the CEO, and Bryan Allegretto, a founding partner, were once ski bums who saw an opportunity in providing better snow forecasts to fellow enthusiasts. Starting with just 37 email subscribers, they bootstrapped their way into becoming one of the most trusted names in winter sports weather predictions.

“We started as two broke skiers,” Gratz says. “But we had a vision and a lot of passion.” The pair’s commitment to accuracy and user experience has paid off, turning OpenSnow from an email list into a global phenomenon.