A group of Olympic and X Games medalists have come together in support of a new mobile application called Ski Nation. The crowdfunded app, co-founded by Olympic and World Champion Ted Ligety, creates a lifetime record of places where users have skied, and allows industry companies to send information, offers and discounts, if permitted by the user. The app aims to allow a flow of information between skiers and the industry and give smaller ski areas the chance to be a part of the mobile app experience. Skiers that have already backed this campaign include Simon Dumont, Tanner Hall, Tom Wallisch, Wendy Fisher, Maddie Bowman, and Sammy Carlson. The campaign seeks to raise $300,000 for the final development of the app to be ready in time for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
Press Release, Durango, CO, September 3, 2013:
A coalition of Olympic and X Games Gold Medalists and World Champions have launched a crowdfunding campaign to complete development of Ski Nation®, a mobile application and independent skier network, that will debut during the 2013/14 winter season in time for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
“Ski Nation® is for all skiers regardless of age, experience, skill, or their home mountain,” says Olympic Gold Medalist, 4x World Champion, and co-founder, Ted Ligety.
The founding skiers of Ski Nation® include more than a dozen world-class athletes seeking grassroots support to raise $300,000 for final development of the mobile app. Former U.S. Ski Team member Jack Turner, and his business partner, Victoria Ossola, assembled the athlete coalition. Supporters can pledge at www.SkiNation.com.
The Ski Nation® mobile app is free and works universally at major ski resorts, local ski hills and Nordic centers. The app creates a lifetime record of places where users have skied, and permits industry companies to send information, offers and discounts to users with their pre-approved permission. Ski Nation® provides a unique platform for the ski industry to connect with skiers, but it is not controlled by one resort, manufacturer, media company, or marketing agency. As such, it permits the free flow of information between skiers and all industry segments and gives small ski operators a chance to participate in the mobile app arena.
Early contributors to the Ski Nation® crowdfunding campaign will be able to participate in the final build-out of the mobile app; collect limited edition digital pins; and receive advance app support, free lifetime upgrades, and other exclusive benefits. The Ski Nation® campaign is an all-or-nothing proposition: contributors will only be charged when the campaign goal of $300,000 is reached.
Founding Skiers:
Alana Nichols – Alpine; Paralympic & World Champion
Sarah Hendrickson – Ski Jumping; World Champion
Billy Demong – Nordic; Olympic & World Champion
Simon Dumont – Freeride; X Games Champion
Bode Miller – Alpine Skiing; Olympic & World Champion
Tanner Hall – Freeride; X Games Champion
Franz Weber – Speed Skiing; World Champion
Ted Ligety – Alpine Skiing; Olympic & World Champion
Hannah Kearney – Freestyle; Olympic & World Champion
Tom Wallisch – Freeride; X Games Champion
Kikkan Randall – Cross Country; World Champion
Wendy Fisher – Extreme Skiing; World Champion
Maddie Bowman – Freeride; X Games Champion
Jack Turner – Alpine, Jumping, XC; Skier
Sammy Carlson – Freeride; X Games Champion
Victoria Ossola – Skier
