Anyone wear an altimeter watch while skiing/boarding?

[sledhaulingmedic]

I just had a quick look and it looks like the watches have altimeters in them. The only problem, then, is that you have to "calibrate" them to the local pressure conditions (just like an aircraft altimeter).

I guess if you are at a ski area and you know the base elevation, you can do that at the beginning of the day. It wouldn't be as accurate as GPS, however...

Actually, a calibrated barametric altimeter is more accurate than GPS for altitude. (Which is why Garmin offers GPS receivers with Barametric altimeters.)

I've had several watches wtih Altimeters over the years. (One Casio met an untimely death due to severe blunt trauma.) If you're into vertical stats, I guess it's a must. I've always used it as an adjunct to Map and Compass for navigation. I've had a Garmin GPS for quite a while and most of the time it just takes up space in my pack. I always say I'm going to save the data to my computer and make maps of my trips. My June trip to GG is still in the GPS. :roll:

 

[hiroto]

Garmin Forerunner 301

I have this Garmin Forerunner 301 which I use for
running.

http://www.garmin.com/products/forerunner301/

I took it out to Wachusetts one time to see what
the maximum speed I can ski at, or to see how fast
my kids were skiing. It was kind of fun. Regarding
the altitude, I don't know how accurate it was
in absolute term, but it seemed pretty close in
showing the virtical difference I was covering on
a run.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I don’t have one and always thought they were kind of gimmicky, but it would be cool knowing how fast you were going. I personally don’t care about measuring vert, but whatever floats your boat. I certainly check the odometer on my bike cause it helps keep me going. Like someone wrote if you’re skiing boring terrain it gives you something to keep going up and down for.

 

[NHpowderhound]

I have a Garmin eTrex which is small, water resistant and one of my favorite gadgets. I have all sorts of places marked on it like points of interest for hiking, trails/glades at ski areas, hot spots for fishing, mountain peaks and features. But it's only accurate when it has an unobstructed view of the sky. It wont work in a pack or a jacket. It wont work under a heavy canopy of foliage. It wont work well in a heavy snowstorm. The compass will only work if you are moving. But it's still pretty cool. I like fixing it to the outside of my pack and see my maximum speed on a run! It will also tell you average speed.
It wont help you navigate any better than a map and compass but it will tell you exactly where you are which is kinda neat. Altitude needs at least three satilites to triangulate. The more satilites the more accurate altitude,latitude and longitude will be.
I picked mine up second hand from a friend for $25 bucks!
((*
*))NHPH

 

[ozskier]

I rock the...
http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexLegendc/