OpenSummit Reviews

by Allen Lieberman

Wow, first and worst app I have ever come across that doesn’t allow any overlays to the base map. Seriously! I got Apple Maps if I needed a map without overlays. If you are intending to download to evaluate your needs for OpenSummit, save your time as you are forced to setup an account that asks for your full name and email address and you get nothing in return.

The data OpenSummit if available in high resolution FOR FREE on the NOAA websites. Just creat short cuts to your Home Screen and save your yearly fee for something better than nothing that you get for “free here”.

by Angry Weather Enthusiast

It’s rare that I am so angry that I feel the need to write a negative review but I have to comment. This is a standard weather app that gives basic information provided by the NOAA. The free version gives very little of this information and only for some trailheads and peaks. I purchased the all access subscription and found it to have the same information you can get for free with a slightly prettier presentation. DEFINITELY not worth $20! I went back and reread the glowing over the top reviews. They read like absurd marketing language. I am amused at the thought of the developers writing reviews to themselves and then answering them. This is not my beef. I tried to find the toggle to stop auto renewal that they claim exists but doesn’t seem to. I tried to downgrade to the free version but the button on the website to do so is nonfunctional both on my phone and desktop. I have emailed the company with no response.

by Jay.pdx

Update 8/9/21 the Team emailed me and was very nice about a trial. I appreciate that genuine response so I’m updating my rating to 4 out of 5. It would have been nice to get just one feature like just temperature out of the box…

OpenSummit allows you to download it for free and register an account, but you can’t test it with just 1 free overlay to see if you like the user experience…. You have to pay upfront. OpenSummit wasted my time.

by Nitsirk817

OpenSummit has become an indispensable tool for planning my outdoor adventures. It’s the most accurate weather app I’ve used and has saved me countless wasted hours of driving to a trailhead only to find suboptimal weather rolling in. It gives me an idea of which day of the week to go, how early to start, what gear to bring (wet, snow, smoke, etc.). I owe many sunny, calm hikes to this app!

by Sajego

I’m a skier so I was already using Open Snow. OpenSummit has a longer forward looking map animation loop ~40 hours ahead. I hate that I’ve found it so useful the last month, but it’s priceless to know when we’ll likely see a few hours of clear air.

by Evalurater

I love the various maps and supporting forecasts that show the big picture for temperature, moisture and smoke for my area. This provides a more complete picture for planning adventures than just looking at the forecast using other weather apps, and it is so easy to use.

by Dmep910

Hands down the best weather/smoke/air quality/everything outdoors related app I have on my phone. I open it 5-10 times a day to see how smoky it’s going to be, what our air quality is, if it’s going to be raining anytime soon, what the snow totals will be in our area, when the next storm is coming, and the list goes on. Plus they are constantly updating OpenSummit with even better features. If you’re going outside for any reason, even to drive to work…download it. Pay the $30 annual subscription. Completely worth it in every way, you won’t regret it.

by Nicole Barbaro

I love weather and have several apps on my my phone for different needs. this app reduces the need for all the various apps Ive collected. There forecasts are excellent and actually help me plan for outdoor trips, especially the detailed written forecasts. Living in the west, the smoke radar has been amazing and i havent seen anything comparable.

by Ld?

I thought this was a handy app when it was primarily snow forecasting. With the addition of the Open Summit component and the smoke forecasting, I check OpenSummit multiple times per day. I have asthma, and I have able to plan hikes, bike rides, camping at least a day in advance to avoid the densest smoke plumes. Thanks from Summit County!

by AA&me

I subscribed to both these apps this past fall and I have appreciated having them many times. I’ve used them for snowshoeing, day-hiking and backpacking forecasts. I’ve also, unfortunately, used the smoke maps frequently the past few months. The forecasts are accurate and the apps are easy to navigate.

by Ron's ITunes

Open Snow is the best source of detailed weather reports you will find anywhere. The team goes to great lengths in curating satellite and other data from many sources to ensure we’re getting the most updated and accurate forecasts - especially snow forecast at all major resorts across the US and Canada.

by Skitahoeblue

I’ve been an open snow subscriber (formerly Tahoe weather) for nearly a decade. Now with Open Summit I can keep up on tracking weather and conditions throughout the year. I’m an all access member and I have been utilizing the smoke map overlays as well as the wind and radar this summer. They have not let me down. Highly recommend OpenSummit

by Urbananchorite

I used to have to go to multiple websites when planning a trip. Now it’s all in one place. And they keep adding new features all the time like snow cams, snow depth, trail conditions, smoke maps, etc. I enjoy having all my favorite places and a place I am going to all on one page. They also are very prompt when I have questions or suggestions. It is a very thoughtful app.

by BuffaloLo

Thank you for extending the forecast maps with 18 hours of data! I live/play in Summit County Colorado and the smoke maps have been invaluable recently. It helps me plan my morning workouts and informs my decision on whether to hike in lower elevations, to climb high, or to stay inside until smoke conditions improve. I love both this app and OpenSnow. ‘All Access’ is a must and is definitely worth it!

by Schivoner

I trust OpenSnow and this app more than any other news or weather source. It's incredible and impressive how detailed and accurate the information is that they provide in their articles, maps and summary pages. The snow and traffic cam links are a nice feature as well.

This is by far the best weather and outdoor planning app I've ever seen and I have no idea what I'd do without it.

by Angelo_Arch

The features the developer has been adding are rock solid and help me to get a better understanding of the weather or air quality (wildfire smoke is big out in the west) for a very specific spot in CO. Many weather apps will give you generic temps, but the temp on top of a peak can be very, very different. Excellent set of features and a great summer version of the sister app OpenSnow, which I use all winter long for playing in the snow.

by Carriecolorado

Having the membership and ability to see lightning forecasts 5 days in advance on big peaks has changed how I can plan and increased the number of summits I completed last year! I didn’t even realize I also had access to Open Snow which was such a bonus for planning which ski resort to visit as well and when to request a day off more than just the night before when it’s dumping. The BEST app for a Coloradan Outdoor Enthusiast. The apps are very easy to use and to set up how you like.

by CLT330

Almost every day Fire Warning published. Spend lot of time in the outdoors hiking. Planned on going today, high winds and camp fires of people in the mountains concern me. Smoke and lightning strike information is critical. After my morning review of Open Summit/Snow decided not to go. Don’t won’t to be caught on a mountain trail with a fire and no escape route. Open Summit gives information to make an educated decision on what to expect for that day. Sometimes I have people with me that I’m responsible for. Makes the activity more enjoyable being knowledgeable on conditions.

by Colintre

I hike or summit peaks in Colorado year-round and this is my go-to app for planning and making sure I don’t get into dangerous or unpleasant weather situations. I love the five-day layout that color codes each day by the forecasted weather so I can tell at a glance when to plan my hikes. If I am going on a day of marginal weather, the hourly forecast has proved accurate and helpful to time my start and finish to avoid severe weather. I am impressed at how many peaks are covered by the forecast and always find one that is where or near I am going. This is a must-have app for any serious (or even casual) Colorado hiker.

by Snow1255

I’ve always loved open snow. And I definitely love open summit. I’d like to say the maps are fantastic, with features that I can’t really find anywhere else. The new Daily Summit weather discussion is fantastic as well! I love hearing about and being able to understand the greater weather patterns beyond the temperature prediction on the standard weather app. Thank you this app team!

by ChristopherMusic

What’s the point of introducing new features (snow depth, etc) if you don’t even let users demo them? If we can’t even try them why would we ever buy them?

by Alpinestart

-Can’t look at the precipitation or wind forecast at various altitudes. Where is the forecast for? Just the summit?
-Once you have a mountain in your “base camp” you can’t toggle to the satellite map or look at its location
-There’s no topo
-Can’t choose metric units if desired
There’s better functionality in other weather apps; based on this I won’t be upgrading.

by CaptKirk8

The exploration feature is helpful and provided some good info. I live near the Appalachians in Virginia, so I wasn’t sure how much support OpenSummit would provide in that regard (seemed Rocky-focused). Pleasantly surprised. I don’t see anything in here about cloud coverage. Seems like a basic thing to know for bringing a hat or sunglasses.

by :)11ian

Wish I had discovered OpenSummit long before now! Keep on doing what you do.

by Hsrpinger11

They’re adding new locations by the day, which is great. I was in telluride last weekend and this app had a better sense of what was coming than WeatherUnderground.

by Hpizzle57

The current version finally seems to have all the bugs fixed. Nice job.

by Lackeye

This is the most helpful app I have when planning mountain adventures and the All Access subscription is worth the cost. Reliable data for the backcountry. Well done.

by Bijuz

I am using the weather and map features to plan everything from bike rides to day hikes to backpacking trips. The satellite map overlay is awesome, and so is the basecamp feature with an at a glance look at your favorite mountains. Love OpenSummit!

by Nordic66

I really like the localized reports on parks and outings nearby, as well as the photos. I have not used it farther from home but I think it will be greatly useful.

-an All-Access Subscriber

by WSRIII

I’ve been using OpenSummit for all of my 14er’s this summer, and has been great. Quick and accurate up to date forecasts in seconds. Highest possible recommendation

by Qbencigar

We vacation each year in Breckinridge, nothing could be more helpful in planning our trip than OpenSummit. Anyone that travels or hikes in the mountains know exactly what I mean. Each day provides you with a 3 season option!!

by Bwa236

This resource is a must-have. I have the all-access pass with OpenSnow and Open Summit comes with it. Both are worth having by themselves. this app's peak-specific forecasts are a crucial tool in assessing mountain weather (along with other resources to confirm, of course). Cross-reference resources always.

by Love2ski&climb

Excellent app for mountain weather forecasts with lots of useful additional info all in one place! I’ve used it often to plan hikes and climbs and found the accuracy to be spot on. I wouldn’t think of going into the mountains without checking this app first.

by Kelbel90

I’ve loved OpenSummit since it came out, but the additional detail re: wind and cloud cover is amazing—thanks!