Exciting stuff.  Can't wait to see how this works once fully integrated.

not worth the effort of creating an account for a poor attempt at replicating Relive. Especially since its only a 7 day trial then subscription.

I live in the Netherlands. Only flat land. What are the benefits for me for FATMAP. 

I think it looks pretty neat, will have to see if it expands past the current mountain ranges. eg if it has the peak district in the UK that would be very neat for route planning. 

Can the Mods tell us when FatMap will be integrated into Strava? It has been a year since the announcement & almost 2 months of shutting down FatMap and pretty much zero updates from Strava.

“Exciting News!”… Exciting, for whom?
FATMAP users are still completely on their own and without alternatives.

We're still missing features like avalanche maps, slope gradient, topographic maps, orienteering maps, etc.

Fatmap wasn’t a social tool; it was a safety tool for planning our adventures in technical terrain, not a Kudos counter like Strava.
Terrible decision by Strava to shut down FATMAP before doing anything to integrate it.

This is a letter I wrote for my english class.  I hope Mr. Martin reads this, or someone who can implement improvements for the mapping tools.

Dear Michael Martin,

I am writing regarding Strava’s acquisition of Fatmap. As a long-time Fatmap subscriber, I was sad to see the app retired this October. Fatmap was an invaluable resource for me, especially as I learned to safely navigate the avalanche-prone Colorado backcountry. It provided tools and features that allowed me to make informed decisions and reduce the risks inherent in winter activities. While I understand that the acquisition was likely in the best interest of both parties, I believe Strava has a unique opportunity to use Fatmap’s capabilities to enhance user safety—particularly for winter sports enthusiasts.

Winter activities tracked on Strava carry unique risks compared to summer sports, mainly in the form of avalanches, severe weather conditions, and remote terrain. These risks require a different level of planning and awareness. Many of the public routes on Strava’s map pass through or beneath avalanche terrain. While there is nothing inherently wrong with that, making these terrain hazards impossible to overlook could go a long way in promoting user safety. Fatmap’s gradient overlay allowed users to see the slope angle of their routes, providing crucial information for avoiding avalanche risks. Such information is essential for anyone traveling in mountainous areas, where even a small error in route planning can lead to severe consequences.

Currently, in Colorado, one of the most popular areas on the Strava heatmap is Berthoud Pass. While generally considered a good place for beginners, dangerous avalanche paths are scattered throughout the area—yet there’s no way to recognize these hazards using Strava’s map alone. In 2022, a father and his two sons were caught in an avalanche at Berthoud Pass, tragically resulting in one fatality. Their mistake was inadvertently walking beneath a slope prone to avalanching after recent snowfall. Access to a gradient map could have helped them make a safer choice that day. The inclusion of gradient and avalanche overlays would provide crucial information to Strava users, potentially preventing such tragedies in the future.

Additionally, many of Strava’s users are not formally trained in avalanche safety or risk assessment. By incorporating tools that highlight hazardous terrain, Strava could play a vital role in educating users about the inherent dangers of backcountry travel. For instance, simple visual cues like color-coded gradient maps could make it easier for users to understand which areas are high-risk. Combining this with educational resources, such as pop-up tips or links to avalanche safety courses, could further enhance users' awareness and preparedness.

I’m thrilled to see Strava gaining popularity in the Colorado backcountry—your app is motivating more people to get outside, connect, and enjoy our beautiful state. However, this rise in popularity also means that more inexperienced skiers and snowboarders will venture into highly consequential terrain. Many of these users are unaware of the risks they face or lack the proper equipment and training needed to stay safe. The backcountry is inherently dangerous, and while encouraging exploration is a wonderful thing, it is important to also empower users to do so safely.

The backcountry skiing community has a reputation for gatekeeping skiing zones, often due to safety concerns. Locals refrain from sharing their secret spots not just to keep the powder for themselves, but also to prevent accidents involving inexperienced individuals in dangerous areas. Fatmap, despite having a relatively small subscriber base, was a common tool in the backcountry for precisely this reason—it provided critical information that helped users make informed decisions. By integrating these features into Strava, you could democratize access to important safety information, reducing the need for gatekeeping and promoting a more inclusive outdoor community.

The features that Fatmap offered, such as avalanche risk, slope gradient, and aspect overlays, allowed users to gain a comprehensive understanding of the terrain they were navigating. These overlays provided not just an overview of potential risks but also helped users plan alternative routes when conditions were unfavorable. For instance, slope gradient is one of the key indicators of avalanche risk, as avalanches are most likely to occur on slopes between 30 and 45 degrees. Knowing this information can help users decide whether to proceed, avoid certain areas, or even postpone their trip. Aspect, or the direction a slope faces, also plays a significant role in avalanche safety, as it influences snow stability based on sun exposure and wind loading. Having these insights at their fingertips allows users to make real-time decisions that could save lives.

While some features, like live satellite imagery, may be impractical to implement due to cost, the overlays I’ve mentioned are already available to you as part of Fatmap’s technology. Implementing these features could take one of your engineers only a few days and would require minimal ongoing maintenance. I believe that this is a small investment compared to the value it would bring to the community—enhancing not only user experience but also their safety and trust in Strava as a responsible company that genuinely cares about its users.

Adding these features to Strava would significantly enhance your credibility with the growing base of backcountry skiers and snowboarders. This demographic is passionate about safety and well-being, and they are often looking for tools that will help them recreate responsibly. By making these tools available to all users—both subscribers and free users—Strava could establish itself as the go-to platform for winter athletes. Imagine the goodwill generated by providing these tools to the community—the benefits go beyond just boosting subscriber numbers; they also position Strava as a leader in outdoor safety and innovation. I believe this addition would not only benefit your bottom line but also enhance Strava’s role in promoting safety and responsibility within the community.

Moreover, the potential for Strava to partner with avalanche safety organizations could further amplify the impact of these features. Collaborating with groups like the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) or the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) could provide users with up-to-date information on avalanche conditions, alerts, and educational content. Such partnerships could lead to a safer, more informed community, with Strava playing an active role in facilitating access to crucial safety resources.

The inclusion of these mapping features could also contribute to user retention and engagement. As outdoor enthusiasts grow more experienced, they often seek out more advanced tools that help them push their limits safely. By offering these advanced mapping tools, Strava could cater to a broader range of users—from beginners to seasoned backcountry veterans—ensuring that as users progress in their skills, they continue to rely on Strava for their adventures. This would not only increase user retention but also position Strava as a comprehensive tool that grows alongside its users.

Thank you for considering these suggestions. I am confident that with the integration of these features, Strava can become an even more powerful tool for athletes of all kinds. By prioritizing safety, you will not only create a stronger connection with the community but also save lives. I would be more than happy to discuss these ideas further or provide additional input on how these features could be implemented effectively.

Sincerely,
A hopeful subscriber

Please share any feedback and further ideas for improvements to the map you guys might have!