What to Expect as FATMAP Transitions to Strava

[Scout]

Hello Community Members, 

We are here to let you know what to expect as FATMAP transitions to Strava. 

FATMAP and Strava joined forces in January 2023 to make outdoor experiences more accessible. Over the next several months, FATMAP's 3D maps and other features will be built into Strava to create the world’s best platform for planning, navigating, and sharing outdoor adventures with the largest global community of active people.

As we move towards this joint mission, we will retire the FATMAP app and website on October 1, 2024. Until then, you’ll be able to use all the FATMAP features you currently enjoy. After October 1, several FATMAP features will be available in Strava, and the FATMAP app and website will no longer be available.

FATMAP users who wish to transfer their routes or receive copies of their adventures, routes, waypoints, photos, and guidebooks should follow the steps outlined here by October 1st. 

We know you may have questions about this, please read below and let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.....

When will this happen?
FATMAP will be discontinued on October 1st, and you will no longer be able to use the FATMAP app and website. Please make sure that you have downloaded your account data by this date if you wish to keep a copy.

Are you going to maintain the current app until October 1st?
Yes, the current FATMAP app will remain available until October 1st. 

Will the FATMAP app remain on my device after October 1st?
The app will remain on your device until you delete it, but it will no longer be usable after October 1st.

Which FATMAP features will be built into Strava?
Bringing mapping technology from FATMAP to Strava continues to be a key priority for us. FATMAP's 3D map is already visible in Strava's Flyover feature, and now includes the ability to pause and modify flight speed. You can also see FATMAP's 3D map images in the Strava feed. 

As we look ahead, we are in the process of integrating FATMAPs 3D map, including winter satellite maps and terrain tools, into other map screens within the Strava app and website.

In addition, FATMAP route content, excluding user generated content, will be moved to Strava. We are currently working on the new home for these routes so they can be used seamlessly within the Strava app. Please note that you can also proactively transfer your routes on FATMAP to Strava before October 1st using our data tool here, which we encourage you to do. 

We appreciate that many of you use certain FATMAP features that will not be available in Strava in time for the coming northern hemisphere winter. This includes waypoints, personal guidebooks, national topo maps (including IGN and OS maps), offline map downloads of the FATMAP map and live snow and piste information. We are exploring adding these and similar features to Strava in the future. 

Will I be able to transfer my Routes to Strava?
You can transfer your Routes to Strava using the data tool here. You can find information on how to access your Routes on the Strava website here and in the app here. Please note that only the route title, description, and route line can be transferred to Strava. If you wish to keep other information about the route, such as assigned grades and photos, please export it as well. 

Your Adventures, Guidebooks, and Waypoints can not be transferred to Strava; please use the tool here to download them.

Strava is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and our services are provided to you by Strava Inc. By using Strava Services, you consent to your data being processed in the U.S.

Do I need to transfer my Routes to Strava to use the Strava subscription voucher?
You can use the Strava subscription voucher without transferring your Routes to Strava. If you choose to transfer your data to Strava, you consent to your data being transferred from FATMAP to Strava Inc. For more information regarding Strava's data processing practices and your rights, please see our Privacy Policy. 

Whether you transfer your routes to Strava or not, we recommend you export all your account data before the October 1st deadline. After October 1st, this data will be permanently deleted.

Can I download a map to use offline in the Strava app?
Yes, you can download and follow a route offline on Strava. Instructions for making a route available offline here and for following it in the app here. You can also export a route to your GPS device or export the GPX file.

How do I export my account data?
You can export your account data here. 
We recommend you export all your account data before the October 1st deadline. After October 1st, this data will be permanently deleted. Please note that only Routes you created yourself are exported. Routes created by other people and saved in your guidebooks will NOT be in your data export. If you wish to save these routes and you have an Explore subscription, you can export the gpx file from FATMAP as described here.

I have already exported my account data, but I want to continue using the FATMAP app. How can I make sure I do not lose any data?
You can export your account data multiple times, though no more than once per day. We recommend keeping the downloaded data you already have as a backup and then repeating the export process once you have finished adding any new routes, adventures, waypoints, and guidebooks to your FATMAP account. Please note that you will no longer be able to export your data after the October 1st shutdown, so it is important that you make your final export by this deadline.

How do I delete my FATMAP Account?
You can delete your account either via our mobile app or our website. Once you have deleted your account, you cannot retrieve your data. You can export your account data and delete your account here. If you wish to delete your account without exporting your data, you can also do that via the Settings menu in the mobile app, following these steps: Profile tab > three lines top right > Settings > My Account > Delete account. 

Please note that after October 1st, all user account data will be permanently deleted; please make sure you export your data before then.

I have migrated my Routes to Strava but want to continue using the FATMAP app. How do I proceed?
You can migrate your Routes to Strava multiple times, but not more than once per day. Routes that have already been migrated will not be duplicated. After October 1st, you can no longer use the FATMAP app.

I have a FATMAP Explore membership with my Strava subscription; what will happen to my Explore access after October 1st?
You will continue to enjoy certain FATMAP features on Strava. Your access to the FATMAP app and website will end on October 1st.

Will my Explore privileges remain valid after October 1st?
No, please collect your codes here and use them before October 1st. Strava offers some brand discounts via Challenges, and you can find out more about them here.

What will happen to my FATMAP Explore subscription after October 1st?
If your current subscription does not include Strava, we will provide you with a 6-month Strava subscription voucher so you can continue to enjoy certain FATMAP features on Strava. If the subscription period for which you have paid has not yet expired, you are also eligible for a prorated refund. In this case, please send us a message at explore@fatmap.com. 

How do I get a refund?
If you do not wish to avail of the voucher offering for a Strava subscription and your current subscription period on FATMAP has not yet expired, you are eligible for a prorated refund. Please send your refund request to explore@fatmap.com.

I have a Pro account with FATMAP. Will I get the same access in Strava?
Our Pro Access program will not continue, however you may be eligible for a Strava Pro Badge. You can find out more and apply here.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions. If there is a feature on FATMAP that you would like to see on Strava, please add that to our Ideas Board here.

We welcome your feedback regarding this update and ask that you keep on topic and abide by our Community Guidelines.

[feylaa]

Where is the Winter 3D Map with offline download of the map, i can't find it. Fatmap says that the maps are now in strava ?

[mcoupe]

Hahaha you don’t believe Strava do you? FATMAP is dead and buried along with 99% of its useful features. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAiTkcbiUYA/?igsh=MTAwb3hueGs5czBqaA==

[STEEP_TREES]

SLOPE ANGLE SHADING PLEASE

[m4d]

They've done it...

Fatmap is dead and strava has ABSOLUTELY NONE of the fatmap features.
I was hoping until today they would keep fatmap online past the deadline because they were not able to upgrade strava in time...but i was wrong.

Such a shame. Sad world we live in.

[Benpope80]

Such a poor show from Strava, buy fatmap close fatmap leave us in limbo without an alternative for the forthcoming winter 🤨🤨🤨

[OrphanOfFatMap]

Dear Orphans of FatMap,
it was a pleasure to chat with you all.
Hoping we can chat again into another platform, a new born again FatMap.
Thanks to all FatMap developers.

[scree]

As I don’t pay for Strava, (I will come back to that), it’s not possible to see what benefit I’d get from redeeming the “voucher”. Judging from all of the conversation I have been able to find on line, very little of FATMAP’s useful features have been or will be replicated. This is not only disappointing, it is actually dangerous. I am not a pro, nor can I afford to take a guide with me in all situations. So the safe route planning features of FATMAP became invaluable to me. And the pricing, even though I would use the app occasionally through the year still seemed a reasonable proposition. Of course this is not the case and I’ll go back to planning on 2d paper using my intelligence and experience to minimise risk. It will take longer, will not be as safe, but it’s what I have.

I have been a long time user of Strava’s cycling and running features, and they are good. Mainly I’ve enjoyed posting routes with photographs and sharing that experience with followers around the world. In turn I have enjoyed seeing the activities enjoyed by many others around the world. I may have been interested at times in some of the subscription features, but always recall the times when Strava has moved features that were, useful and popular behind the paywall. I understand it’s a business, but frankly I am not interested in paying for entertainment. There are a gazillion ways I could do that without substance or genuine rewards. So when strava decided I had to pay to create segments for them, I declined and removed all the segments I’d created for other people in the community. Yeah do don’t get my input for free.

For the last three weeks or so I have been testing whether I can manage without Strava all together. I’ve actually enjoyed rides where I didnt have to race, or post process. It’s not like I need to prove anything, but I will miss contact with the friends I have made (and will never meet) on Strava. 

We live in a natural world. Everything we create is subject to entropy. Left unattended all will collapse and return to a stable state. This is as true of our virtual world as it is true of me an aging yet still active human being.

I leave with this final note. To those employees at FATMAP good luck. Progress always comes at the expense of some disruption. Thank you for creating something good, that made life safer for many skiers and mountaineers. I hope you wont pursue careers at Strava, you already probably presume as much yourselves. If you can once again provide a service that is not only ‘fun’ but valuable please exercise your skills and the FATMAP community will be grateful. 

Now where do I get my refund 🤣

[OrphanOfFatMap]

You're right
I subscribe all you said.

[rkid]

Such a shame that Strava bought Fatmap. Fatmap will always be a better mapping tool that Strava could ever be.

[stuarte]

Dear Strava, the absolutely critical missing feature here is avalanche terrain overlays. This is an essential safety tool for a large number of winter recreationists. (It is particularly useful over 3D satellite maps, where the extent of tree cover can be seen.)

Shutting down Fatmap without offering this on Strava appears highly irresponsible at a minimum.

Along with the negative impact on users, this is surely one of the worst cases of self-inflicted corporate reputational damage I have ever seen in the outdoor community.

It is a bit like a company swooping in and buying a town's only bike shop, and then shutting it down. All the while telling customers that they are "exploring" the idea of another bike shop, and that it is "a key priority for us." 

Perhaps Strava is counting on the fact that it is something of a behemoth in the cycling social-media and mapping space, with a large community of users, and also on knowing exactly how many users Fatmap has and by extension their potential influence.

In this regard it's worth noting that here in Colorado there is significant overlap among and communication between enthusiasts of different types of outdoor recreation. I'm sure this is also the case in other parts of the country, much less the world, where these sorts of activities are popular. For example, I lead winter ski tours as well as road and gravel cycling tours. I see different people, but also a lot of the same people. How likely am I to use or recommend Strava given this experience? How likely are others like me?

Perhaps Strava has made cold, rational calculation regarding the impact to their business -- e.g. there are surely infrastructure and engineering costs to keeping Fatmap around even in a maintenance mode -- but I wonder if they have fully weighed the benefits versus the risks of this decision, much less weighed whether this is at all the right thing to do.