GoPro Hero 6 Black and Downhill Skiing

The GoPro Hero 6 Black is my favorite camera for downhill skiing and any action based activities for that matter.  The reason I really like it for downhill skiing though is that it suits every need I have.

How do I use the GoPro Hero 6 Black

I use an app named Trace Snow that allows me to track all my stats while skiing.  The great thing about this app is that I can also take my GoPro video and overlay the Trace Snow stats on the video itself in real time.  This allows me to watch back and see what I have been doing and how it affected my skiing.  Here is a sample video that I recorded using Trace Snow and my GoPro Hero 6 Black.

I also love the fact that the camera has audio prompts for recording on and off.  This is extremely helpful when you have the camera mounted on your helmet.  For obvious reasons, you cannot see the camera when it is mounted to the helmet you are wearing on your head, so the audio prompts really do assist a lot.  One beep means it has started recording and one beep followed by three quick beeps means that recording has been stopped.

I use the GoPro in many ways when skiing.  I mount it on my helmet, sometimes on the top and sometimes on the side.  Sometimes I face it forwards and some times backwards, depending on what I want to capture.  I also use a selfie stick sometimes so that I can get a view from in front which allows me to see how my skis are positioned at any given time.  In addition to these uses, I also use it quite often to record other skiers so they can see their skiing style.  Do not underestimate the value of being able to see what you are going.  Knowing why your skis or body on a whole feels a certain way is crucial to improving your skiing on a whole.

What are some of the Features I use

The GoPro has a number of features but my favorite feature bar none has to be it’s image stabilization.  On older GoPro’s and other action camera’s we use to have to employ gimbals, or software, in order to smooth out the video.  The GoPro’s stabilization takes care of all of this for you.  It is by far the best on the market in my estimation and not having to employ a gimbal, which really was the best way to handle it before, makes this feature my hands down favorite.

Another feature that I really like about the GoPro Hero 6 Black is the fact that it is waterproof all on it’s own.  It used to be that we had to buy special cases for our action camera’s in order to make them water proof.  That is no longer necessary as it is now completely waterproof.  In fact I even tested it out in my fish tank to make sure because I didn’t think it could be true.  lol  Here’s a video clip of my fish tank with the GoPro.  🙂

So, why does it matter if it is waterproof? Well, simply put, snow melts.  If you are out on a snowy day and you go inside for something to eat or a refreshment, the snow is going to melt and the water is going to run all over your camera.

Other Features

About the author: Hiking World

My name is Tom Thayer and I love hiking and have built this site to record my many hikes and adventures. I am currently a trail captain for the Bruce Trail Conservatory and I am very glad I can give back some of what the Bruce has given me. I also sit on the board for the Dufferin Bruce Trail Club and was recently awarded the Volunteer of the Year award by the Bruce Trail Conservancy for my work on the developing their new Hike Schedule.

I have many hobbies other than hiking, such as music, drones, skiing, robotics, computers, all kinds of sports, etc….

I really hope you enjoy this site and feel free to drop me a line if you have anything you wish to add or discuss about the site, or just plain say hello.