The 5 best apps for skiers

Now is the time to hit the slopes, as the temperatures plummet just enough to let fresh powder linger on the ground. A lot goes into a ski trip -- travel arrangements, trail planning, weather tracking, and much more. It can be a bit of a chore, but there are a number of apps that can help you streamline the process. Let's take a look at the five best apps that will help you get up to the mountains faster.

Before you head out, take a quick look at Liftopia, which keeps a running, up-to-date list of discounts on lift tickets, equipment rentals, beginner's lessons and much more. It's a great app to have in your arsenal if you're skiing on a budget.

Liftopia also features a deep database of ski resort information, offering an impressive array of details and photos on ski resorts across North America. It's an easy way to choose which mountain is right for you. It even tracks the weather for each location, so you don't head out into any ugly conditions.

As with any outdoor sport or activity, safety is key. This app lets you track a number of outdoor activities from the advertised hiking, to skiing, to snowshoeing, and many more. Cairn tracks your path so you can easily find your way back should you wander off the trail, and you can even send status updates along the way to keep friends and family assured.

Its crowdsourced topographic maps are downloadable, meaning you don't need a magical wilderness cell phone signal. It lists hotspots where other users have found service if you're in a tight spot, and even provides extensive rescue information.Cairn is a safety must-have.

Trace Snow tracks all facets of your day out on the snow. Keep an eye on which chair lifts you've used, your average speed, calories burned, distance covered, and much, much more. If you like data, this is the app for you. It's an excellent way to track your progress over time if you're looking to improve as a skier or snowboarder.

Another ski-specific data tracker, Ski Tracks shines in its ability to track a full day's worth of skiing without burning through your battery needlessly. The app will give you accurate, easy to parse stats on your speed, altitude, and more with little interference on your part. You can take pictures as you go, and Ski Tracks will tag the precise location -- a neat bonus.

If you're skiing with a group, you'll absolutely want to download SkiLynx. The app lets you track where your friends are, even up to which percentage of the trail they've completed if they're on the way down. Chat with your group with either text messages or preset missives that you can send off with with a single touch. Just, you know, keep your eyes on the trail.

You'll be wondering how you ever managed to pull off a ski trip without these apps. Safety and group communication are essential, and of course you'll want to track your progress as a skier over time. With these apps stashed on your phone, you'll be having your best days out in the snow yet.

What apps do you depend on in snowy conditions? Tell us in the comments!