Using maps in HOA Management is key to communicating all the most important items of the property. How you deliver that information comes in many forms from screen shots from your favorite free map platform, Adobe design, to using a full GIS. Lots of options for different costs and level of detail. If you are looking for the latter option here are some options that might be of interest that could help your business.

We will be showcasing three types of map products. Traditional PDF Maps, External Interactive Maps and Internal Interactive Maps.

Specifically we start with the following deliverables.

Aerial with Parcels

Using a GIS you have the ability to bring in current parcels and streets automatically. Using this data you can populate the labeling of each parcel with unit and address information. Manual placement of these labels for easy reading helps readability. Multiple imagery provider options can further add to the completeness of the map. This is a map that Mapsynergy can create for your project.

Aerial Landscape Map

Starting from the previous Aerial with Parcels map we can now add landscaping areas based on the parcels and imagery. Area or SF can be calculated if needed. This is a map that Mapsynergy can create for your project.

Aerial Snow Removal Map

Continuing from the previous Aerial with Parcels map we can now add snow removal areas based on the parcels and imagery. Area or SF can be calculated if needed. This is a map that Mapsynergy can create for your project.

Sprinkler Zones

Sprinkler example with zones and types of watering methods. Can be used to quickly find the right zone for shutoff and repair. This is a map that Mapsynergy can create for your project.

Access Points

This industrial sample was crafted to show the locations of key points. Shutoffs for gas, electrical, keybox, telecommunications, water and AC to name a few. This is a map that Mapsynergy can create for your project.

We showcase all the ways you can save time and money in managing your HOA here.

The season isn’t over for me (and won’t be for a while) but the annual update is now finished.

631 Resorts (The only provider of complete North American coverage)

29,478 Named Runs

4,136 Lifts

332,073 Acres

Full interactive dashboard here.

262 or 41% of North American ski resorts had some kind of map change this season. That is higher than average due to the increase in the number of new projects to accommodate the growing number of skiers/riders at most resorts this year. Primary driver IMO? The growing multi-resort mega pass. I track that as well here.

What changed? New lifts or carpets, new runs added or adjusted alignments, added cross country trails, terrain parks that moved, learning areas adjusted, amenities moved locations or new added or old removed, new access gates located, additional parking added, future lift plans or expansions included.

Why is this important? Having the most up to date Skimap data is what sets this platform apart from the rest. Not only is this current for North America, but it’s also the most robust and complete dataset available to the general public.

Where to next? I’m planning several improvements to the initial launch of my skimap.com platform. Along with even more resorts added to the database.

Want in on this Skimap goodness? Drop me a line.

Mapsynergy – Distinctive Ski Resort Maps, Map Guy

Using maps in Commercial Real Estate is key to communicating all the most important items of the deal. How you deliver that information comes in many forms from screen shots from your favorite free map platform, Adobe design, to using a full GIS. Lots of options for different costs and level of detail. If you are looking for the latter option here are some options that might be of interest that could help your business.

We will be showcasing three types of map products. Traditional PDF Maps, External Interactive Maps and Internal Interactive Maps.

Traditional PDF Maps

Traditional PDF Maps are closely used with existing marketing efforts. These maps can be included within the flyer or offering that is assembled within Adobe Design. Also these maps can be used as a standalone map for tenant or landlord specific uses.

Continue Reading Here

After scrubbing my entire resort database yet again this offseason and adding more detail and data to the existing database. I have now passed 500 ski resorts with a target of 560 for this upcoming season, including 100+ resorts in Canada. I am aiming to have the most accurate and complete library of ski resort data and resulting maps in North America.

Growing organically takes time and lots of input from you, my fans of better ski resort maps. I hear what you are wanting by your feedback on the site and through your purchases at all the available stores. I am working directly with several resorts for this season as well for even better trail maps. The resorts are looking for something better than the traditional flat map products. They had great results using both off network and 3D web offerings last season.

I love hearing from you because it drives me to deliver new offerings. A win win for everyone. Find your favorite resort at the new combined site of Mapsynergy.com. If I don’t have the resort you are looking for let me know. Read more on my ski related posts here.

Thanks for the support!

Matt

Our longest running option is Avenza maps. Where you can get off network versions for your mobile device. Track your location, plot locations and photos and measure distance all on top of our GPS accurate skimaps.

Redbubble was our fist success into the realm of skimaps for more art purposes. We though large format prints would be the biggest driver but home goods options have been the surprise best seller.

Learning about home décor more we opened up Society6 with even more items for the home that made an even bigger splash. Like this huge wall mural option.

We formed a partnership with Powder Addicts. They specialize in ski & board related products. Hooded Blankets, Neck Gaiters and Puzzles are a huge success on their site.

The newest of the bunch id TeePublic. We tried new minimal resort 3D versions for starters.

With more options and partnerships in the works we think the future for accurate skimaps is headed in the right direction. Let us know what you think about our skimap stores!

In working with SkiUtah (and being a member, which we love) we found they were having a hard time explaining to guests what The SkiUtah Interconnect Tour was. Where the tour went, what resorts it covered and what the terrain looked like were popular questions. So we decided to help Mapping out the SkiUtah Interconnect.

What is The Interconnect Tour? It’s a day ski tour that crosses multiple resorts in the Wasatch Range led by a dedicated guide all geared for the advanced skier. Because that is hard to explain in text so we naturally thought let’s put this in a map.

We talked with SkiUtah to investigate the typical routes they take. They offer two versions, a Deer Valley departure and a Snowbird departure. The Deer Valley departure covered Deer Valley, Park City, Brighton, Solitude, Alta and Snowbird. The Snowbird departure covered Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, Brighton and back to Snowbird. Both being different levels in skill requirement.

Our goal was to help illustrate the routes to clients in an easy to understand way. We putt both tours in a dedicated webmap for each with the routes (up and down) along with an elevation profile tool that guests can size up the route beforehand so they know what they are getting into. The webmap is also mobile ready so if they waited until the way up to the start they could still check everything out.

Here is what we came up with for the Deer Valley departure.

And the Snowbird departure.

Reports back from skiers and riders that have used the webmaps before the tour said they were more at ease before going on the tour.  In conclusion, now that you have seen what The Interconnect Tour is, why don’t you give it a go? Read more on our ski related posts here.

Lets say you are out taking pictures of locations with your phone. Possibly for an upcoming real estate tour.  Go into your phone settings and make sure that location tags (Geotagged) are enabled. This means that every time you snap a picture with your phone, location data will be captured and tagged to your photo in the background. Think time, date, location (Latitude & Longitude) based on your inboard GPS or Triangulated position. Geo Locate Photos Automatically without breaking a sweat.

Why is this important? Well there are pieces of software out there that can read that location information. If you have your Geotag turned on you can send the photos to us here at Mapsynergy. These photos can be run through a script that plots a location on the map for each photo based on that Geotag info.

This can speed the time it takes to make that tour map since the location info is already hiding in your data. Important information can be added to the dataset like tour number or location name even active rates. The end product could be a simple PDF map or more interesting a web map that you can click on each tour location and see the picture you just submitted.

Want one for yourself? Contact us.

What was missing in the two options they had access to? The plat had addressing and lot information along with property lines and right of ways. It was missing context of the actual aerial photography. The second option was aerial imagery and streets that was used more but lacked the detail needed due to it’s small size and lack of parcel info. A new class of map that brought everything together in one place.

HOA Maps

With that information we set off to build a larger format map that contained all of the key pieces they were missing, Parcels with Addresses & Lot numbers, Street names and current Aerial Imagery. With this assembled maps created and delivered the project expanded. What happens when the HOA needed to bid out landscaping or snow removal? Two new versions were now needed.

Using current high resolution imagery along with county parcel data we started drawing in landscaping and snow removal areas. Once collected we noted each layer and colored them appropriately for easy understanding for the viewing audience.

The new HOA Maps can now be used for for both general reference and specific bidding purposes in one unified product. Making everyone happy with the end result.

Another conversation that just needed someone to assemble the parts into something that is more useful than the separate pieces.

Have a map need? Or don’t know exactly what you need? Contact us.

Navigation Challenges

With being lost such a widespread thing you think there would be all kind of possible solutions for the masses. While there are many solutions out there the core issue comes from figuring out where you are vs where you want to go. Most people will try this visually by looking at their surroundings and some will use some form of map and most surrounding ski resorts are more artistic representations vs actual reality. This is a location question pure and simple.

One notable quote we heard on the chair while looking at the resort map was, “I can never follow these trail maps when they stretch them. I can’t relate to it and find where I am let alone lunch.” Others mentioned they wanted a more realistic version including topo based markers they could follow. Both things do not exist on the trail map of today.

How do you help people overcome their navigation challenges? We suggest making their location easier to understand. Helping them trace their tracks from starting point to ending point. The faster you can do this the faster you can project forward to the next step.

We do this with standardized skimaps that have consistent markings and true world scale and directions. Also being GPS enabled knowing where you are is just a button push away at any time. All making where to find lunch much faster and easier. Leave the challenges on the mountain up to the terrain in front of you, not in how to get to it.

Find out more here.

Optimizing Union Election Locations

We were contacted by Food Workers Union whose members *(numbering in the thousands) covered multiple states and hundreds of locations. The Union wanted to optimize poling locations for their upcoming elections. They wanted targeted locations within a certain distance and drive time of each store. The Union also wanted to keep crowds to a minimum so an upper limit of members per poling location was added.

With this information, we analyzed the location patterns of the data and provided a draft of preferred sites. We provided information in both map and excel form so the union could see the results and make revisions. With the preferred revisions from the union, we re-analyzed the preferred locations and finalized the process.

The end product was a large format PDF map of all locations and an excel list of selected locations. The map included all locations with the selected sites highlighted. Distance rings and drive time areas around each of the selected sites. Along with a resulting Trade Area used to calculate the max members per location.

Using this geographic analysis of Union locations and the associated membership numbers we successfully streamlined the poling location selection process. Optimizing the entire process for all involved.

We can perform this geographic analysis (or additional queries) for your Union or local membership as well. Let us know how we can help.