This device helps keep track of your kids on the hill

Ten years ago, Keith Macintyre experienced a harrowing incident when he lost track of his son.

It was an episode that served as a catalyst for him to develop a technological solution aimed at assisting others facing similar challenges.

“I was riding the chairlift, watching the trees, looking to see if he was hurt. And I didn't care for it,” he told Kelowna10. “I invented skiKrumb. Using radio, we can cover the vastly larger areas of the mountain than the cellphone can.”

skiKrumb is a compact GPS device that was purposefully created to monitor the whereabouts of children and young skiers on the slopes.

Boasting an impressive signal transmission range of up to 20 kilometers, it has proven to be more reliable than AirTags, which have restricted range and functionality in a ski hill environment.

Through a mobile app, it can offer real-time tracking, daily replays of skiers' routes, and gives location updates every 10 seconds. According to MacIntyre, the device has reduced parental concerns, providing a sense of peace on the hill.

“Whether it's five minutes or two hours, it's not a pleasant experience being separated from your child. And I've talked to thousands of parents over the last 10 years, and it usually takes about 10 seconds and I can feel their energy and their anxiety go down,” he explained. “They just feel better about their day. It doesn't happen that often, but things do happen on the ski hill."

The device has been a fixture for families visiting Big White Ski Resort or Apex Mountain Resort for those who choose to rent one for the day. It is also being used at Big White Ski & Board School.

The mobile companion app is available for download in the App Store and Google Play.

skiKrumb is available for both daily rentals and season passes at Big White Ski Resort.

The devices are available for pick-up at Mountain Lifestyle Outlets on Highway 33 in Kelowna.