I tried an AI skiing coach on the slopes in real life: here's what happened

This high-tech solution is like a ski instructor in your pocket

Reviews
By
published
Carv 2 on a ski boot
(Image: © Carv)

TechRadar Verdict

Carv 2 is a unique device that will analyze your skiing technique and provide real-time coaching tips and feedback. This new version makes setup easier, while still providing detailed data capture and information. The different skiing modes provide variety, allowing you to focus on particular parts of your technique, with different levels of feedback available. For skiers looking to improve, Carv 2 is a clever and convenient solution, providing focused analysis for self-improvement – and plenty of fun earning rewards along the way.

Pros

  • +

    Easily clips to ski boot

  • +

    Instant feedback

  • +

    Gamifies your skiing data

Cons

  • -

    Ongoing costs

  • -

    You need to be engaged or you won’t improve

  • -

    Sometimes it’s a bit naggy

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Jump to:

Carv 2 Ski Coach: One minute review

Carv is a system that gathers motion data from your ski boots using sensors, analyses that via the app on your smartphone, and provides feedback through your headphones. It’s a digital ski coach, using advanced algorithms to detect and evaluate your technique, grade it, highlight improvement points, and provide feedback to help you achieve that.

The first version of Carv used pressure-sensing insoles but has now evolved to two sensor units that clip onto your ski boot in Carv 2. That makes setup a breeze, you just clip them on, check the Bluetooth connection to your phone, pop in a headphone and you’re good to go.

The beauty of Carv 2 is that it works in real-time. It can provide audible feedback on each turn, with more detailed evaluation when you stop, or once you get on the lift. Your skiing is captured in incredible detail: this isn’t just a GPS trace like you’d get from a Garmin, you get detailed data through every part of your turn, recording how your weight shifted and how each of your skis behaved.

Carv 2 gamifies your skiing, giving you a Ski IQ score based on your skill (mine is 124) while helping you target the changes you’d have to make to improve your technique. The aim is to help you become a smooth carving skier, but there’s plenty to help you progress to better parallel turns, so it works for a wide range of intermediate to advanced skiers.

Author checking out Carv app on phone

(Image credit: Carv)

Carv is a unique system and incredibly detailed, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, with audio feedback to help you improve, supported by videos in the app to demonstrate what’s being discussed. It’s like having an instructor with you every time you ski, talking in your ear, while hitting new targets is incredibly rewarding.

Carv 2 isn’t suitable for beginners and it can’t teach you to ski from scratch. It’s also fairly expensive: the sensors cost £99, but you need a subscription to use them and that’s £99/$119 for 6 days (a typical ski vacation). Alternatively, you can pay £199, get the sensors free of charge, and have a full year of use – but in future years you’ll need a new subscription, so there’s an ongoing cost.

Carv app

(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)

It’s cheaper than ski lessons, but you have to be engaged with Carv to benefit and you don’t have the advantage of having a real-life person to show you what you’re doing wrong – instead, you might end up with repeated feedback, which can feel a little like nagging.

Carv 2 is perfect for me however: as an intermediate skier, who has plateaued and is unlikely to ever have lessons again because I’d rather ski with my family, Carv 2 lets me make small adjustments to focus on my technique. There’s nothing else like it and for a skier, those stats are really addictive and mean that every run counts.

Skiing with Carv 2

(Image credit: Carv)

Carv 2 Ski Coach: Scorecard

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CategoryCommentScore
PriceCheaper than lessons, but there’s an ongoing cost.4/5
DesignNicely designed hardware and user-friendly app.4/5
FeaturesSki modes make it fun, real-time feedback is great, loads of data.5/5
PerformanceExcellent precision, plenty of focus. Great experience.5/5

Carv 2: Should I buy?

Buy it if…

You’re an intermediate skier

If you love skiing but aren’t getting any better, then Carv 2 could help you make those changes to improve.

You’re a data junkie

Sometimes you just need data and Carv 2 will give you data on everything about your skiing. You’ll get the metrics of your turns, your speed, and the distance you’ve covered, all nicely presented for every ski session.

You feel like you’re held back by friends or family

It sounds mean but … with Carv 2 you can use those slower runs to really focus on your technique and make progress – while skiing with others.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re a beginner skier

If you’re just getting started and you can’t turn, then Carv isn’t for you. Get some lessons to help you learn the basics safely.

You don’t ski regularly

While you could buy Carv 2 for one week of skiing, you’re really not going to benefit unless you’re getting out on the snow regularly – yearly at least.

You don’t like headphones

It might sound silly, but Carv 2 talks to you through your headphones - if you can’t ski with headphones, then you won’t get on with it.

How I tested

I used Carv 2 over two days of skiing on the Stubai glacier in Austria, where I tested all the features. I previously used the original Carv, so had the chance to compare the experience of both systems. During testing, I covered 40km of runs, a descent of 8000m in total, with over 1600 turns across those days. I skied on piste, including some mogul segments. I didn’t have the chance to test it in powder snow. All testing was conducted on a trip paid for and provided by Carv. Carv did not have any say in the content of this article and did not see it before it was published.

First reviewed: November 2024

Chris Hall
Chris Hall

A seasoned veteran of consumer technology writing and journalism, Chris Hall has covered just about every product launched, witnessed the birth of Android, the evolution of 5G, and the drive towards electric cars. You name it and Chris has written about it, driven it or reviewed it, bringing everything into the context of real-world experiences rather than a load of specs and buzzwords. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of Pocket-lint, Chris is now a freelance technology expert, covering all aspects of smartphones, smart homes and anything else connected.