Lake Tahoe? There's an app for that

LAKE TAHOE - You may have no idea what an Apple iPhone application is, but iPhone and other smartphone users do, which is why organizations are starting to create applications specifically for the Lake Tahoe area.

An application, or an "app" as they are commonly referred to, is software which uses iPhone/smartphone technology such as GPS tracking, a built in tilt-sensor, the ability to search the Internet and any number of the functions on the popular gadget performs and turns those abilities into personal games, restaurant finders or even a level for that off-kilter looking bookcase.

There are thousands of applications to download for the four-and-a-half ounce piece of plastic, electronics and glass.

Already some have entered the Tahoe market. "Snow Motion: Tahoe," released this year by Statalog LLC, challenges both skiers and snowboarders to a number of on-mountain games at Squaw Valley, Northstar-At-Tahoe, Alpine Meadows and Heavenly. Using the iPhone's many abilities, the app can catalog a user's air time, speed and a number of other challenges and instantly creates a leaderboard for each mountain in each category. It also allows users to view a map of the mountain and to find other "Snow Motion: Tahoe" users on the mountain.

The Tahoe Foundation, an Incline Village-based nonprofit, is creating a series of Tahoe-centric iPhone applications to assist visitors and locals.

"They'll really have information about a variety of things, including how to contact emergency services and tips for travelers," said Andrea Profant, executive director of the foundation.

She said the foundation decided to look into developing the apps after her daughter and her friends displayed such comfort with using the iPhone. If she could use the iPhone to enhance their

understanding of Tahoe's history and activities, it would be worth the effort, Profant said.

The apps haven't been launched yet - the Tahoe Foundation is looking to solidify them first through grants - but Profant said they'll provide a number of services for Tahoe-area visitors and locals alike based on the Tahoe Area Regional Transit's routes.

The idea for their tours comes from California-based URaTrip, Inc., which provides guided tours of an area one can download to an iPhone.

Profant said the Tahoe apps will provide tours and give historical perspective at certain stops along the TART's routes.

"As a mom who's daunted by having to drive so much I wanted to create an incentive-based system to find hubs of activity for young people to visit along the TART, giving them information about every stop," Profant said. "We want people to be able to always find the next bus and make traveling around the lake fun."