A 12+ month partnership that shipped a production-ready ski navigation platform end-to-end.
Snonav set out to solve a problem every skier experiences, finding the fastest and safest route across large ski resorts without constantly stopping to read maps. SpireDesk partnered with Snonav as both a software development partner and engineering extension, delivering the mobile application while embedding three experienced engineers into their product team. Together we built a production-ready platform that combines GPS routing, live trail intelligence, offline navigation, and voice-guided directions designed specifically for ski resorts.
SpireDesk didn't just deliver code, they helped us design and ship a category-defining product alongside our team.
Snonav is redefining navigation for skiing and snowboarding
Snonav is an innovative TravelTech startup creating the first navigation platform built specifically for skiing and snowboarding. Unlike traditional map applications, Snonav provides turn-by-turn navigation across ski resorts with personalized routing, live lift status, offline navigation, and group coordination features to maximize time on the mountain.
Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Real-time GPS routing across ski resorts with skier-specific guidance.
Personalized Routing
Routes tailored to skill level, preferred trails, and group composition.
Offline Navigation
Reliable guidance across low-connectivity zones deep on the mountain.
Live Lift & Trail Status
Up-to-date resort information integrated directly into the route engine.
Voice-Guided Directions
Hands-free, glove-friendly audio prompts while skiing.
Group Coordination
Features that help groups stay together and meet up across the resort.
Ship a reliable navigation product built for the mountain
Snonav needed an experienced engineering partner capable of shipping a production-quality mobile application, standing up scalable backend infrastructure, and supporting real-time GPS navigation with offline reliability, all while scaling engineering capacity without slowing feature delivery. Because navigation requires high reliability, every feature had to perform consistently even in areas with limited connectivity.
Production-Quality Mobile App
Snonav needed a polished, reliable mobile experience ready for real skiers on the mountain from day one.
Scalable Backend Infrastructure
Backend systems had to support real-time GPS navigation and live resort data at scale.
Offline-First Reliability
Navigation had to keep working consistently in areas with limited or intermittent connectivity.
Engineering Capacity
The team needed to scale delivery speed without slowing feature output or compromising quality.
Product partner + staff augmentation team
SpireDesk became an extension of the Snonav engineering organization by providing three dedicated software engineers who collaborated directly with the client's leadership and product team. Our engineers contributed across the full software lifecycle, organized into three concurrent tracks:
Mobile Application Development
We built the Snonav mobile app end-to-end using React Native, from core navigation flows to onboarding, group features, and settings, with a strong focus on performance and usability in real ski conditions.
- React Native app
- UX for skiers
- Onboarding flows
- Group features
Backend & Navigation Engine
We designed and implemented the backend APIs, GPS routing logic, and offline synchronization layer that powers turn-by-turn navigation, live resort data, and personalized routes.
- Node.js APIs
- GPS routing logic
- Offline sync
- Maps integration
Embedded Delivery
Three SpireDesk engineers embedded directly with Snonav's product leadership, joining their planning, standups, and releases, so feature work, QA, and production deployments moved as a single team.
- Feature development
- QA support
- Maintenance & bug fixing
- Production deployments
Numbers that tell the story
- Mobile Development
- Backend Engineering
- API Development
- Product Engineering
- QA Support
- Maintenance
- Feature Development
Built for reliability on the mountain
A cross-platform React Native app backed by a Node.js and TypeScript services layer, chosen for performance, offline reliability, and fast iteration on mobile.
A production-ready platform, delivered together
The partnership enabled Snonav to accelerate product delivery while maintaining engineering quality. The collaboration gave Snonav the engineering capacity needed to continuously improve its product while focusing internally on business growth.
- Delivered a production-ready ski navigation platform
- Turn-by-turn navigation across ski resorts
- Offline route guidance in low-connectivity zones
- Personalized route planning for every skier
- Live navigation updates powered by resort data
- Faster release cycles through the staff augmentation model