The Elevator Pitch
Many of your options for weekend adventures depend on the time of year and which mountain pass roads are open and operational. This app provides the real-time status for every major mountain pass in Switzerland with additional information for each. While the app is German-only it’s easy to navigate regardless of your language level.
Functionalities and Scenarios
Status
There are essential two levels of information in this app: a list of mountain pass roads with their status and availability; either listed alphabetically or by the distance from your phone (using its GPS). From this screen you can also mark certain mountain passes as Favorites for quicker access.
Each mountain pass
The individual screens for each mountain passes provide a wealth of information (all in German). Beyond a basic description it provides several photos of each pass (or the surrounding mountains), access to a live webcam, and a Karte which places the mountain pass and the road on a standard map. I’ve even used this little feature to plan trips by starting from which mountain pass to drive (I want to eventually drive them all) and define a larger trip around it.
Angebote (offers)
When I was reviewing the app for this review I also noticed a new feature: additional app screens for various restaurants and hotels near the pass or along the pass road. This is almost like a little mini tourist guide for getting the most out of driving the mountain roads. Each subsequent screen has pictures, a description, along with pricing and availability information. Almost all have additional links which take you to your phone’s browser to visit their dedicated website. I am pretty sure I’ll be using this hidden feature more and more as I check off more mountain roads off my list.
User Experience
This is a simply, attractive app which does what it does with minimal fuss. The list of mountain pass roads is short enough that I’ve never used the Favorites functionality and I wish the Angebote were more readily available and/or available on a map but it’s good content that can make planning a mountain pass adventure easier. This app has been on my phone for years and will continue to do so.
Price : CHF ~4.00
