I have an app for my iPhone that will pinpoint my position in the ski resort I'm going to in January and also will track how far I've skied during the day and the heights I have gone up to on the ski runs.

Will such an app use any data allowance (especially as it's going to be in France). I believe that GPS doesn't use data but wondering if having this app open to locate me on the piste map will require data.

Thanks.

Do networks even provide coverage on ski slopes. I'd be surprised if they did. Cost of putting a tower up there would be huge

Try Runkeeper. I wanted a similar thing to record the distance when I went for a run. I've also used it when going round a golf course to record how far I've worked. I guess it would record distance on a ski slope, but not sure about height.

You don't mention the app so probably hard for people to say definitively. Recording of GPS tracks doesn't require any data, nor does using GPS to measure height, although it's worth pointing out that this is not hugely accurate. I don't understand the bit about "locating you" in the ski resort - if anything, it may have to use data for that.

Ultimately your best bet is to kill all data connections and then give it a try.

Depending on how it is setup, GPS can use internet access - in order to assist the GPS finding the satellites, so it may be worth checking the GPS settings - eg on some nokias you can turn on/off GPS, Network and Assisted GPS individually.

The app (iphone) is called Les 2 Alpes (as in the name of the ski resort). One of the functions is a piste map showing all the ski runs (as in a traditional paper one) but has the ability to pinpoint your location on that piste map using GPS, which I think will be really useful.

It also has a feature called MySki which can record max Speed, declination, descents, altitude, last speed and distance. It will onyl record if the app is left switched on.

I'm basically trying to establish if any of these features require data or can operate using GPS only.

Thanks.

Why would you need mobile coverage for for a GPS tracking app

As has already been explained, to get a quicker initial satellite lock by using AGPS. A small amount of data per session. In this case the OP could turn that off and have the app running for a few minutes before they need it. But of course GPS tracks get confused by vertical changes in position which means the result will not be as accurate as on the flat.

(I use the Sports Tracker app on my Nokia 5800 for running)