What is Carv?

Frequently Asked Questions

Ski:IQ™ is a measurement created by Carv to provide a quantified estimate of your ski technique.

It is based on how you perform in the key skill areas of Balance, Edging, Rotary and Pressure. The Ski:IQ™ scoring system is a weighted average of the metrics contained in these skills.

It has a theoretical minimum of 0 and a maximum of 200. Carv tracks your Ski:IQ™ over time so you know when you're improving.

The Carv app and instruction is currently only available in English.

We will be looking to translate Carv into other languages in the future, but we are currently focusing on really nailing the instruction in English before we commit to translating the product into other languages.

Carv is designed for a range of abilities, from early intermediate level skiers all the way through to advanced skiers and instructors.

If you are a complete beginner and have never skied before, we suggest you take a few lessons to become self-sufficient on the mountain. You will need an in-person lesson to teach you the fundamentals of skiing, as well as to catch you if things go wrong! After you have got the basics Carv will be perfect to help you improve and really nail down your technique.

To hear some stories from our Carv users, please click here to read out blog article that features users at a range of ability levels.

There is no version of Carv currently available for snowboarding.

Carv is designed to improve your technique for piste skiing, and is not optimised for off-piste skiing at this time.

However, good on-piste technique lays the foundation for your off-piste skiing. Small deficiencies in pressure, rotation and edging can unravel a skier in the powder or the bumps. Carv can help you identify and fix those small deficiencies in your turns on piste so you can make beautiful fresh tracks when it's that perfect powder day.

Carv does not require an internet connection to record runs - you can still measure your Ski IQ, get live tips, and do much more.

Internet is required to connect to the server so that your runs are saved and visible from your activity page . By going to “Settings” > “Data Syncing”, you can choose whether you want your activity data to be synced using mobile data or only when connected to Wifi.

We would always recommend installing your Carv sensors into your ski boots before travelling in order to prevent them from getting damaged during transit.

As for your Carv trackers; each tracker contains a lithium polymer battery, so remember to store these in your hand luggage when travelling by air. Certain airlines will require you to declare capacities in order to fly with batteries in your hand luggage. The Carv battery capacity is 720mAh per tracker.

We understand that skiing can be an uncertain sport at the best of times, particularly amidst a global pandemic. As such, we are now offering Carv Coverage.

We wish to reassure our community of Carvers that we are here to help should your ski plans be disrupted this winter by covid or any other exceptional circumstance, including injury.

If any of the exceptional circumstances listed above affect you, please get in touch with our customer success team upon receiving your Carv subscription renewal reminder (sent via email two weeks prior to your renewal date) and we will ensure your renewal is postponed to ensure you get the very most out of your Carv Membership the following season.

Whilst Carv has not been optimised for indoor use and we do not officially support it, skiing detection is now possible indoors as we have changed our turn detection to no longer require GPS.

Any functionality that still requires GPS such as measuring speed and distance would not be possible when skiing indoors, additionally in Free Ski mode you will also not receive tips on indoor chair lifts or button lifts as this requires GPS to detect your change in altitude.


Please note for a run to appear on the leaderboard you must make a minimum of 10 turns, and when using Training mode to record drills you must make a minimum of 20 turns for it to be counted whether indoors or outdoors.

iOS

  • Carv requires a minimum of iOS 15 or higher, though we always recommend that you use the latest version of iOS.

Android

  • Carv requires a minimum of Android 8.0 to run, and your phone must support Bluetooth 4.2.

  • Your device must have Google Play services installed.

  • Certain Android devices need to have Battery Whitelist or App locking enabled when using Carv. These include some Huawei, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Samsung and Xiaomi models.

  • The following phones have bluetooth issues that interfere with Carv's ability to track your skiing: Samsung Galaxy A5, Moto G8, LG V20 and all Snapdragon 865 based phones. (Please note, that we do not recommend using Carv with low-end Android devices as these models are unable to meet the demand required for transmitting ski data via Bluetooth. For example the Huawei P30 lite, Honor 8X, Nokia 1 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A12 can not handle the incoming data in real time.)

  • To read more about android compatibility please see our in depth article here.

Carv is the world’s first digital ski coach.

Built with world-class instructors, Carv provides real-time audio coaching and personalised tips as you skii.

At Carv we know that skiing is one of the best sports on earth, but we also know that it is hard to perfect. Most of us don't want to get lessons every day, so we've designed Carv to take the guesswork out of great skiing and help you improve season after season.

  • Carv's smart inserts and trackers can be easily fitted to any ski boot, turning it into a personal coach.

  • Carv provides in-depth analysis of your ski technique presented to you on your smartphone.

  • Carv is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

  • Carv gives you real-time feedback through your headphones to tell you exactly how to improve as you ski.

  • Carv's interactive ski drills adapt to your level so anyone from intermediate/parallel skiers to instructors can (and do) use Carv to improve.

  • With four different skiing modes, Carv offers fun, interactive and effective ways to improve your skiing.

There are four modes you can choose from when skiing with Carv:

Free ski mode - This mode tracks your skiing and analyses your overall technique to give you a Ski:IQ™, with audio feedback and tips once you get on a lift.

Training mode - There are 4 skills, with 20 levels to complete for each, with real time feedback delivered through your headphones.

Challenge mode - Push your boundaries and improve particular movements, with a number of skiing challenges.

Monitor mode - Hear a live direct feed for a specific metric on every turn, these metrics as some of the most important for achieving a high Ski:IQ™.

To read more on each of these modes, see the link below:

Carv's Skiing Modes

Carv ski boot fit guide

There are two main components to Carv's hardware:

  • The sensors - These sit underneath your liner and on top of the boot board. Each one contains 36 pressure sensors and a motion sensor, allowing Carv to analyse the way that you move.
  • The trackers - The tracker contains the battery and the Bluetooth module that communicates with your smartphone. The tracker sits on the side of your ski boot (like a boot warmer) and connects to the smart insert via a cable.

Read more on here:

The Carv Hardware

To use Carv, you will need to download the Carv app onto your smartphone and then enter the code emailed to you post purchase into the Carv app to activate your membership.

The Carv app connects to your trackers via Bluetooth. You can record your runs, view your skiing analysis and experience the drills and coaching content using Carv's app.

Have a look to see if your phone is compatible with Carv, from the full list of over 50 phones we have tested:

Phone Compatibility with Carv

The metrics measured by the 36 sensors in the Carv inserts and group your technique into four fundamental skills, agreed upon by the major skiing federations.

These are Balance, Edging, Rotary and Pressure. Read more on each of these using the link below:

Carv's skiing metrics explained

The Ski:IQ™ is a measurement created by Carv to provide a quantified estimate of your ski technique. It is based on how you perform in the key skill areas of Balance, Edging, Rotary and Pressure. The Ski:IQ™ scoring system is a weighted average of the metrics contained in these skills. It has a theoretical minimum of 0 and a maximum of 200.

Read more:

Ski:IQ™ Explained

Carv is designed for a range of skiers, from early intermediate level skiers all the way through to advanced skiers and instructors.

If you are a complete beginner, we suggest you take a few lessons to become self-sufficient on the mountain first. You will need an in-person lesson to teach you the fundamentals of skiing, as well as to catch you if things go wrong! After you have got the basics Carv will be perfect to help you improve and really nail down your technique.

To read more on how Carv can help skiers of your level, read our article here.

Carv is compatible with most ski boots, but please see the list below for an overview or click here to read our full article on boot compatibility:

  • Racing boots - Yes! However, racing skiers with particularly tight boots may need to modify their boots or boot board to best fit Carv.
  • Apex/Dahu boots - We do not guarantee compatibility with Apex or Dahu boots. Carv is designed for fully enclosed ski boots, however, we have had multiple accounts of customers successfully using Carv in these boots.
  • Custom footbeds and heel lifts - Yes! Carv is installed between the liner and the shell of your ski boots, whereas custom orthotic foot beds and heel lifts sit inside the liner, therefore Carv is compatible with custom foot beds and heel lifts.
  • Boot warmers - Yes! Carv will not be damaged by boot warmers or dryers, it has a maximum continuous operating temperature of 70°C.
  • Plug boots -Yes! But please see our specific installation guide for plug boots here.

Carv is optimised for on-piste skiing. It is not suitable for off-piste skiing or terrain parks. However, good on-piste technique lays the foundation for your off-piste skiing and so Carv is suitable even for advanced skiers to help them improve their technique.

For indoor slopes and ski machines, it is now possible to use Carv as we have changed our turn detection to no longer require GPS. However, any functionality that still requires GPS such as measuring speed and distance would not be possible when skiing indoors. A minimum of 10 turns are required for a run to appear on the leaderboard, and 20 turns for drills in training mode to be registered and so this is not always possible on indoor slopes.

You can also use Carv on dry slopes.

Ski Carving Tips

Contact us

CARV APP

The fastest way for us to help you is through the Carv App. From here we can help you with any questions or issues you have by reviewing your session data and providing troubleshooting steps directly in the App.

LIVE CHAT

Alternatively get in touch with us via Live Chat below. Our agents work from 10am-5:30pm GMT (9am - 1:30pm ET and 9am - 2:30pm PST), Mon-Fri.

EMAIL

For purchase or product assistance, please contact us through the app as it allows us to support you more efficiently.

If you would prefer to email: support@getcarv.com

For business and partner enquiries: partner@getcarv.com

For career and application queries: join@getcarv.com

PHONE

United Kingdom
+44 (0) 20 4571 9678
10am - 5:30pm (GMT), Mon-Fri

United States
+1 239 366 2909
9am - 51:30pm (ET) and 9am - 2:30pm (PST), Mon-Fri

Loved by every level of skier

  • “One of the best investments to improve my skiing I ever made.”

    Randy Babcock

    National Ski Patroller

  • “I got accurate feedback. The same type of coaching my coach would give. I was blown away.”

    Jeremy Bloom

    3x World Champion, 2X Olympian

  • “It did exactly what it said it would do. It has the potential of really educating people on what great skiing is.”

    Jonathan Ballou

    PSIA Alpine Examiner

  • “I could see my skiing improving in only a few hours.”

    Natalya Paul

    Stuff Magazine

  • “Carv shows the truth about how I stand and move vs how I think I move on skis.”

    Michael Rogan

    Head Coach, Pro Ski Instructors of America Demo Team

  • “It was the best purchase I have made in a long time.”

    Jonathon Parton

    Carv customer

  • “Best trainer ever. I learnt more in 1 hour than in one week with a real person. Can't wait for next winter.”

    Christian Müller

    Carv customer

  • “People with me commented on how much better I was skiing”

    Paula C

    Carv customer

  • “Carv was exactly what I was waiting for - instant feedback on my ski technique, and now I really understand the sensation of carving and how to improve.”

    Ruth Louise

    Verified Carv user

  • “Carv brings a new perspective to skiing. The pressure sensors allow you to see exactly what's going on. It really works!”

    Filip Filisar

    Olympian, Ski Cross World Champion

  • “I highly recommend CARV to anyone who wants to improve their skiing technique whilst hurtling down a snowy mountain every year.”

    Patricia Montgomery

    Carv customer

  • “A great and unique tool for any reasonably serious skier.”

    Richard Salzedo

    Carv customer

  • “It's something that not only can help the best racers in the world improve their time by the 1/100th of a second that matter but it can help a whole range of people ski better.”

    Alex Hoye

    Founder, Faction Skis

  • “It visualised a lot of things that you cannot see in the video. It's definitely next level!”

    Luka Krajnc

    Head coach, Slovenian Ski Cross Team

  • “I think that this is very evolutionary for Cross-Country Skiing!”

    Enrico Nizzi

    Olympian, Cross-Country Skier

  • “The whole concept of CARV is mind blowing. Amazing!!”

    John McQuaid

    Carv customer

  • “When I tested Carv, it was constantly analysing my form and reminded me to correct some of my old habits that had resurfaced!”

    Dominic Haffner

    Co-Founder, Unique Skis

  • “It’s not just what you can see, film, or even how the athlete feels. With Carv you actually know what’s happening.”

    Jernej Koblar

    3 Time Olympian, Alpine Skier

  • “The first week of use blew me away. The improvement (noted by my wife) was tremendous”

    Justin

    Carv customer

  • “Fantastic bit of kit - especially for intermediate skiers”

    Christopher Kenny

    Carv customer

  • “I found it useful for pinpointing weaknesses and easily and instantly know I was improving.”

    Xaghra R

    Carv customer

  • “A great way for skiers of any level to improve their technique”

    John

    Carv customer

  • “Instead of not understanding where the problems are coming from, it will be instant.”

    Denis O’Brien

    FFS National Ski Instructors Premier Degree France