How the App Detects Runs vs Lifts vs Rests Automatically

When you record a ski day with Bonvo.Ski, the app does not just save a raw GPS track. It intelligently breaks your day into distinct segments — runs, lift rides, and rest periods — automatically. But how does it know the difference?

The Detection Algorithm

The app analyses several data streams simultaneously to classify each segment of your recording:

• Speed thresholds — Skiing typically happens at speeds above 10-15 km/h, while lift rides move at a steady 5-15 km/h. Rest periods show speeds near zero.
• Direction of travel — Runs go downhill. Lifts go uphill. This seems obvious, but combining elevation change with speed creates a reliable signal that separates the two even when speeds overlap.
• Duration and consistency — A lift ride has a steady, consistent speed over several minutes. A ski run has variable speed with acceleration and deceleration. Rests are prolonged periods of minimal movement.
• Elevation change rate — The rate of altitude gain or loss per minute is a strong differentiator between going up on a lift and going down on skis.

Why This Matters

Automatic detection means your recording stats are meaningful. You get accurate metrics for total descent, number of runs, time spent skiing versus waiting, and top speeds that only count actual skiing — not the gondola ride.

Edge Cases

The algorithm handles tricky situations too — like traversing a flat cat-track, waiting in a lift queue, or stopping mid-run to regroup. It is not perfect in every scenario, but it gets it right the vast majority of the time, giving you a clean, segmented record of your day on the mountain.