In case you don’t keep up with tech news quite the way I do, I’ll let you in on a little secret – “augmented reality” is poised to be the next big thing on mobile phones and devices – and it poses some really neat possibilities for skiers & riders.

Augmented reality is exactly what it sounds like – an extension of the world that’s actually around you on a smartphone screen. A number of iPhone applications are already doing this quite well – “Layar”, for example, uses the iPhone’s GPS, compass and camera to label places, structures and objects in the physical world on the screen in front of you. It’s pretty amazing stuff.

What does this mean for snowsports? Quite a bit. A number of useful augmented reality apps aimed at skiers and riders are already available for the iPhone, and more are certainly on the way.

Realski, for instance, is an augmented reality trail map built for the iPhone. Load it up and head out to one of more than 80 covered resorts, and you’ll have instant access to a virtual trail map that follows you where ever you go. What’s it like? Download it and try some of the simulations, it’s pretty neat. Imagine a trail sign on every corner pointing you in exactly the right direction.

In addition to trail map apps, a number of mountain identifying apps are currently available that are pretty useful. Imagine a label hanging in the sky over every peak – an app called “Look Around” does just that.

Does this make it too easy, or is all fair in the search for great runs in the backcountry? I say the latter.