OUTMAP: The Best Mapping App to Replace FATMAP

Back in 2018, I was reading Wade Davis’ incredible saga, Into the Silence, which is the history of early attempts to climb Everest. The book provides detailed descriptions of British expeditions trying to find a passage not just up Everest, but a way to reach Everest from the Tibetan side.

I found myself trying to follow their efforts on Google Earth, but with limited information as a map source with names, passes, etc.., I couldn’t figure out exactly where the expeditions were exploring. This was around the same time that FATMAP was becoming popular so I gave their hi-res imagery a try. Boom! Suddenly it all made perfect sense. With FATMAP’s detailed imagery of the north and east side of Everest, passes named, modern trails marked, and all the valleys labeled, I could easily track exactly how the early Mallory/Irvine expeditions reached Everest to what is now the standard route from the Tibetan side of the mountain.

It also revealed how valuable FATMAP was as a resource.

In the following years, FATMAP became my map of choice. It gave me hi-res imagery of the entire world, including every trail, peak, pass, and plenty of points of interest. I put it to the test throughout the Himalaya, California’s Sierra Nevada while working on Sierra Trail Runs : A Guide to the Eastside, and of course the Alps while studying trail running routes.

In 2024, Strava acquired and closed down FATMAP. Like so many other users, I was lost without this tool. I wasn’t just using FATMAP for the mapping functionality, I had also developed a rule with my phone; instead of looking at social media when I was bored, I had to study some part of the world on FATMAP. 

Since then, I’ve downloaded several different map apps that call themselves FATMAP alternatives. All fell short. I also read numerous blogs and articles by users lamenting the loss of FATMAP and how nothing out there comes close.

Then, a friend encouraged me to take a look at OUTMAP, saying that for him, it was the closest thing to FATMAP. I downloaded it, signed up for the free trial, and immediately saw the potential. It also scored points when I got an immediate, and very friendly response, from the developer to my inquiry about some bugs I found.

While the app was originally designed for backcountry skiing, my needs from the app are for trail running, studying terrain for off-trail scrambling, alpine climbing, and trip planning in mountainous regions. 

Now, months after installing it, I am very much on board with OUTMAP. In fact, ALPSinsight is partnering with the OUTMAP team to help with development and testing. We can confidently say that this is by far the best mapping app out there, and it’s only going to get better. Here’s why:

OUTMAP

OUTMAP is a small team of Canadians, all passionate ski tourers. The founder, Félix Gourdeau, started working on the app as a fun project for his ski posse. With the demise of FATMAP, they wanted their own mapping platform with custom 3D imagery and a topo map with all the necessary layers for planning ski tours and evaluating terrain. The result was a map so good that they decided to continue its development and viability. Today, OUTMAP 1.0 is available for both iOS and Android. 

While still in its early stages, it is ready to use. After getting to know the platform, then volunteering to test the app, I’ve become very confident in it for mountain planning.

Map Layers

OUTMAP’s base map is a cleaned up Mapbox topo, similar to what all primary map apps use. While some apps have names on every feature, others don’t provide enough or are difficult to see in the sun. I find that OUTMAP has just the right amount of information in the form of labeled peaks, passes, and points of interest. Best of all, the trails are easy to see, high contrast lines that stand out over the contour lines.

The primary feature of OUTMAP is the quality of the imagery plus how quickly, and smoothly, the app lets you view and interact with it. Either Mapbox or Maxar satellite imagery can be selected for the base map. Winter imagery is also available, but is still in beta at the time of writing. Depending on where you are in the world, you may find the quality of Mapbox or Maxar better – so, you have options for the best results.

The satellite imagery can be toggled on as a layer, but will not pop in until switched into 3D mode. This took me some time to figure out but somehow feels right. I don’t really care to see the imagery looking straight down, it’s something I want to interact with and be able to move around within the terrain. When I need it, I hit the 3D button.

Additional layers include OpenStreetMap, Ski Pistes, and Bike Trails.

Finally, there are terrain layers for backcountry ski touring. These include slope angle, aspect, avalanche risk, flats, elevation bands, and custom terrain layer shading. For those who used FATMAP to study ski terrain, this will all look very familiar.

The Spotter

You’ll immediately notice a red bullseye in the center of your map. You won’t know what it is, and, neither did I. It’s what OUTMAP calls the Spotter and it’s something that you probably didn’t know you needed. 

While using the app, your location is the usual blue dot. Want to know how far away something is at any given zoom level? Slide the map with your finger until the Spotter is on it and you’ll see the distance it is from you along with the elevation difference. In addition, you can slide any point of interest beneath the Spotter and learn its elevation, or check two points and the elevation difference is your vertical relief. 

The more you use the Spotter, the more you’ll understand how useful it is.

Clean & Simple Maps

My one gripe with FATMAP was that it was bloated. I have zero interest in community content as it is usually a whole lot of bullshit. FATMAP wanted to feed me millions of routes that people added. I kept it switched off, but it always seemed to find its way to being toggled back on.

OUTMAP does not show community content. When I open the app, it’s a map. And that’s what I’m there for. The future plan is to offer curated guides for focus regions, nevertheless, the map is the core feature.

Offline Maps

In every map app I’ve used, what you have saved for offline use is surprisingly confusing. OUTMAP shows you exactly what you have available for offline use by coloring the area of the map red that is saved to your device. You can download up to 4000 tiles (approximately 700km2) along with whatever layers you select to be shown on the map. For those that know the Alps, 4000 tiles will get you the Alps from Chamonix to Zermatt.

Folders and Library

OUTMAP offers an easy to use folder and library structure for storing routes, tracks, and points of interest. Another super simplified system that shines.

Bugs

Some current issues you may discover are:

• Route plotting inconsistencies with the Magnetic Tool. Right now, the snap to feature requires smaller sections to be selected at a time or with a high zoom level set. 
• The Search Function is spotty. Searching for a common place or point of interest doesn’t always result in what you want. A fix is in the works.

The Future of OUTMAP

After a very positive response to the release of the app, Félix and his team now have the momentum to get OUTMAP to V2.0. This will include several key new features along with existing bug fixes. That said, V1.0 works, and it works well.

The major updates coming this year:

• Summer user needs
• Desktop version
• A more polished UI
• Realtime stats while tracking (pace, calories, etc)
• Steps to integrate guidebooks with curated content

Félix encouraged me to remind people that OUTMAP wants to hear your feedback. If you start using OUTMAP and have points to discuss, or special needs, they are going to pay attention. When I first started using it and had questions, I got instant help. I even saw my own requests addressed in updates. I feel like I’m working with friends to help build something that I really use now, and will continue in the future. It’s rewarding to be a part of the evolution.

If you’re interested in joining this journey, download the app and see the potential for yourself. Socially, you can follow them here.

They’ve also created a survey to better understand people’s needs and how they use mapping tools. If you’d like to provide your thoughts, visit Help us Build the Ultimate Backcountry Mapping App.

And I’m happy to report that my rule of studying maps for places I dream of going, or just want to learn more about, is back in action thanks to OUTMAP. 

By Dan Patitucci