Google's Street View snowmobile takes your voyeurism to the Olympic slopes

There's something deliciously futuristic about the fact that Microsoft and Google are patrolling our roads, documenting their every nook and cranny with large multidirectional cameras strapped to SUVs. But what about the unpaved wilderness? Well, Google's after that too now, with its new Street View snowmobile it's unveiled just in time for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Sure, it's a bit of a gimmick, but also it's surprisingly thrilling to chase down the various slopes in use for the Olympics, and Google Earth even has most everything mapped out in 3D for your aerial viewing pleasure. Check out a video of the snowmobile in action after the break, or hit up that source link to "hit the slopes." If something gets in your way, turn.

[kris120890 Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:32PM]

What about googles other announcements. You seem to not be there.

[Edmunn Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:33PM]

@kris120890 Good, now finish England.

[willman256 Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:40PM]

@kris120890
ill watch it live thanks.

[grahamj Posted Feb 9th 2010 3:41PM]

What happened here I wonder...

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&hq=http:%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2Fintl%2Fen%2Fhelp%2Fmaps%2Fgames10%2Fsv-alpine-skiing-map.kml&q=Whistler+Creekside&ei=va1jS8jMHZGcjAPiz-G-Cg&sll=50.094972,-122.990841&sspn=0.014317,0.032015&ie=UTF8&view=map&geocode=FXxj_AIdB0-r-A&split=0&ved=0CBMQpQY&t=h&layer=c&cbll=50.106885,-122.938626&panoid=P_50c7Twq-1DOGZGd3tzHw&cbp=12,60.24,,0,20.19&ll=50.107203,-122.938943&spn=0,359.97571&z=16

[Mack211 Posted Feb 9th 2010 4:20PM]

@grahamj

Apparently they forgot to take off the cover :P
Too busy using this as an excuse to take a free Google paid ski trip.

[lisagoviez Posted Feb 10th 2010 2:51AM]

@(Unverified) haha, its good to see the streetview reaching the summit of mountains.. Well, anyway their rival bing maps is reaching it too. Details: http://bit.ly/bing-maps-beta-review

[Smart People Play Tuba Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:34PM]

Can't really call it STREET view anymore . . .

[Eugene Action Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:38PM]

@Smart People Play Tuba

SleetView?

[DaveBach Posted Feb 9th 2010 2:26PM]

@Smart People Play Tuba

They could call it BAG VIEW for a few of those shots they took at Whistler where they forgot to remove the plastic bag that was covering the contraption.

[Plazmic Flame Posted Feb 9th 2010 11:50PM]

@Smart People Play Tuba

You're right. How about Google SkyNet View? Has a nice ring to it don't ya think?

[zyxmaw Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:37PM]

This would be GREAT for Svalbard!

[TikiTeko Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:39PM]

News Headline: Google Maps surveyor finds Atlantis while scanning the sea floor for Underwater View.

[DTJ Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:48PM]

@TikiTeko

Already did.

http://news.cnet.com/omg-did-google-earth-find-atlantis/

[ango Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:39PM]

google mars view that one i'd like

[willowtwf Posted Feb 9th 2010 2:26PM]

@ango

http://www.google.com/mars/
it's a start

they also have
http://www.google.com/moon/

[mojo817 Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:46PM]

They could use that up in the Northeast US right about now :)

[mattdeclaire Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:49PM]

Google Mountain View

[gandecab Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:56PM]

Cool! now if they did that for every ski resort - think of the interactive skiing apps!

[Cence Posted Feb 9th 2010 1:59PM]

Google Spaceview next, please?

[NIMBUS Posted Feb 9th 2010 2:32PM]

@Cence
there has been a 'space' addition to google earth for years

[Cence Posted Feb 9th 2010 2:35PM]

@NIMBUS

Well, that was fast!

[triplea Posted Feb 9th 2010 2:03PM]

For some reason that picture made me lol. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely cool though.

[Stereotype Posted Feb 9th 2010 2:14PM]

Where can I sign up to do this stuff? I wouldn't mind driving a snowmobile around all day.... :)

[TtotheC Posted Feb 9th 2010 2:19PM]

Do you realize the street value of this mountain? +1 for the "Better Off Dead" reference, Paul.

[jimgadgetman Posted Feb 9th 2010 2:25PM]

Forget the technology - how do I get this job?! Ride a snowmobile all day long and get PAID for it?!!! Hell yes!

[DrTrent Posted Feb 9th 2010 3:22PM]

@jimgadgetman

correction: ride a snowmobile at 15 mph all day long checking the equipment every hour or so

[snowrid3r Posted Feb 9th 2010 4:41PM]

next up:googles streetview fourwheeler

[ablemac Posted Feb 9th 2010 5:37PM]

Look out Lewis and Clark, Google's going to replace your old skool river maps next! (just guessing)

[joefresco Posted Feb 9th 2010 6:24PM]

You know, we're reaching a point where video games ought to start taking advantage of all this mapping we're doing. We have terrain maps, satellite/aerial imagery, and street-level imagery. We should be able to create a racing game, flight sim, or snowboarding game that uses this real-world imagery. With a sufficient level of precision, it might actually start to feel like "being there"

[Don S Posted Feb 9th 2010 6:32PM]

Very Cool.

[nickspahr Posted Feb 9th 2010 7:31PM]

Genius. This will be used over and over and over during televised Olympic coverage this winter and Google will make royalties on all of it. You have to admire their foresight.

[xc7x Posted Feb 9th 2010 8:05PM]

what about an air-flight view? get on it Google

[Zhuzhu Posted Feb 9th 2010 8:07PM]

Waiting for Google Nude Beach View.

[SomEngangVar Posted Feb 9th 2010 9:33PM]

Why does the oval in Richmond show up when I click on ice hockey...?

[6knowspring Posted Feb 9th 2010 10:15PM]

I wonder how long this took to get approved. Pretty cool though!

[barCODE Posted Feb 10th 2010 12:39AM]

That's a cool job, I'd love to have.