MCP Integration Guide

Connect your AI assistant to iSkiUphill

What is MCP?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI assistants to securely connect to external data sources. With the iSkiUphill MCP server, you can ask your AI assistant questions about ski conditions, weather, trails, and lifts — and get real-time answers directly from our database.

🎯 Example queries you can ask:

  • "What are the current conditions at Vail?" → Base depth, new snow, % open, snow quality
  • "Find resorts in Colorado with uphill access" → Filtered list with policies
  • "What's the weather forecast for Whistler this week?" → 7-day outlook with temps and snowfall
  • "Which trails are open at Breckenridge right now?" → Real-time trail status by difficulty
  • "Show me resorts within 50 miles of Denver" → Location-based search with distances
  • "Are there any weather alerts for Mammoth Mountain?" → Active warnings and safety notices

Prerequisites

  • Active iSkiUphill account — Subscribe or sign in
  • Compatible AI assistant — Claude Desktop (recommended), ChatGPT, or any MCP-compatible client

Setup Instructions

Recommended

Claude Web (claude.ai)

Use MCP directly in your browser at claude.ai — no installation required.

Step 1: Open Connectors

Go to claude.ai and click on your profile → Settings → Connectors.

Step 2: Add iSkiUphill connector

Click "Add Connector" and enter the following URL:

https://mcp.iskiuphill.com/api/mcp

Step 3: Authorize access

You'll be redirected to iSkiUphill to authorize access. Sign in and click "Authorize" to grant access.

Step 4: Start using!

Try asking Claude:

"What are the current snow conditions at Vail?"

Claude Desktop

Connect from the Claude Desktop app on macOS or Windows.

Step 1: Open Extensions

Open Claude Desktop and navigate to Settings → Extensions.

Step 2: Add remote MCP server

Click "Add" and select "Add custom MCP server". Enter the following URL:

https://mcp.iskiuphill.com/api/mcp

Step 3: Authorize access

Claude will open a browser window asking you to authorize access to your iSkiUphill account. Sign in and click "Authorize" to grant access.

Step 4: Restart and use

Restart Claude Desktop to load the new server. You'll see an MCP indicator in the chat input. Try asking:

"What are the current snow conditions at Vail?"

ChatGPT

ChatGPT supports remote MCP servers via Connectors.

Step 1: Enable Developer Mode

Go to Settings → Apps & Connectors → Advanced settings and enable Developer mode.

Step 2: Create a Connector

Click "Create" under Connectors and add the following URL:

https://mcp.iskiuphill.com/api/mcp

Step 3: Authorize access

When prompted, authorize access to your iSkiUphill account.

For detailed instructions, refer to OpenAI's MCP documentation.

Available Tools

Search Resorts
Find resorts by name, location, or filter for uphill access policies.
Find Nearby Resorts
Discover ski resorts near any location by coordinates or city name.
Snow Conditions
Get base depth, new snow, percent open, and snow quality reports.
Weather Forecast
7-day forecast with temperature, snowfall, and wind conditions.
Trails and Lifts
Real-time status of trails by difficulty and lift operations.
Ticket Prices
Lift ticket pricing and season pass options with current rates.
Alerts & Notices
Active safety alerts, weather warnings, and operational notices.

💡 Example Queries & Expected Responses

See what kind of information you can get from your AI assistant:

💬 "What are the current snow conditions at Vail?"

Example response format:

  • Base depth: 48 inches
  • New snow (24hrs): 6 inches
  • Snow quality: Powder
  • Terrain open: 89% (195 of 220 trails)
  • Lifts operating: 31 of 33
  • Last updated: 2 hours ago

Note: Values shown are examples. Actual responses contain real-time data.

💬 "Find ski resorts in Colorado with uphill access"

Example response format:

  • List of matching resorts (e.g., Breckenridge, Vail, Copper Mountain)
  • Uphill policy for each (allowed/restricted/prohibited)
  • Access hours and fees where applicable
  • Current conditions at each resort
  • Links to detailed uphill policy information

Note: Actual responses contain live data from our database.

💬 "What's the 7-day forecast for Whistler Blackcomb?"

Example response format:

  • Daily high/low temperatures
  • Expected snowfall amounts
  • Wind speeds and conditions
  • Daily weather summaries
  • Best days to ski based on conditions

Note: Forecasts are updated regularly with the latest data.

💬 "Show me resorts within 50 miles of Denver with more than 6 inches of new snow"

Example response format:

  • Resorts matching criteria sorted by distance
  • Exact distance from Denver in miles
  • New snow amounts for each resort
  • Current base depth and terrain status
  • Drive time estimates

Note: Search results reflect current conditions and are updated continuously.

✨ Pro Tip: Your AI can combine multiple data points naturally. Try asking "Compare the forecasts for Park City and Deer Valley, and recommend which one to visit this weekend based on expected snowfall and current conditions."

Security and Privacy

  • OAuth 2.1 authentication with PKCE — your credentials are never shared with AI assistants
  • The MCP server only accesses public resort data — no personal information
  • Rate limits apply based on your subscription tier
  • You can revoke access anytime from your account settings

Troubleshooting

OAuth authorization failed

Make sure you have an active subscription. MCP access requires a paid subscription. Check your subscription status.

MCP server not appearing in Claude

For the local server option, ensure your config file is valid JSON and located in the correct directory. Restart Claude Desktop completely after making changes.

"Authentication failed" error

Verify your API key is correct and has not expired. Check your API keys settings.

"Rate limit exceeded" error

You have exceeded your hourly request limit. Consider upgrading your subscription for higher limits.