The world’s first 8K self-flying camera just released a new firmware update for winter 2025/2026 and it’s right up our alley. HOVERAir’s new “Ski Mode” features significant improvements in flight performance, stability, and tracking capabilities out on snow.
What’s New
-Enhanced Ski Mode with Smart Ascend for improved elevation management (the camera rises automatically when detecting pedestrians and obstacles to avoid collision risks) and smoother downhill tracking.
-Dolly Track Flight Mode, enters in specifically for ski mode.
-Pilot Assist, a new in-flight adjustment feature that gives pilots more control, precision, and stability in challenging conditions.
These pocket friendly DJI competitors weigh in at a dainty 192 grams and are an excellent option for folks looking to get amazing footage in the mountain without bulky camera equipment. Check out the demo and find more information below.
What is Ski Mode?
Ski Mode is a purpose-built flight mode for skiing, snowboarding, and other high-speed snow sports. It allows the X1 PRO & PROMAX to automatically track your movement while maintaining smooth, cinematic footage, even on steep or snowy slopes. Compared to regular Follow Mode, Ski Mode provides:
- Enhanced Target Recognition: Tracks dynamic skier movements, including crouching, leaning, or unusual skiing positions.
- Terrain Optimizations: Maintains smooth performance over steep, snow-covered slopes and challenging terrain.
- User Experience Adjustments: The drone returns to you automatically after three seconds of stillness, simplifying retrieval.
- Image Optimizations: Camera parameters adjust automatically for bright, snow-covered landscapes, producing vibrant footage straight out of the drone.
Ski Mode lets you focus on skiing while the drone handles following, framing, and exposure adjustments automatically, ensuring professional-looking footage with minimal effort.
