Privacy policy

This policy describes what snowgearsetup.com collects, why, and how to stop it. The short version is that there are no accounts here, no payment processing, and nothing to log into, so the amount of personal data involved is small.

What we collect

Analytics

This site uses Google Analytics 4 to understand which pages are read, which links are clicked and where visitors come from, in aggregate. Google Analytics sets cookies and collects information including your approximate location derived from IP address, browser and device type, referring site, pages viewed and time on page. We use it to decide what to write next and to see whether the buy paths on a page work. We do not use it to identify individuals and we do not attempt to.

Google's own description of how it uses data from sites that use its services is at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites. You can opt out of Google Analytics entirely with the browser add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout, or by using any browser setting or extension that blocks analytics scripts.

Affiliate cookies

When you click a product link on this site, the retailer sets a cookie in your browser so that a resulting purchase can be attributed to us. That is how the site is funded. Those cookies are set and read by the retailer and their affiliate network, not by us, and they typically expire after a limited window from the click.

We never see your order, your name, your address or your payment details. What we receive is an aggregate report of commissions, which tells us that a purchase happened and in what category, not who made it. The programmes involved are Backcountry through the Impact network, and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. See the affiliate disclosure for the commercial side of this.

The email form

Several pages carry an optional form offering to email you a build list. If you use it, we collect the email address you type and a text label identifying which page you submitted it from, so we can see which guides are actually useful. The form posts to Google Forms, which stores the submissions in a spreadsheet we control.

We use that address to send the material offered and occasional related updates. We do not sell, rent or share email addresses with anybody. Every message includes an unsubscribe link, and you can also ask us to delete your address through the contact page, which we will do without asking why.

Server logs

This site is served as static files by a hosting provider that keeps standard access logs, including IP address, user agent and requested URL, for security and abuse prevention. We do not mine those logs and they are not combined with anything else.

What we do not collect

No accounts, no passwords, no payment information, no health information, and no data from anybody we know to be under 13. There is nothing to log into on this site and nothing to buy directly from it. Purchases happen entirely on the retailer's own site under their privacy policy.

Cookies, and how to turn them off

The cookies in play here are analytics cookies set by Google and affiliate attribution cookies set by retailers and their networks when you click a product link. There are no advertising cookies from us and no cross-site behavioural profiles built by us.

Every browser lets you block or delete cookies, and most now block third-party cookies by default. Blocking them will not break anything on this site: pages, charts and calculators all work with cookies disabled, because the calculators run entirely in your browser and send nothing anywhere. The only practical effect is that a purchase you make will not be attributed to us, which costs us money and costs you nothing.

Your rights

Depending on where you live you may have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you, to correct it, to have it deleted, or to object to its processing. In practice the only personal data we hold directly is an email address if you submitted one. Write to us through the contact page and we will act on the request.

For data held by Google Analytics, use the opt-out linked above or your Google account controls. For affiliate cookies, clear cookies in your browser or block third-party cookies.

Children

This site is written for adults buying equipment and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anybody under 13. If you believe a child has submitted an email address here, tell us and we will delete it.

Third-party links

This site links to retailers, manufacturers and standards bodies. Once you follow a link you are on somebody else's site under their privacy policy, and we have no control over what they collect or how they use it. That includes every product link on the site.

Changes to this policy

If this policy changes materially, the updated date at the top of the page will change and the revised version will be posted here. Continued use of the site after a change means you accept the revised policy.

Contact

Privacy questions, data requests and deletions go to [email protected] or through the contact page. See also the terms of service, the affiliate disclosure and the safety disclaimer.