Cookie Policy

Last updated: June 2024

This Cookie Policy explains how SlopeStash ("SlopeStash", "we", "us", or "our"), operating slopestash.com, uses cookies, localStorage, and similar tracking technologies when you visit our winter sports review website. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we use personal information more generally.

What Are Cookies and localStorage?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. They are widely used to make websites function properly, remember your preferences, and provide reporting information to site owners.

localStorage is a browser feature that allows websites to store small amounts of data directly on your device, similar to a cookie, but the data does not automatically get sent to our servers with every request. We use localStorage instead of a traditional cookie for one specific purpose: remembering your consent choice.

How SlopeStash Uses Cookies and localStorage

Consent Banner Preference (localStorage)

When you first visit slopestash.com, you will see a cookie consent banner asking whether you accept or decline non-essential cookies, including analytics. Once you make a choice, we store your decision (either "accepted" or "declined") in your browser's localStorage. This allows us to remember your preference so the banner does not reappear every time you visit the site.

• This storage entry contains only your consent status and, in some cases, a timestamp of when the choice was made.
• It does not contain any personally identifiable information.
• It is not transmitted to third parties and is used solely to control whether analytics cookies are loaded.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Some cookies are essential for the basic functioning of slopestash.com, such as maintaining session security, enabling core site features, and remembering basic display settings. These cookies do not require consent under applicable law because the site cannot function properly without them. They do not track you across other websites.

Analytics Cookies (Only Loaded If You Accept)

If, and only if, you click "Accept" on our consent banner, SlopeStash will load analytics cookies. These cookies help us understand how visitors use our site, such as which gear reviews, resort guides, or comparison articles are most popular, how long visitors stay on pages, and which pages lead to bounces or drop-offs. This information helps us improve our content and site structure.

If you click "Decline", no analytics cookies will be set, and no analytics tracking scripts will run on your browser. Your localStorage preference will simply record that you declined, and the site will continue to function normally without any tracking cookies being placed.

Third-Party Cookies

When analytics cookies are enabled (because you accepted them), we may use third-party analytics providers to collect aggregated, anonymized, or pseudonymized statistics about site usage. These third parties may set their own cookies in accordance with their own privacy and cookie policies. We do not control these third-party cookies directly, and we encourage you to review the relevant third-party provider's cookie policy for more details on what data they collect and how long it is retained.

We do not use third-party advertising cookies, retargeting pixels, or cross-site tracking cookies on slopestash.com.

How Long Do These Cookies and Storage Entries Last?

• The localStorage entry recording your consent choice persists until you clear your browser storage or manually delete it, as it does not have an automatic expiration date set by us.
• Strictly necessary cookies typically expire at the end of your browsing session or after a short period required for security purposes.
• Analytics cookies (if accepted) generally persist for a limited period, often between 24 hours and 24 months, depending on the specific third-party provider's configuration.

How to Withdraw or Change Your Consent

Because your consent choice is stored in your browser's localStorage rather than through a centralized account system, the simplest way to withdraw or change your consent is to clear your browser's site data or storage for slopestash.com. Once this data is cleared, our consent banner will appear again the next time you visit, allowing you to make a new choice.

General steps to clear localStorage and cookies (exact steps vary by browser):

• Open your browser settings or preferences menu.
• Navigate to the privacy, security, or site data section.
• Search for or locate slopestash.com in your list of stored site data.
• Choose to clear cookies, site data, or localStorage associated with slopestash.com.
• Refresh slopestash.com to see the consent banner again and select your preferred option.

Alternatively, most browsers allow you to clear all cookies and site data at once through a general "Clear browsing data" option, though this will also reset preferences for other websites you visit.

Browser-Level Cookie Controls

In addition to our on-site consent banner, most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings, including blocking all cookies, blocking third-party cookies specifically, or being notified whenever a cookie is set. Please note that blocking all cookies, including strictly necessary ones, may affect the functionality of slopestash.com and other websites you visit.

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Because there is no universally accepted standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals, slopestash.com currently does not respond differently based on DNT settings. Instead, we rely on the explicit accept/decline choice you make through our consent banner to determine whether analytics cookies are loaded.

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies and tracking technologies we use, or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how SlopeStash uses cookies and localStorage, please reach out through the contact information provided on our website.