Good question! I think the study focused on iPhones mainly because of a particular iPhone app that makes logging weather conditions easier. In their conclusion they reference, “a new iPhone application feature makes it easier for skiers to comment on resort ski conditions in real time.”

I’m not sure which app they are referring to, but it could be any one of these: http://skiing.about.com/od/technologyandinnovation/a/skiingiphoneapps.htm

But you’re right – I’m sure skiers and snowboarders use other smartphones to communicate weather conditions and even informal platforms like Twitter probably play a part in this.