I am pretty certain of two things

(1) many still carry a phone despite not having cell reception because it is convenient and many use their phones to take pictures (2) many have an Apple watch/other smartwatch/dumbwatch on their wrist

I would still carry my phone into a place I already know to not have reception. I would want to check my messages when the phone does get signal and someone may have been trying to contact me. Also, it is reasonably secure on my person. Leaving it in a car or locker increases the chance it will get lost or stolen.

People still carry their phones on airplanes, even though we're not even allowed to turn on the cell antenna. Although now we have onboard wifi.

I assure you very few locals carry their phone at the ski resort.

They're easy to break in a fall, the cold kills the battery, and the feeling of freedom from not having one is magical.

>Although now we have onboard wifi.

Yeah, for a (steep) price. To me, it's generally useless.

But still I keep my phone with me for all the other reasons you state. When I touch down, I'll probably want to send messages to people that I've arrived safely, etc.

There's a thing called a wristwatch that solves your problem.

Why not just get a watch at that point?

Anecdotally I wear a watch and the ski mountain is one place where it's a lot more convenient to glance at the clocks the bottom of the lifts.

not whimsical and quirky enough

I hate the feeling of something on my wrist. I used to have a pocket watch, but once cell phones became pocket sized I switched.