RFID tickets

[darent]

I have used them out west and at Jay. I like them even though sometimes the gate didn't open. all in all though they are efficient and manage the lift line better if the point of entry is far enough away from the lift. at alta they have several entry points and you can ski right thru them and hop on the lift if they aren't crowded. makes my day

 

[billski]

Used them at Jay last year. You really had to be conscious of what pocket you had it in so it angled correctly to the reader. Also, don't have your phone etc in that pocket as it messes up the read.4444.

I talked with this marketing dude at the show who skis with Scotty B. He said they did due diligence and spied on all the areas using them before deciding on their own plan. His opinion is that Jay's implementation was very flawed. The strike zone he said shoul go from your knees up to your shoulder. He asserts the detectors are very sensitive and reliable. We'll see.

 

[Black Phantom]

I talked with this marketing dude at the show who skis with Scotty B. He said they did due diligence and spied on all the areas using them before deciding on their own plan. His opinion is that Jay's implementation was very flawed. The strike zone he said shoul go from your knees up to your shoulder. He asserts the detectors are very sensitive and reliable. We'll see.

Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns.

 

[Skier4life]

I used them at Jay earlier this year and yup I like them...I had an early issue with my daughters card not reading well because she was too short so after a couple of tries i worked it out and just lifted her up each time we got to the gate [a little annoying but fairly seamless].

Only thing I don't like is that its just another scanner sending waves through or to your body...15 years from now we will hear that those blasted things are causing cancer...until then, shorter lift lines? YES PLEASE!!!

 

[Smellytele]

These cards do not make lift lines any shorter. If all the chairs are full with or without it the lines will be the same. Ticket lines will be shorter but not lift lines.

 

[jerryg]

I've used them at Squaw and my pass at Heavenly. As for gates, I've only experienced them with the RFID at Squaw and have never had an issue.
I like how my pass can be tucked away and scanned through clothes.
I suspect that Vail resorts loves them because they can track skier traffic and statistics which can help with determining skier trends that may or may not lead to lift placement and trail design.
EpicMix fully uploads data from the chips in the cards and is in real time. I personally like using it and it is rather addicting.
All of that being said, I don't see the human element being removed. Squaw has attendants near the scanners before the gates in case there is an issue and while Heavenly doesn't have gates on their entry lifts, they still scan the tickets, they just don't have to be precise as to where they point the scanner.

 

[Skier4life]

These cards do not make lift lines any shorter. If all the chairs are full with or without it the lines will be the same. Ticket lines will be shorter but not lift lines.

Sorry, I actually did mean ticket lines...nothing I hate more than waiting in line for tickets, be they lift tickets, theater tickets or subway tickets etc...Just an impatient person I guess.

 

[57stevey]

I have a golf and ski card, which I cant find; I thought the card was good forever, the deals just keep changing.

Wow... thanks for that info! I had tossed mine thinking it was an annual card, but on their website I was able to request a replacement. Whew.

 

[playoutside]

Used them several years ago at Keystone and Breckenridge without an issue. I kept it in the knee pocket of my ski pants and never had an issue.


I used it last year at Jay and started at my knee pocket again, not good unless I lifted a ski and knee each time. Then moved it to a jacket pocket at my hip and it worked fine. Jay's system seemed finicky and a lot of people just didn't seem to get it.

• Put the card in a pocket with no other crap in it.
• Make sure its at a height that aligns with the scanners
• Pay attention to when its time to move forward...quit screwing around and BSing when you are near the front of the line
• Stand still near the scanners

All that said, I hope Jay learned last year. Don't put the gates so close to the loading point.

Curious to see how Ragged does with it. The loading area is very tight near the 6-pack so it is a potential cluserf***

I don't like paying $5 for my cards, but so far have gotten all of them thru specials and haven't paid. I won't like keeping track of all the cards since I tend to ski many areas rather than sticking with just a couple. It's definitely nice to be able to preload the day and not deal with ticket windows.

 

[billski]

I don't like paying $5 for my cards, but so far have gotten all of them thru specials and haven't paid. I won't like keeping track of all the cards since I tend to ski many areas rather than sticking with just a couple. It's definitely nice to be able to preload the day and not deal with ticket windows.

Masspike charges now for their transponders. Originally they were given out for free. Battery life is about five years, then you have to pay for a new one. Well, it seems, that the clock, is just about, EXPIRED!

 

[Nick]

They were never free... Used to be like 20 or 30 bucks, now they are free up front but are like 1 a month

 

[playoutside]

They were never free... Used to be like 20 or 30 bucks, now they are free up front but are like 1 a month

Depends on which state issues it. Mine was from NJ, free ages ago when I got the first one. Then started charging a $1/month and didn't have to give them more $ when mine outgrew it's useful life. Friends in MA, don't pay monthly, but will pay when device needs replacing. NH gave them away in the early days, not sure what they do now. Obviously each state will do what they need to to to cover costs (and maybe make a profit)

 

[steamboat1]

No more wickets or zip-ties. No more ticket windows or lines. No more picking up your season pass at the beginning of every season. The Evolution Stowe Card is both permanent and flexible. It's a single card that has limitless possibilities. And it really is the last lift ticket you'll ever need at Stowe. And once you experience Stowe, it might be the last lift ticket you'll want from any mountain.

The latest in ski and snowboard technology doesn't go on your feet. It goes in your pocket.

Stowe Mountain Resort guests will be charged a one-time $5.00 Evolution Stowe Card Fee when they purchase any ticket product. The Evolution Stowe Card uses RFID technology to grant hands-free access to lifts and replaces the traditional lift ticket. Guests may keep their Evolution Stowe Card to reload for future visits to Stowe Mountain Resort, or they can return it to any ticket window at the end of their stay for a $5.00 refund. $5.00 refunds will be provided via the original purchase method of payment.

 

[BenedictGomez]

I miss wickets.

I'll also miss my $5 times XYZ resorts I ski at once everyone moves to this ancillary income system.

 

[hiroto]

Wow, this is a surprise. Blue Hills is going RFID this season.

http://ski-bluehills.com/home/item/32-rfid

 

[Abubob]

I miss wickets.

ditto.

I picked up my Ragged RFID pass this past Saturday. We'll see.

 

[billski]

I miss wickets.

Head over to Storrs Hill or Northeast Slopes. Same old paper ones, hand-written date or stamped with one of those generic 1960s style hand stampers. I got mine hanging in my office. Classic!

 

[ERJ-145CA]

Head over to Storrs Hill or Northeast Slopes. Same old paper ones, hand-written date or stamped with one of those generic 1960s style hand stampers. I got mine hanging in my office. Classic!

Mt. Peter in Warwick, NY has wickets still. Until about 2 or 3 years ago they hand wrote the date now they have a fancy computer printed date on them.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Plattekill still has wickets too.

When you take away wickets, you're cheating beginner skiers out of the joy of botching up their sticker fold.

When you take away wickets, you're cheating beginner skiers out of the joy of affixing their lift ticket to their center coat zipper, thus having it smack them in the face all day long.

 

[Smellytele]

I noticed on some (Ragged at least) you can use these as your season pass. If this is so what stops you from lending or even renting it to someone else for the day if there is no picture on it or even if there was it is in your pocket...

Evil doers always finds a way