Mt. Hood, OR – The traditional lift ticket – a staple on guests at Mt. Hood Meadows and many other ski resorts – will no longer be used at the Oregon resort beginning this winter.
Mt. Hood Meadows is installing radio frequency identification (RFID) gates at all of its lifts this summer, allowing guests to board lifts without showing their lift ticket. Guests will carry a unique RFID card or pass in their jacket or on an arm band. An embedded RFID chip triggers the gate to open for valid passes, eliminating the requirement for guests to present their pass or lift ticket for hand scanning.
Resort Executive Director of Communications, Dave Tragethon expects the new technology will have a significant improvement on the guest experience.
“Showing a ticket or season pass for scanning, every time a lift is boarded is the number one guest complaint at Mt. Hood Meadows,” says Tragethon. “The RFID access gates will allow instant and consistent verification, with the card or pass tucked securely in a guests’ pocket. Guests will no longer need to fumble for their ticket, holding up others for scanning. This will improve lift line flow and the overall experience. In essence, we are freeing our guests and our attendants from this challenging task, particularly during stormy weather. The system will also allow our tremendous Lift Operations staff to continue to focus on safety and hospitality for our guests.”
Meadows will install the access gates at every lift, including the upper lifts where in the past the resort did not regularly scan passes. Passholders and guests who “claim” their day passes will be able to track their vertical online – every lift ride, every day, for the entire season. Ultimately Meadows will be offering a vertical rewards program that will allow guests to accumulate points based on the amount of vertical they ride, and redeem the points for purchase or discounts at the resort.
The technology brings with it new products that encourage repeat trips to Meadows, with lower prices. A “Reload” card allows the user to “claim” their day on the mountain by registering the card later online. Then the owner can reload the card at reduced rates for future visits, and also keep accurate tracking of their vertical. New “Pay as You Go” passes backed by a credit card will allow guests to pay a reduced day rate automatically charged to their credit card each day they use their pass at the pre-agreed upon rate, essentially allowing the pass holder to create their own mini-season pass.
The Loyalty Passes issued this season can be renewed online, at the resort, or at the resort’s new Portland sales office (1202 NW 17th Avenue) and used at Meadows for as long as the RFID gate system is in place. Passholders will no longer need to have a new pass reissued each season, reducing the traditional PVC card stock cost as well as reducing the hassle and inconvenience of having to obtain new passes each year. Additionally, day passes issued at the resort can be recycled and recoded for re-use on future days, again reducing the need for replacement stock.