Magic is Going RFID?

[saratogahalfday]

"All passes include the cost of an RFID Card. It is $5 to replace if lost. Keep the RFID card for future years. You do not have to show the RFID card to access lifts, but it must be in your pocket to be scanned."

What's next? Two base lifts to the summit?

 

[Harvey]

I love the old school as much as anybody but RFID makes a lot of sense.

Still, glad we don't have it at Plattekill.

 

[Peter Minde]

I think RFID makes sense if a ski center wants to track how often season pass holders ski. For better or worse, the RFID gate malfunctioned at the Ho a couple times this winter.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

How much does an RFID system cost for a place like Magic with ostensibly three chairs that need gates? I haven't been paying attention -- does the black chair work?

 

[saratogahalfday]

How much does an RFID system cost for a place like Magic with ostensibly three chairs that need gates? I haven't been paying attention -- does the black chair work?

Black is still on the shelf, I assume this project is being completed with the hope that black spins next season. Magic also reduced some of their pass offerings, which was disappointing.

 

[Harvey]

What did they eliminate?

 

[Ripitz]

I’m guessing this RFID thingy is driven by their partnership with Indy Pass. Not sure if they would need gates. Couldn’t they use hand scanners when there is a need to check? Would the pass in that case have to be visible?

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Not sure if they would need gates. Couldn’t they use hand scanners when there is a need to check?

I've never run across an RFID system that didn't have the turnstile gates.

 

[saratogahalfday]

What did they eliminate?

The Sunday pass, for one.

 

[Johnny V.]

I've never run across an RFID system that didn't have the turnstile gates.

Two instances on our western trip:

Snowbasin still has hand scanners where the pass needs to be visible (Ikon pass) like Stratton last year.

Keystone (where we got RFID tickets) has no gates, but the lifties have scanners that can read the RFID tickets through clothing. All other places had variations on the standard RFID gates.