This season, skiers and snowboarders at Mount Washington will gain access to the lifts a lot more smoothly with the installation of RFID technology. Guests of the resort will now have their season pass or lift ticket loaded onto the new MYMW Club Card, which contains an RFID chip. The new hands-free tech will be in full effect for winter 2018-19.
“RFID is Radio Frequency Identification; it is a chip-enabled technology embedded into all our lift passes,” said Michael Hleck, IT Manager at Mt. Washington. “What that means to our guests is they no longer have to search around to get their ticket or pass out; our gates instantly read the chip and the lifts automatically open - getting everyone on the snow faster.”
Although the technology behind the system is sophisticated, usage for you as a guest is simple. Once you have picked up your reloadable MYMW Card, there’s only one thing to remember: keep it in a pocket by itself, somewhere on the left side of your body. As you slide through the new RFID gates, a sensor on the left will detect your card and grant you access to the lift.
The new system doesn’t just reduce lift lineups; it also allows guests to reload their lift tickets and season passes online. “You’ll never have to stand in a ticket lineup again once you grab your reloadable card.” said Dean Prentice, general manager.
“The multi-year durability of the new RFID enabled cards will also drastically reduce environmental impact versus the old season passes and lift tickets.”
The resort is installing the new technology this fall and is anticipating a smooth implementation for the Dec. 7 opening day.
For more information on the RFID technology or Early Bird season passes visit www.mountwashington.ca.
— Mount Washington report