More ski resorts going to RFID

[marzNC]

Bogus Basin in idaho started using them 2 or 3 years ago.

I had a good time checking out Bogus last season. Only spent a day at the end of an Idaho ski safari. Really enjoyed exploring.

Many ski areas were pushed to implement RFID sooner rather than later because of the pandemic. I'm sure that was the case for my home resort in Virginia.

 

[Gildabear]

Ll

 

[GladeDuchess]

The big three in Maine, Saddleback, Sunday River, and Sugarloaf, have RFID and gates. Most of the smaller hills still use the sticker tag on your jacket zip.

 

[marzNC]

Boyne Resorts worked with Axess to create the first dual frequency RFID system that could use gates. The first resorts to use it were Big Sky and Loon for 2019-20.

Axess partnered with Alta to develop the first RFID gates to allow for changes in height as the snow piled up during the season. Alta also wanted to be able to swing the gates completely out of the way so that a groomer could re-set the snow in the loading zone. Alta uses "front row" for the loading maze, which requires a large area leading up to the gate for even a quad chair.

August 2019

Boyne Resorts: First In The World To Offer Dual-Frequency Lift Access

Boyne Resorts today announced its launch of the world's first dual-frequency RFID lift access solution that supports the resort company's rapidly expanding use of long-range technology.

www.boyneresorts.com

Excerpt:

 

[GladeDuchess]

Boyne Resorts worked with Axess to create the first dual frequency RFID system that could use gates. The first resorts to use it were Big Sky and Loon for 2019-20.

Axess partnered with Alta to develop the first RFID gates to allow for changes in height as the snow piled up during the season. Alta also wanted to be able to swing the gates completely out of the way so that a groomer could re-set the snow in the loading zone. Alta uses "front row" for the loading maze, which requires a large area leading up to the gate for even a quad chair.

August 2019

Boyne Resorts: First In The World To Offer Dual-Frequency Lift Access

Boyne Resorts today announced its launch of the world's first dual-frequency RFID lift access solution that supports the resort company's rapidly expanding use of long-range technology.

www.boyneresorts.com

Excerpt:
View attachment 25176

Quite interesting! Thanks for sharing the link!
Went to Bogus Basin last season too, and found it to be a fab place. Wish I had more than one day to explore it.

 

[marzNC]

Quite interesting! Thanks for sharing the link!
Went to Bogus Basin last season too, and found it to be a fab place. Wish I had more than one day to explore it.

You're welcome. I've been saying for a few years that perhaps it's time for a thread with a title something like "Ski Areas/Resorts without RIFD yet."

I did an Idaho ski safari last season. Got lucky and got to ski some fresh snow at Bogus on the last day before my primary ski buddy and I drove south from Boise. Definitely on the list for a return trip some day.

TR Idaho ski safari March 7-14, 2025: Tamarack, Brundage, Bogus Basin

Had a very good time doing an Idaho ski safari with a small crew. From a skiing standpoint, my trip started at Sun Valley and ended at Brian Head in southern Utah. This trip report covers Tamarack, Brundage, and Bogus Basin, March 8-14. Fair to say I liked all of them for different reasons and...

www.theskidiva.com

What month did you ski at Bogus?

 

[GladeDuchess]

You're welcome. I've been saying for a few years that perhaps it's time for a thread with a title something like "Ski Areas/Resorts without RIFD yet."

I did an Idaho ski safari last season. Got lucky and got to ski some fresh snow at Bogus on the last day before my primary ski buddy and I drove south from Boise. Definitely on the list for a return trip some day.

TR Idaho ski safari March 7-14, 2025: Tamarack, Brundage, Bogus Basin

Had a very good time doing an Idaho ski safari with a small crew. From a skiing standpoint, my trip started at Sun Valley and ended at Brian Head in southern Utah. This trip report covers Tamarack, Brundage, and Bogus Basin, March 8-14. Fair to say I liked all of them for different reasons and...

www.theskidiva.com

What month did you ski at Bogus?

Was mid-January. I think they were in a dry spell as locals were noting the "poor" conditions. It was my one and only day out west, so I've not much to compare it to, but it was not bad by east coast standards! Not much for powder, but a good hard pack mostly, with no ice.
That crazy little drive up there was an added bonus as well. : )

 

[marzNC]

Apparently Sunlight in CO installed RFID for lift access for 2024-25. Seems to be Axess. Sunlight has three lifts, two from the base and one that goes from mid-mountain to the summit.

Lift tickets at Sunlight are under $100 except during peak holiday periods, which includes March 14-29, 2025. College spring breaks must be later.

 

[marzNC]

For 2025-26 Taos Ski Valley has installed RFID gates at Lift 1 and Lift 4. Also the beginner lifts Pioneer and Rueggli.

 

[TNtoTaos]

The only weird thing about the new RFID gates at Taos is that they don't beep when they open, so if you're waiting for "the sound" to move, you'll get whacked by the gate closing (ask me how I know!). You have to actually watch for it to open, EXCEPT for if you have an Ikon pass -- it does make the sound for them! I asked about this, it's the way they set it up, I was told --go figure!

 

[marzNC]

Apparently Mountain Capital Partners plans to have RFID lift access at all their resorts for 2026-27. Most of the MCP locations in the USA are in the southwest. Nordic Valley in Utah is an MCP ski area.

March 27, 2026

MCP Details $37.5M in Planned Capital Improvements

SAM Magazine—Durango, Colo., March 27, 2026—Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) plans to invest more than $37.5 million in capital improvements across its Powe

www.saminfo.com

" . . .
MCP will also implement RFID access systems for the 2026-27 season across its U.S. portfolio.

. . ."