Radio Frequency Technology

WHAT DOES RF TECHNOLOGY MEAN?

Vail Resorts’ mission is Extraordinary Resorts, Exceptional Experiences®. RF technology is a way to continue to improve the experience we provide our guests. The new RF technology will provide an “easy scan” process for our guests which will detect guests’ passes automatically, thus eliminating guests having to dig their passes out of their jackets to get scanned.

WHAT IS IT?

RF technology is a technologically-advanced bar code system. A small computer chip called an RF ‘tag’ will be embedded in all of our 2008-2009 season passes.  This tag will be detectable by a radio signal transmitted by our new handheld scanners.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

All 2009-2010 season passes and PEAKS Rewards Cards will be scanned using new upgraded scanners. The guest experience will be just like it is today except that the new RF-enabled passes can be read through jackets and clothing for your convenience. Lift scanners will still be available at our base area lifts for any customer service needs.

HOW DO I USE MY RF PASS?

Please remember the following when using your RF pass:

• Your RF pass should be worn in the front on your upper body. It’s easiest to hang your pass around your neck on a lanyard.
• Your RF pass must be located away from items like two way radios, cell phones and Mp3 players.
• Please carry only one pass per person.
• Guests should only keep Direct to Lift RF passes with them when desiring a Direct to Lift charge.  If you enter a lift using your RF-enabled Direct to Lift pass, you will be charged the full price of a one-day lift ticket.
• Our staff reserves the right to ask you to present your pass at any time.
• Don’t use anyone else’s pass.  Fraudulent pass use may lead to loss of pass, loss of skiing/riding privileges, and referral to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

NOTE:  Arapahoe Basin does not use RF Technology.  You will still need to present your pass to be scanned using the bar code method.

DOES THIS WORK FOR PAPER LIFT TICKETS?

Paper tickets are not RF enabled. Please wear your paper ticket in an appropriate and visible position so that our staff can scan the barcode.

WHO ELSE IS DOING THIS?

RF technology is commonly used at resorts in Europe and in several North American resorts.  Most of these resorts use gates or turnstiles. We’re employing a unique system that uses handheld scanners or passive scanners – it’s a novel application in the industry and will allow us to continue to greet each guest and provide exceptional guest service.

WHERE WILL MY PASS BE SCANNED?

RF readers will be used to authenticate lift passes and to determine customer presence at ski lift boarding zones. We will primarily do this via handheld scanners, which will be operated by our resort staff.  We may also install passive scanners on or near our lifts that will read your pass without use of a manual handheld scanner.  In the future, Vail Resorts may be able to offer new and unique customer programs utilizing the RF Technology embedded in your pass.  We will notify you in advance and present you with options before we implement new programs that read your pass.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL YOU COLLECT USING RF TECHNOLOGY?

As we have in the past, Vail Resorts will collect and maintain information related to your use of our mountain lifts.   We may also associate information about your lift usage with other customer data so that we can continue to improve the guest experience at our resorts.  If we offer additional RF-based programs in the future, we will notify you of any information that we collect in connection with those programs and tell you what we plan to do with the information.  To learn more about Vail Resorts’ commitment to customer privacy, please review our Online Privacy Policy.

DOES RF TECHNOLOGY EXPOSE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION TO MISUSE?

Vail Resorts does not store any of your personal information on your RF-enabled pass.  The only data stored on the RF tag will be a unique RF number (similar to a bar code).  There will be no personally identifying data on the RF tag.  When an RF card is read it will only pass that unique number between the card and the reader.