ALYESKA IMPLEMENTS RFID FOR SEASON PASSES

For Immediate Release
March 19, 2008
Media Contact:  Jason Lott – (907) 754-2211 – jlott@alyeskaresort.com

GIRDWOOD, AK – March 19, 2008 Alyeska Resort announced today that it is now utilizing an integrated electronic ski pass based on RFID technology allowing skiers and riders to keep their season pass in their pockets.

Remote-operated turnstiles located at the Tram detect a valid ski pass and open automatically.  The core feature in this system is a 13.56 MHr RFID transponder (tiny microchip with antenna).  Each transponder has a unique identification electronic code, which is embedded into the season pass. 

“The technology will help to shorten lift lines, reduce the number of lost season passes and create a better skiing and riding experience at Alyeska”, stated Mountain Service Manager Di Hiibner.  “The new RFID pass will allow guests to keep their pass for future seasons and not have to wait in line next season for a new pass.”  “This will allow the lift attendants to verify the photo to the person who has been issued the pass.”

This is not all; guests at Alyeska can easily load money onto their Alyeska Resort RFID Season pass using cash or credit at POS (Point of Sale) terminals located at the Tram Ticket Office and Guest Services Desk at the Hotel Alyeska. “The RFID season passes provide our guests a convenient and hassle-free method of making purchases, its secure and easy to use”, states Hiibner.  “The process of loading money onto the season pass is simple and fast.  Guests can go to two locations, the Tram Ticket Office or Guest Services Desk to load money”.  Any data, particularly personal data, stored on the RFID chip can be encrypted, preventing unauthorized users from reading the data which can only be read by RFID readers programmed specifically for a venue’s application.
 
Guests’ credit card account information or personal data is not stored on the pass.  That information is kept on our server for added security.  Guests no longer have to carry cash, a wallet, or a purse while at Alyeska.  The season passes look and act similar to your typical form of pass media.  Customers must place their pass so it is readily available for all lifts.  Cell phones, MP3 players, credit cards or radios may interfere with you ski pass working.  Please do not put holes in your pass or bend it as the damage could result in your season pass not working.  The system's ease-of-use, speed, and convenience are key advantages for guests, creating shorter lines and faster transactions at all POS locations. Guests' experience and satisfaction are enhanced using RFID cashless payment technologies allowing them to focus more time on having fun together with friends and family.