Resorts in this article: Stevens Pass Resort
Get In The Embedded Chips At Stevens Pass
Skiers with chips in cards avoid lines.
Stevens Pass is modernizing its access to the mountain in a big way this season by integrating a small circuit known as Radio Frequency ID (RFID) into lift tickets, Advantage Card, and season passes.
The embedded RFID tags allow an access gate to automatically swing open and admit an authorized skier or snowboarder.
RFID gates do not require you to show your lift access media (pass/card/ticket) each time you load a lift, so there's no need to go searching through layers of clothing to find the access media while standing in the lift line. The less time you wait in line, the more time you have for fun. RFID technology also will cut down on other lines, too.
For instance, once a lift ticket is purchased at any of the resort's ticket windows, subsequent lift-ticket purchases can be made online and the RFID-implanted ticket will be reloaded. A reloadable lift ticket should last about 20 visits with normal wear and tear, and that means no more standing in a lift-ticket line.
Advantage Cards - Stevens Pass' version of a frequent flyer program - can also be renewed online. Season passholders who have chip-imbedded technology will never have to wait to pick up a pass again: just renew online next season.
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I made it very clear in my discussions with their accounting manager and general manager that I would not pay for charges I didn't agree to and that were not properly disclosed, and they have no right to bill for such charges. The only thing that came from this is that the 2009-2010 pass-holder terms have a new clause:
"Direct Billing (Auto Charge): Stevens Pass will charge the applicable daily lift ticket rate based on session times (9am, 12pm, 3pm) with no time leniency. You will be charged the current session rate at the time you access the gate. Ex. If you access the gate at 11:59am you will be charged for the 9am-Close session."
This was not in the 2008-2009 terms I agreed to, but their shady management still refuses to admit they're wrong. Oh well.
Let's say you have a 3pm-close pass, and you show up at 2:30pm. Will they stop you because you're too early, let you in because it's almost 3pm, or ask if you want to buy a pass? Nope, they'll just assume you intended to buy a full day's pass! They never ask, or even notify you; you'll just get a bill later.
This is not stated in the terms & conditions, nor anywhere on their website, but it's true. And if you question these outrageous made-up charges? They'll send it to a collection agency.
Save yourself some headache and money; choose a different ski resort. Stevens Pass is managed by crooks.