Industry News
Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada, has announced that hands-free Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets technology will go live at the resort for the 2024/25 ski and ride season within the My Epic app. This innovation will allow guests to skip the ticket window and buy their Pass (or lift ticket) online, then activate and store it in the My Epic app. When they arrive, they can get scanned, hands-free, straight from their pocket via low energy Bluetooth technology designed for low energy use. With this enhancement, the My Epic app will provide Whistler Blackcomb guests a ‘one-stop app,’ offering lift access, real-time resort updates, personalized stats, account information, and more.
“I am thrilled to bring this innovative technology to our guests next season. We take tremendous pride in continuing to innovate and unlock ways for our guests to get the most out of their time here at Whistler Blackcomb. With Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets, your phone becomes your gateway to the mountains, making it easier and faster to get up the slopes by skipping the ticket window completely. It also supports Whistler Blackcomb’s Commitment to Zero sustainability actions over time, reducing the waste created by plastic cards with RFID chips.”
– Belinda Trembath, VP & COO of Whistler Blackcomb
This new technology was rolled out at Vail Resorts’ U.S. resorts during the 2023/24 ski and ride season and has seen successful adoption and positive guest feedback.
To ensure a smooth transition, Whistler Blackcomb will continue to provide and activate physical cards for passes and lift tickets during the 2024/25 season, as requested. And in the future, they will be available to any guests who cannot, or do not want to use their phone.
To enable Mobile Pass & Mobile Lift Tickets, Whistler Blackcomb will be re-introducing hand scanning at its lifts and removing the gate system. While the gates were a compelling innovation when introduced many years ago, technology has changed dramatically since then. Whistler Blackcomb believes the most meaningful technological innovation for the future is Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets, which eliminates the need to stand in line at ticket windows and provides a more environmentally friendly experience. The resort is looking forward to having team members greet and welcome guests as well as improving lift loading efficiency.
The My Epic app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play App Store. More information and guest education about using Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Ticket will be shared leading into the 2024/25 winter season.
