Remember the days of shuffling through a ski line, eventually twisting your torso toward a lift attendant as they aimed a hand-held scanner at wherever your ticket dangled off your jacket? Hard to believe that awkward dance ended 10 years ago at Aspen Snowmass, but it’s still the reality at many resorts around the world. Moving on from human scanners is just one way Aspen Snowmass has embraced technology as a way to make the ski day easier. COVID-19 sped-up the process of adoption, but like the lift-ticket scanners, much of the new tech will be here to stay.
Here are three ways technology is making transactions easier and more COVID-compliant at Aspen Snowmass this winter.
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Here are three ways technology is making transactions easier and more COVID-compliant at Aspen Snowmass this winter.
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The Aspen Snowmass App
The Old Way:
Well, as far as an app went, there was no “old way.” But pre-app life occasionally looked like this: Stuff your jacket pockets with your credit card, lift ticket, mountain trail map, cell phone and a few other necessities for a day on the slopes. Misplace your credit card, drop your lift ticket in the snow, spill coffee on the trail map. Repeat the process throughout the day.
The New Way:
Download the free Aspen Snowmass app. The newly designed app is a one-stop-shop to all things Aspen Snowmass.
You can purchase additional ski days, sign-up for lessons and rentals, order food at select on-mountain restaurants, sign waivers, and access in-app rewards and passholder benefits. It also has useful data like weather reports, parking lot information, base-area crowding information, trail maps, your skier day totals and stats, all available at your fingertips. Simply slip your phone into your pocket and you are set up for a successful day on the slopes. rich-text
Well, as far as an app went, there was no “old way.” But pre-app life occasionally looked like this: Stuff your jacket pockets with your credit card, lift ticket, mountain trail map, cell phone and a few other necessities for a day on the slopes. Misplace your credit card, drop your lift ticket in the snow, spill coffee on the trail map. Repeat the process throughout the day.
The New Way:
Download the free Aspen Snowmass app. The newly designed app is a one-stop-shop to all things Aspen Snowmass.
You can purchase additional ski days, sign-up for lessons and rentals, order food at select on-mountain restaurants, sign waivers, and access in-app rewards and passholder benefits. It also has useful data like weather reports, parking lot information, base-area crowding information, trail maps, your skier day totals and stats, all available at your fingertips. Simply slip your phone into your pocket and you are set up for a successful day on the slopes. rich-text
Lift Ticket Pickup
The Old Way:
Gather your family and troop into a ticket office. Stand in line until it is your turn to talk to a ticket agent. Make sure they gather each family member’s information including name, address, emergency contact, etc. in order to print your lift ticket. Doublecheck to make sure the ticket attendant has entered each family member’s information correctly, sign your waivers, remove your jacket — it’s getting a little warm in the ticket office — swipe your credit card, grab your tickets and finally head for the hill.
The New Way:
Place your lift-ticket order online from the comfort of your home and select in-resort pickup. Once in resort, visit one of the 18 contactless pickup boxes at the bases of all four mountains, scan your QR code confirmation from your lift-ticket purchase sent directly to your email, and receive lift tickets for everyone in your party in a matter of seconds. (Insider tip: the QR codes can also be found in your Aspen Snowmass App). Jump on the chairlift lift and get out onto the slopes ... no need to visit the ticket office. Contactless, seamless and quick just means more time on the mountains. rich-text
Gather your family and troop into a ticket office. Stand in line until it is your turn to talk to a ticket agent. Make sure they gather each family member’s information including name, address, emergency contact, etc. in order to print your lift ticket. Doublecheck to make sure the ticket attendant has entered each family member’s information correctly, sign your waivers, remove your jacket — it’s getting a little warm in the ticket office — swipe your credit card, grab your tickets and finally head for the hill.
The New Way:
Place your lift-ticket order online from the comfort of your home and select in-resort pickup. Once in resort, visit one of the 18 contactless pickup boxes at the bases of all four mountains, scan your QR code confirmation from your lift-ticket purchase sent directly to your email, and receive lift tickets for everyone in your party in a matter of seconds. (Insider tip: the QR codes can also be found in your Aspen Snowmass App). Jump on the chairlift lift and get out onto the slopes ... no need to visit the ticket office. Contactless, seamless and quick just means more time on the mountains. rich-text
Mobile Ordering
The Old Way:
While we all desperately miss the hustle and bustle of the on-mountain dining scene this winter, it definitely had its frustrating moments, starting with simply finding a table during a busy lunch rush. Then asking the party next to you for extra chairs so you can accommodate everyone in your group. Shuffle through the grill line and be sure that everyone has their food as you move through the cashier line together, forget your wallet in your jacket pocket, run back to the table to grab it… you get the picture…
The New Way:
Settle onto the chairlift as you glide up the mountain after crushing your last run. Pull out your phone, open the Aspen Snowmass mobile app and order from the comfort of the lift or gondola. Select your mountain and location, choose your food and pickup time, and process payment with a few quick clicks. Stash your phone in your pocket and rest assured your delicious meal will be waiting for you to collect at your specified time. Enjoy your high-quality, locally sourced food at an outdoor table, or find a private spot all your own somewhere on the mountain. Fuel up, and get back out there. rich-text
While we all desperately miss the hustle and bustle of the on-mountain dining scene this winter, it definitely had its frustrating moments, starting with simply finding a table during a busy lunch rush. Then asking the party next to you for extra chairs so you can accommodate everyone in your group. Shuffle through the grill line and be sure that everyone has their food as you move through the cashier line together, forget your wallet in your jacket pocket, run back to the table to grab it… you get the picture…
The New Way:
Settle onto the chairlift as you glide up the mountain after crushing your last run. Pull out your phone, open the Aspen Snowmass mobile app and order from the comfort of the lift or gondola. Select your mountain and location, choose your food and pickup time, and process payment with a few quick clicks. Stash your phone in your pocket and rest assured your delicious meal will be waiting for you to collect at your specified time. Enjoy your high-quality, locally sourced food at an outdoor table, or find a private spot all your own somewhere on the mountain. Fuel up, and get back out there. rich-text
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