For the first time, a digital ski pass is being used on a mobile phone

There are two lifts at “Monte Popolo” in Eben. Because it is so small, the ski area was selected for this field trial. Skidata, the Salzburg specialist for access and ticket systems, has developed the digital ski pass and has already tested it extensively.

“We tested this internally and it works very well. The current test is more about customer acceptance, ”Skidata spokeswoman Katharina Rothbucher told SALZBURG24.

Digital ski pass in the app

The new system should work very simply. You can buy your ski pass in the Ski-Amadé ticket app before you start enjoying the slopes. The ski pass is then stored in digital form on the mobile phone. To do this, as before, you have to provide personal data: first name, last name, address and date of birth. “As in any other online shop,” says Simon Guggi, spokesman for Snow Space Salzburg. You only have to upload a photo with a multi-day pass.

Salzburg innovation works with Bluetooth

Communication between the app and the turnstile is via Bluetooth. Different technologies can be used for this, but Bluetooth is the one that is most gentle on the battery, says Skidata spokeswoman Rothbucher. A separate antenna must be set up in the turnstiles. If this has not yet been installed, it can be retrofitted. What is special about this method is that the turnstiles can still read the conventional tickets. So there is no need for extra access for the mobile phone ticket.

Challenge: Mobile phone should stay in your pocket

It was important during the development that you don’t have to take your smartphone out of your pocket to scan the ski pass. Skidata managing director Franz Holzer sums up the challenges as follows: “Extreme temperatures, high air humidity, the associated intensive battery use, guests wear gloves and the display is difficult to operate in freezing temperatures.”

The intensive battery consumption could be a problem for many winter sports enthusiasts. If the cell phone fails, the ski pass is also lost. There are replacements at the cash desk. “You can then pick up a normal ski pass there,” emphasizes Guggi. No problem in a ski area like Eben: here the cash desk can be reached from any point without an elevator. In larger areas, however, this could lead to complications.

Test in Eben starts on Monday

Therefore an extensive test operation is necessary. It starts on “Monte Popolo” next Monday. However, for the time being only for Android users, owners of Apple devices will have to wait a little longer.

The pilot operation is planned until the end of the season, from Monday to Friday. One wants to attract as many testers as possible with a special price: the day ticket will cost 30 instead of 39 euros. The experience should then flow into the product before it is launched on the market.

(Source: SALZBURG24 / APA)

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