Unlocking the gate

Mammoth Mountain opens tomorrow for 2011/12 season

On Nov. 10 the winter playground at Mammoth Mountain will once again open its doors for a season of skiing and riding. The mountain was all abuzz on Nov. 9 working out the final kinks and making last minute preparations for the annual kickoff celebration.

A gift of the good ol’ white stuff from Mother Nature last weekend gave MMSA a nice little base and cold temperatures have allowed snowmaking all week long so the runs are looking pretty darn fun.

One new thing this year is the RFID Lift Pass and gate system, which according to MMSA allows skiers and snowboarders at Mammoth direct-to-lift access. “The new system will help eliminate two of the largest issues for any ski resort: cumbersome lines at lifts and ticket windows. By using MY Mammoth passes can be re-loaded with lift tickets online or via your smartphone so you never have to wait in a ticket line again. And with MY Mammoth registration, guests can save up to 15% on lift tickets with 7-day advance purchase. With 68 total RFID gates installed across 19 different lifts, Mammoth’s will be the largest RFID system at a ski resort in North America.”

The RFID gate at Broadway Express. (Photo: Kirkner)

I picked up my pass today and was given the rundown on the new gadget. Here are a few do’s and don’t’s:

1. Don’t punch any holes in your pass. It could ruin it and a replacement is $25.
2. Do place your pass in one of your pockets, preferably one where the gates will be able to read it. The gates read from the sides of your body, so a sleeve or side leg pocket would be ideal. You might have to play around with your pass’s location to find just the right spot.
3. When you put your pass in your pocket put it in there by itself. It might be lonely, but loading up the pocket with credit cards, cell phones, etc. could interrupt the signal and the gates may not be able to read your card and allow you to pass.

Hats off to a great 2011/12 season!