Skidata Partners with Holiday Valley to Deliver Seamless RFID Access Experience
Holiday Valley Resort in New York has joined forces with Skidata, a global leader in access management and digital guest solutions, to deploy a new RFID-based entry system aimed at creating a faster, frictionless experience for skiers and resort visitors.
The installation brings fully integrated RFID gates across lifts and access points, allowing skiers to move freely without presenting paper passes or barcodes. Using contactless RFID cards and wearable tags, the system automatically validates entry in milliseconds, even through clothing or pockets.
According to Holiday Valley, the transition to RFID will eliminate manual ticket checks and queues, speeding up throughput at lifts and enhancing operational control. Resort staff gain live access to entry data, enabling better crowd management and real-time monitoring of lift usage.
Skidata’s platform ties RFID access into its broader digital ecosystem, which includes mobile ticketing, cashless payments, and guest analytics. This integration will allow visitors to link lift passes with rentals, lessons, and accommodation, all under a single account. The system also supports dynamic pricing and remote ticket reloads, helping reduce paper waste and streamline revenue operations.
Holiday Valley’s president noted that the collaboration reflects a growing trend among ski resorts embracing RFID technology to improve guest experience and data-driven decision-making. By partnering with Skidata, Holiday Valley aims to align with leading resorts in Europe and North America that already use similar systems.
RFID-enabled access control has become a major differentiator in the ski industry. Skidata, whose systems are installed in more than 10,000 locations worldwide, says its technology is built to handle extreme weather conditions and large visitor volumes without compromising read accuracy or performance.
For guests, the practical benefits are clear: faster lift access, fewer lost tickets, and more time on the slopes. For operators, the data insights provided by RFID systems can guide staffing, maintenance schedules, and marketing efforts based on real-world usage patterns.
As winter sports facilities continue to modernise, RFID is proving to be a key enabler of smarter, more efficient resort operations, a digital transformation that’s as much about convenience as it is about operational intelligence.