From the first paper passes stapled to coats to modern RFID cards, the ski pass has always been the key to accessing the ski lifts and enjoying the mountains. Its evolution has gone hand in hand with the technological development of ski resorts, with the constant aim of improving comfort, efficiency and safety for skiers.
Today, this transformation takes a new step forward with the arrival of the mobile ski pass, a solution that turns your smartphone into a digital key, control centre and inseparable companion for the modern skier. It is no longer just a matter of replacing the physical card, but of offering a more fluid, contactless experience that is fully integrated with each resort’s digital environment.
In this context, Zermatt has positioned itself as a pioneer in Switzerland, becoming the first resort in the country to offer 100% digital access to its slopes. Thanks to the collaboration between Zermatt Bergbahnen, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, Gornergrat Bahn and Zermatt Tourism, a system has been implemented that allows visitors to carry their ski pass directly on their mobile phone, marking a before and after in the visitor experience. Since November 2024, the new Skidata access points have been operational: modern readers without physical barriers that allow ski passes to be validated via Bluetooth, without the need to take your phone out of your pocket.
“The SmartphoneTicket can be activated directly from the Matterhorn app and, thanks to Bluetooth Low Energy technology, automatically communicates with the turnstile at the entrance” explains Patricia Huber, Marketing Director at Zermatt Bergbahnen.
The new system promises a smoother experience, without queues and without physical contact, which also represents a step forward in terms of sustainability. Other resorts such as Sierra Nevada have followed a similar path with their Mobile Skipass, but the implementation in Zermatt stands out for its completely digital approach from purchase to access.
A 100% digital ski pass, even in aeroplane mode
One of the great advantages of the mobile ski pass is its autonomy. The system is designed to work without an internet connection; all you need is Bluetooth and GPS enabled. According to Sara Gertsch, head of sales at Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, “the system has been tested for months with very stable, secure and convenient results”.
And that’s not all: the Matterhorn app isn’t just about access. Like many other ski resort apps, it also offers real-time information on slope conditions, weather, webcams and the ability to track your daily skiing activity. You can even create groups of friends and share photos from Matterhorn Ski Paradise.
This system works even in aeroplane mode, as it only requires the use of Bluetooth Low Energy and GPS, without the need for a mobile data connection.
The complete integration of this technology makes Zermatt a role model within the industry, not only in Switzerland but throughout the entire Alpine ecosystem. Resorts such as Ischgl in Austria, Val Thorens in France, and even neighbouring Cervinia in Italy with its modern funicular railway are implementing similar systems with the aim of unifying the user experience across all connected ski areas.
What if I run out of battery? The flip side of mobile phone plans
Although the digital ski pass represents an undeniable technological leap forward, it also brings with it a new type of dependency: that of the smartphone’s battery life. Although the system implemented in Zermatt has been optimised to consume only 10% more battery power per day and can even operate in aeroplane mode, there is still a risk of running out of battery power on your mobile phone (which always seems to happen at the most inopportune moment), especially on long days or in extremely cold conditions, which reduce the autonomy of the devices.
That’s why resorts such as Zermatt recommend starting the day with your mobile phone fully charged, activating low power mode and, for the more cautious, using an external battery. The convenience of having your ski pass on your mobile phone is real, but like any digital innovation, it also requires a little adaptation on the part of the user. The key is to balance convenience and preparation to get the most out of connected skiing.
Technology, comfort and sustainability: the future of skiing
The mobile pass is not only a convenient solution, it is also a significant step towards a more sustainable and digitised model. By eliminating the use of physical cards, plastic consumption is reduced and resources are optimised in access management.
Furthermore, the evolution towards contactless skiing represents a direct response to the new demands of winter tourism: efficiency, sustainability, hygiene, personalisation and safety. In this sense, the digitisation of access is complemented by other innovations such as real-time access tracking, digital booking of activities and intelligent traffic management on the slopes.
For decades, the classic ski pass has been synonymous with a physical plastic card that hangs from the third layer or is stored in an inside pocket. Although functional, these cards have technical limitations and a considerable environmental impact that many resorts are beginning to leave behind.
These cards are mainly made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a durable but unsustainable plastic. Inside, they contain an RFID or NFC chip, which allows contactless access to the ski lifts, along with a small copper or aluminium antenna that interacts with the readers installed in the turnstiles.
Despite their technology, these cards have a short life cycle: many are used for one or a few days and then discarded, generating tonnes of plastic waste at the end of each season. Furthermore, as physical objects, they are susceptible to loss, breakage or malfunction in adverse weather conditions.
The move towards mobile ski passes responds precisely to this need to modernise and make the skiing experience more sustainable. By completely eliminating physical media, not only is waste reduced, but so are logistics costs, paper use and unnecessary queues at ticket offices. This is another step towards a more responsible and efficient mountain model.
Real-time data for smarter ski area management
The implementation of mobile ski passes not only improves the visitor experience; it also profoundly transforms the way resorts such as Zermatt manage their infrastructure and resources. Thanks to the technology integrated into the digital access system, real-time data is generated that allows virtually every aspect of daily operations to be optimised.
One of the most notable benefits is the monitoring of skier flow. The resort can accurately determine how many users access each lift, at what times and how often. This information facilitates key decision-making, such as the staggered opening of facilities, the reinforcement of staff at peak times, or the redistribution of traffic on the slopes to avoid crowding and improve safety.
“The mobile ski pass is an analysis tool that turns every day of skiing into a valuable source of data to help the ski resort operate more efficiently.”
Furthermore, analysing usage patterns makes it possible to anticipate demand and forecast maintenance needs or adjust track conditions based on traffic volume. This operational intelligence can also be extended to catering, rental services or transport, creating a more efficient and personalised offering for visitors.
Data collection is not only useful for internal management, but also for improving communication with end users. Stations can offer real-time contextual information through the app, such as recommendations for less congested routes or notifications about weather and snow conditions.
In short, the mobile ski pass is much more than just digital access: it is an analysis tool that turns every day of skiing into a valuable source of data to make the resort run better, be more sustainable and respond accurately to the expectations of the new digital skier.
In this way, Zermatt’s commitment to 100% digital access represents a firm step towards the future of skiing. Thanks to cutting-edge technologies and a user-centred experience, the mobile ski pass is no longer a trend but is becoming the new norm in mountain tourism.
