America’s ultimate ski and snowboarding lift ticket, the 2012- 2013 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s Gold Pass, is now available. This one pass allows you to ski just about every ski resort in the United States with no blackout dates. The catch…. The only way to get the pass is to make a donation to the US Ski Team for $10,000 or more. This year the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Gold Pass turns 40 and to celebrate they have fully integrated all current direct-to-lift access technologies into this one pass. The pass is also fully transferable so don’t tell your friends you bought one or they will be bugging you for it every weekend your not out skiing.
HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS
- The innovative new technology will fully integrate barcode, RFID UHF and RFID HF into one pass allowing Gold Pass holders to go direct to lift at 65% of NSAA resorts.
- At resorts that have premium tracking programs in place, such as Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass, the Gold Pass will offer the same tracking capability.
- SKIDATA AG will produce the new non-metallic medallion incorporating all three technologies.
- The Gold Pass first started in the 1972-73 season as a fundraiser for the U.S. Ski Team in a unique partnership with resorts. It has continued to grow in its 40-year history to become one of the largest single fundraising tools to support Olympic skiers and snowboarders, generating over $3 million annually for athletic programs.
- The pass is accepted for unlimited use at any NSAA resort nationwide and is fully transferable.
- A limited number of Gold Passes are minted each year and are provided to donors who contribute $10,000 or more. A portion of the donation is tax deductible as a contribution to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation.