Skiers and snowboarders at NZSki's three skifields, Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt, will not have to fumble around for their lift passes any longer, as the company is installing a new advanced system for checking passes.
The new radio-frequency ID system places a microchip on all-day passes or season passes.
The cards can be read through clothing by scanners at the ski lifts and other service counters on the mountain.
The passes can stay safely in pockets without slowing lift queues.
Once a customer is signed up and is given their first card, that card can be reused throughout the season or in following years by topping it up with more days or other products, for example ski lessons.
A similar check system can be found in many North American and European ski areas, but NZSki chief executive James Coddington said this would be the first ski pass in the world with an integrated stored value card.
It will work by either storing money on the card in advance or linking it with a credit card to be charged in "real time".
Products like lift access and lessons could then be bought online or at the customer service counters and added to cards.
Retail products or food and beverage items could also be bought on the cards.
"Our customers can buy the products they need in advance, and go straight to the lift when they arrive on the mountain. It will allow for a seamless experience," Mr Coddington said.
NZSki had previously focused on reducing misuse of ski passes, and Mr Coddington expected the new cards would make misuse less likely.
"When the cards are scanned, the photo on the card will show up on the scanner, even if the card is still hidden in a pocket. That way our staff can easily see if the card is used by the right person," he said.
Mr Coddington said it had been a "costly" two-year project to install the new system, but he declined to reveal the price for the system.
