Vail Resorts have just announced the launch of EpicMix, a new online and mobile application which allows skiers and snowboarders to digitally capture their ski experience and will completely transform the holiday experience for skiers and snowboarders this year at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly.
An radio frequency-enabled chip embedded in Vail Resorts’ EPIC season passes will automatically track your lift rides, calculating vertical feet skied and days on the mountain and will recognize special achievements and accomplishments by granting you commemorative, collectible digital pins. EpicMix will have hundreds of available digital pins for a multitude of unique experiences available at each resort.
[caption id="attachment_1272" align="alignright" width="210"] The EpicMix is the first of its kind online & mobile application.[/caption]
EpicMix is a digital application that you can access online, at your computer or via a free mobile application that can be downloaded for the iPhone, Android or other smart phone. EpicMix will allow you to share your statistics and accomplishments through updates on Twitter and Facebook and you can create special EpicMix leader boards with your Facebook friends. The EpicMix mobile application will alert you when any of your Facebook friends are skiing and where they are on the mountain. The app will also allow guests to send messages to their private groups of Facebook friends on the mountain. The mobile application will also provide trail and grooming information, snow and weather reports, as well as resort news and traffic updates. It is worth noting that Epic Mix mobile application requires data roaming which is subject to charges by your mobile phone network, however many properties have access to WiFi which will allow you to avoid any data roaming charges.
Here is a video explaining the Epic Mix further:
EpicMix will also have a special website for kids under the age of 14, which will allow them to connect with their parents’ accounts, but will have content designed specifically for them and unique pins only kids can earn. The kids’ site also will have special privacy restrictions. Parents will also be able to use EpicMix to track the lift rides of their kids in real time.
“With the advent of new technology in equipment and new features on the mountain, skiing and riding have become the ultimate form of creative expression in sports and travel. At the same time, the rapid growth of social media has given people a whole new way to express themselves online and connect with friends and family. EpicMix is a groundbreaking experience that brings both together in a seamless and hassle free way for all of our guests,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. “EpicMix takes the fun of playing and sharing online and marries it with the very real experience of skiing and riding. By not requiring our guests do anything new, EpicMix is accessible to everyone, not just those already familiar with social media. EpicMix has the ability to track your physical accomplishments, similar to applications like Nike+ and then combine it with the community experience of location-based social media, similar to applications like Gowalla.”
The basic functionality of EpicMix does not require you to do anything but ski and ride as you always have. There is nothing to buy, nothing new to wear and no required check-ins with your mobile. The application is embedded into Vail Resorts’ existing EPIC season pass. EpicMix can be used by any guest at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly. EpicMix will launch on opening day at Keystone Mountain on Nov. 5, 2010.
The Epic season pass which features EpicMix is valid for unlimited skiing all season at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, as well as Heavenly in California. When pre-booked through Ski Independence an adult Epic pass is £350 and a child pass (age 5-12 yrs) is £181. It is the perfect choice for long stays, or for people visiting the States twice during the 2010/11 season. The Epic Season pass must be booked & paid for by 15th November.
The privacy of Vail Resorts guests is of paramount importance to the Company and no information collected through EpicMix will be shared unless you “opt in” and specifically chooses to share your information. All information collected through EpicMix is subject to the strict privacy policies of Vail Resorts. You can choose to disable the RF chip in your pass to prevent any scanning. Children under 14 participating in Epic-Mix will have limited features and a connection only to their parents’ account.