First Implementation Of TAO Ticketless Lift Pass App For Simonhöhe Ski Area In Carinthia Ready

A ski area without lift tickets and with free access to the slopes - what sounds almost utopian will become reality on the Carinthian Simonhöhe in winter 2020/21. TAO is developing the first all-round digital access system: TAO Ticket to Winter. From November 2020, tickets in the Simonhöhe ski area will only be sold via an app. All interested winter sports enthusiasts can plan their day of skiing in a simple and uncomplicated manner and head straight to the slopes, because access to the lifts is also free. Queues at the lift are a thing of the past and the current distance rules can be adhered to in the best possible way.

The project:

The idea for a purely digital access system had been in our development drawer for several years, but until 2020 they lacked a courageous destination that would take this trend-setting step. During an area inspection at Simonhöhe in spring 2020, TAO found exactly the partner who they lacked for the implementation of the project and who is open enough for innovations of this kind. Corona and the associated uncertainty in terms of distance, crowds and ski tourism accelerated the launch of TAO Ticket to Winter again.

Together with the lift operator, with TAO Ticket to Winter they have created a concept for the implementation on site and the digital processing of the ticket purchase via app and online shop. Regardless of whether you are an individual guest, family or group - you can buy your ticket conveniently from home using the Simonhöhe app.

The aim of the project is to remove organizational hurdles for all ski guests in the first step and to focus entirely on sporty winter fun. As a result, the digital access system will also be expanded to include offers in summer and ultimately covers everything possible, from buying parking tickets to renting e-bikes.

New culture of skiing - freedom and trust

Probably the greatest innovation in this project is to establish a new ski culture and rethink customer relationships in tourism: We rely on trust and freedom in our guests and create a ski area without a turnstile. There are only random checks of the tickets purchased. If you don't take your smartphone with you on the slopes, you can of course print out a ticket. On site, specially trained staff will explain how to use the app to guests if necessary.

Digital access system for the year-round destination

As an expert in the tourism sector, we also provide the digital infrastructure for year-round tourism. The Simonhöhe app will be further developed and expanded to include functions that cover all summer tourism offers. As a comprehensive access and information system, parking tickets can also be purchased online or e-bikes can be rented so that guests can immediately pedal without any organizational hurdles and enjoy the time-out in nature for even longer.

App and online shop

As the digital heart of the project, the app and online shop offer user-friendly ticket purchases - all use cases and ticket types are optimized for the digital purchase process. The use of the slopes can be activated for the desired period of time from single to multi-day or group tickets. Vouchers can also be purchased as gifts in the online shop at simonhoehe.at, which can also be redeemed in the app.
Security and Sustainability

The year 2020 brought a new challenge for the operators of ski resorts with the pandemic spread of the corona virus. By relocating ticket sales via the app, the safety of guests is also ensured in these matters and queues are avoided. In this way, the current rules of conduct and distance can be adhered to even better on site. In addition, the elimination of day tickets also conserves natural resources.

The result

All attractions were handled via the new system. This enabled a fresh business model and new, profitable tickets. And the results of the first season speak for themselves: