More and more resorts are introducing the hands free lift pass system: Chamonix; The 3 Vallees; Espace Killy; Portes du Soleil and now Paridiski all use the technology. You no longer need to freeze your fingers off every time you get on a lift; the convenient new electronic cards are kept in a jacket or trouser pocket and when they are picked up by special sensors the turnstiles automatically revolve.
The passes offer obvious benefits to the consumer and to lift pass companies; they were originally conceived to cut down on lift pass fraud and to enable more flexible pass packages, but there has been another less obvious advantage: the uniqueness of each card means that skiers movements can be tracked, enabling rescue services to localise the whereabouts of anyone who goes missing on the mountain. The body of a British holidaymaker caught in an avalanche in La Plagne at the beginning of February was recovered thanks to the system, which allowed the authorities to pinpoint the last lift that was taken by the unfortunate skier.
Check your preferred resort's website to confirm whether the hands free passes (forfait mains libres) are available. There is usually a small deposit to pay on the cards, around 3euros, but this is refunded upon return of the pass. The passes can alternatively be kept, allowing the consumer to book future ski passes online.
