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TECHNOLOGY
The cost of the outdoor camera equipment (particularly
those designed for winter environments) has dropped sub-
stantially in the last five years, as has the cost of cloud storage Courtesy of goTenna Mesh
for storing the video footage for weeks or months (many
ski areas save the footage for a few weeks or a month or two
before taping over it). As more and more ski areas replace
aging chairlifts with new lifts, they are using the timing of goTenna Mesh devices are small enough to attach to a keychain. Once
the new lift to ask lift manufacturers to install additional you download the goTenna app and pair it with the device, you can
start messaging other users without the need for cell service or Wi-Fi.
copper and fiber to service the video equipment and
communications, as part of the broader lift installation—
this too is driving the growth in video surveillance at lifts. Mesh Networking
And it’s not just surveillance at lifts. More ski areas are Cellphone dead spots can be frustrating at best, and dangerous
employing video surveillance for summer activities as well. at worst—which is why mesh networking is a good solution
Aspen and Copper Mountain in Colorado, Greek Peak in for ensuring connectivity in remote areas where cell signal
New York, and other areas are using this technology with is unavailable or unreliable. Such technology offers clear
mountain coasters and zip lines to show that guests are being benefits for mountain operations staff, including patrollers,
instructed on safety guidelines. Such video could become as well as for guests and backcountry skiers and riders.
crucial to prevent lawsuits regarding failure to warn claims A mesh network is a bottom-up, off-grid, local config-
with these summer activities and to prove that guests were uration of multiple smaller nodes strategically placed in
properly instructed on key safety policies. different areas. The nodes communicate on UHF frequencies
But most importantly, now part of the costs of video and act as relay points to piggyback data to and from each
surveillance infrastructure is being subsidized by the federal other—a routing system that enables anyone with a goTenna
government. When Congress recently passed the Tax Cuts Mesh device to create a network and stay connected through
and Jobs Act in December of 2017, the big corporate tax cut text, GPS location, and topographic maps.
under the Trump administration, the tax reforms included goTenna Mesh offers a solution for off-grid connectivity
specific depreciation rules for small business investments. using mesh-networking technology and any iOS or Android
Under Section 179 of the tax code, businesses—especially smartphone. The lightweight device pairs smartphones via
small businesses—can immediately expense (or deduct, Bluetooth, and enables users to send messages and share GPS
with out extended depreciation over years) the costs of locations at ranges of up to 4 miles point-to-point without cell
surveillance, including the cameras, the copper and fiber signal. In addition, each goTenna Mesh device is also a repeater,
service, and the storage capacity. Under Section 179, busi- and will securely and anonymously relay communications to
nesses can now elect to expense up to $1 million of certain up to six devices to extend range.
property placed into service in a given year, and up to $2.5 goTenna Mesh devices are small enough to attach to a
million total. Importantly for ski areas, the new law expands keychain, and pair with a free app available for download on
the list of property eligible for such expensing to include the Apple App Store and Google Play. Devices cost $179 per
certain improvements to business property, including roofs, pair and are available in two-, four-, and eight-packs. Once
HVAC systems, and alarm and surveillance systems. For ski you download the goTenna app and pair it with the device,
areas, and their insurance companies, improvements like you can start messaging other users without the need for cell
installing or upgrading fire suppression systems in lodges, service or Wi-Fi. Because it is a mesh networking device, the
or adding chairlift surveillance systems, may now be imme- more people who use the network, the more extensive the
diately expensed under Section 179. And, these Section 179 range, making it a truly people-powered network.
deduction rules allow immediate expensing for both federal This ability for reliable communications in vast loca-
and state taxes. When advocating for lift video surveillance, tions not covered by traditional communications grids is
involve your accountant or CFO to maximize these deduc- why Powder Mountain, Utah, is now testing goTenna Mesh
tions under the new tax law. for patrol, lift operations, and rescue operations, including
The significant improvement in guest safety, employee solar-powered stationary nodes that live permanently in low
compliance—not to mention lower claims and protecting cell and Wi-Fi service areas.
insurance deductibles—are well worth this small investment Other applications include people attending outdoor
in an older, established technology that is now being festivals, international travelers, and emergency preparedness.
embraced by more and more ski areas. —Dave Byrd Visit www.gotenna.com to learn more. —Rebecca W. Ayers

34 | NSAA JOURNAL | WINTER 2019