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“We’ve put a lot of attention into technology the last few NASTAR racer himself. But the key to the program was the
years to both create a better experience for NASTAR par- implementation of RFID. “It’s really streamlined our entire
ticipants and to make operation more efficient at NASTAR program,” Nichols added. “We just scan it once and it goes
resorts,” said Bill Madsen, NASTAR’s longtime director. into the system. It allows us to do much higher volumes.”
“We’ve developed tools to make the program more efficient In Massachusetts, Wachusett Mountain, the leading
to operate for the host resorts and we have made it easier for volume course in the country, has seen similar efficiencies
skiers and riders to participate.” since implementing RFID on its NASTAR course.
NASTAR’s partnership with Cypress has allowed par- “We had been looking for an opportunity to put some-
ticipating resorts to operate leaner and more efficiently. thing in place to take out human error,” said Gayle Joseph,
Using either existing RFID cards from the resort, or a special Wachusett’s NASTAR data manager. “This past year the only
NASTAR card, racers simply slide up to the start and their time we had an issue was with someone who didn’t have an
card is instantly scanned into the system. With the racer RFID card.”
automatically logged in, the race operator can simply say, Like Aspen, Joseph pointed to greater volume as the
“Racer ready, GO!” The system records the racer’s finish key benefit of RFID. During its busy two-hour weekend
time, calculates his or her handicap, the medal earned, how NASTAR time slot, Wachusett was able to grow by 50
much faster the individual must race to earn the next medal, percent in volume on some high traffic days.
and posts the result live online.
“NASTAR came to us a few years ago looking for solu- ENGAGING PARTICIPANTS WITH
tions to a more efficient operation,” said Cypress President BADGES & BUDDIES
Paul Ahern. “RFID provided a good solution to save time This season NASTAR and its timing partner GRS will roll
and eliminate data entry mistakes.” out a digital badging system that will motivate NASTAR
The present NASTAR system works with RFID lift participants to compete more often. In addition to the
tickets at most resorts. If the host resort does not use RFID, traditional NASTAR pins for performance, the online badges
NASTAR RFID cards are available. will reward participants for the number of runs they ski
Cypress was an early innovator in RFID technology, and the number of resorts where they race within a season.
starting in Florida in 1983 and now headquartered in Participants will also receive badges on their participation
Michigan where it is a leader in the automotive industry. in NASTAR since electronic results have been recorded.
Presently around 40 resorts are using its RFID technology, NASTAR will be celebrating those that achieve these mile-
including two dozen piloting the new NASTAR application. stones though their digital media.
The system will be deployed through the mobile-op-
BUILDING AN EFFICIENT NASTAR OPERATION timized website NASTAR.com, with an accompanying
As mountain managers know, to get the biggest bang out of notification system that will inform participants of updates.
RFID efficiencies you need to incorporate it into a well-man- The new NASTAR.com, which rolled out last season,
aged program structure. NASTAR is working closely with has provided a better interface for results and rankings, as
resorts on new ways to manage NASTAR as efficiently and well as regular content specifically designed for NASTAR
economically as possible. Depending on the layout of the participants. The live timing feature, which debuted five
race venue, many resorts can now run NASTAR with just years ago, now allows friends to follow the action online or
one staff person. parents freeskiing on the mountain to know when their kids
Under the leadership of Scott Nichols, Colorado’s Aspen are racing.
Mountain has redesigned its NASTAR race venue for a more More than 100 resorts nationwide host NASTAR each
efficient operation. The new venue features top-to-bottom year. As we celebrate the 50 anniversary of the world’s
th
viewing allowing the starter to monitor the entire course. oldest and best-known recreational ski and snowboard racing
The addition of RFID has, in turn, sped up the registration program, the hope is that even more resorts will join the
process also. And instead of having to put manpower into effort to help spark interest in sport competition and develop
the finish line, additional staff can work on course repair and the US racing champions of the future.
engage with guests at the top of the course.
“What we were looking for in efficiency was not nec- As vice president of communications at US Ski & Snowboard,
essarily less staff, but putting them into different roles to Tom Kelly oversees all public relations and corporate communi-
increase our NASTAR volume,” said Nichols, a 37-year cations for the organization.

EARLY WINTER 2017 | NSAA JOURNAL | 55