News - Press Releases

August 27, 2001
Colorado’s Christy Sports To Automate Lift Passes with Livewire Kiosk

Automated ski lift passes will be available in Colorado’s Front Range through Christy Sports Store locations this season, according to a Livewire Kiosk announcement made today from their satellite office in Golden, CO. “This is an excellent use of available resources and business relationships,” explained Executive VP of Sales, John Holbert, “and our kiosks will now provide an added value service that puts consumers directly on the slopes.” The Livewire organization provides interactive, real-time content from resorts, manufacturers and brand sponsors directly to consumers in retail focused on recreation.

The automated lift-ticketing program has several features that will contribute to a successful program for ski areas, retail outlets and consumers. Skiers and Snowboarders will now be able to quickly and easily purchase lift tickets during all hours of operations at participating Christy Sports store locations via Livewire kiosks. Half-day, single day, and multiday lift tickets will all be available through this new method of ticket distribution. No longer will resort customers have to wait in purchasing lines at Christy Sports or ski areas or worry about where to find the most recently discounted tickets. Consumers will simply choose their desired resort destination, choose their method of payment and go directly from car to chair lift with a “live” and scanable lift ticket.

Livewire’s ticketing process will liberate the Christy Sports’ staff to sell more merchandise and enhance operational efficiency by providing a higher level of customer service. No longer will retailers be forced to give precious staff time to the process of selling a lift ticket. “Our store sales associates will now be free to help customers get what they need for their skiing trip, increasing the overall level of customer service.” said Al Panicucci, Director of Front Range Operations for Christy Sports, Inc.

“Our goal is to automate the process of selling off-site lift tickets and at the same time dramatically improve the efficiency of our resort and retail partners,” said Andrew Heltzel, Director of Winter Sports. This new automated system provides Colorado-based resorts an avenue to respond quickly to early season price incentives and allows them to run special short-term ticketing promotions.

Livewire’s national kiosk network drives interactive “live” content from manufacturers and resorts to consumers on equipment, conditions, cam shots, events, lodging, trail maps and more. Direct requests from consumers are driving traffic to vacation areas and web sites. The other factor fueling the excitement about Livewire is the prize program that gives consumers and retailer associates opportunities to win. Incentives include travel packages, skiing with celebrities, “free” snowboards and skis, and weekly give-a-ways of lift passes.

Livewire Kiosk provides a direct communication pipeline to consumers at the retail point of purchase enabling industry participants to easily and precisely connect with a highly qualified audience. Livewire was founded in 1998 with principal offices in York, PA and Golden, CO.