Ski Pass Defender aims to protect on-slope privacy

Radio frequency identity has revolutionized the ski industry. Instead of fumbling with frozen fingers, skiers and snowboarders can now move through scanners, letting RFID chips embedded in lift passes open gates before them.

But are there consequences to this convenience? Ski instructor, identity theft expert and former Vail Resorts employee Jon Lawson says yes, and he's invented a product called Ski Pass Defender to protect snow-riders' privacy.

Off the hill, RFID has dozens of uses, from tracking inventory and livestock to linking debit accounts with chips injected under the skin of nightclub frequenters. But from Jay Peak to Verbier, ski resorts worldwide are increasingly using RFID for more than just lift access. This season, Aspen Skiing Co. will allow guests to attach a credit card to season passes, and Vail Resorts is using RFID to power its new social media application, EpicMix , which tracks vertical feet and terrain skied by a user via the lifts they ride. If a user chooses to create an online account, they will be able to view this information. EpicMix also allows users to opt in to share this information with Facebook friends.