Wicket (ski)
Encyclopedia
A wicket for skiing is a short piece of light gauge, bend-resistant wire formed into shape to loop through the clothing of a skier or snowboarder. It serves as a secure attachment point for a lift ticket
, or other proof of payment such as a cross country (nordic) trail pass.
Prior to the introduction of ticket wickets, lift tickets were stapled directly to clothing. The original Ticket Wicket was invented by Killington Ski Resort
employee and Killington, Vermont resident Martin S. "Charlie" Hanley, and given its name by his wife Jane. The ticket wicket was patented in 1963, and licensed to ski areas across the U.S. following a road show sponsored by Killington. Despite quick and widespread adoption of the wicket, Hanley never made any money off the soon-ubiquitous ticket wicket; an avid skiier, he was content to invent something that further developed the then-nascent sport of downhill skiing.
The use of a wire threaded through a belt loop, waistband, or zipper-pull was a big improvement over previous attachment systems. It prevented damage to clothing by not requiring the lift ticket to be directly stapled or glued to clothing. It made tampering with the lift ticket difficult.
The ticket wicket inspired several innovations to make its use more convenient, such as . In addition, many ski jackets are designed with wickets in mind, providing plastic or cloth loops that allow the attachment of a wicket without interfering with zipper operation.
Lift ticket
A Lift ticket is an identifier usually attached to a skier's outerwear that indicates they have paid and can ride on the ski lift up a mountain to ski....
, or other proof of payment such as a cross country (nordic) trail pass.
Prior to the introduction of ticket wickets, lift tickets were stapled directly to clothing. The original Ticket Wicket was invented by Killington Ski Resort
Killington Ski Resort
Killington Mountain Resort & Ski Area is a ski resort near Killington, Vermont. It is the largest ski area in the Eastern United States, and has the largest vertical in New England as well at 3050 feet.-History:In 1954, Perry H...
employee and Killington, Vermont resident Martin S. "Charlie" Hanley, and given its name by his wife Jane. The ticket wicket was patented in 1963, and licensed to ski areas across the U.S. following a road show sponsored by Killington. Despite quick and widespread adoption of the wicket, Hanley never made any money off the soon-ubiquitous ticket wicket; an avid skiier, he was content to invent something that further developed the then-nascent sport of downhill skiing.
The use of a wire threaded through a belt loop, waistband, or zipper-pull was a big improvement over previous attachment systems. It prevented damage to clothing by not requiring the lift ticket to be directly stapled or glued to clothing. It made tampering with the lift ticket difficult.
The ticket wicket inspired several innovations to make its use more convenient, such as . In addition, many ski jackets are designed with wickets in mind, providing plastic or cloth loops that allow the attachment of a wicket without interfering with zipper operation.