Police Cracking Down on Ski Pass Fraud at Lake Tahoe Resorts
Skiers at Palisades Tahoe, California noticed the presence of police officers and deputies at the base of chairlifts on Sunday, March 16, 2025.Why were these officers standing near the RFID gates of each lift? According to a recent social media post by the Placer County Sheriff's Office, the initiative has been spurred by an increase in season pass fraud at resorts across North Lake Tahoe."The Placer County Sheriff's Office will be partnering with local ski resorts in an attempt to help crack down on these thefts," writes the Sheriff's Office. "As a reminder using another person's pass or lift ticket is a crime."According to California Penal Code § 537 PC, defrauding a ski resort by using somebody else's season pass falls under the same category as defrauding a restaurant, hotel, or other service-related business.Ski pass defrauders can face up to one year of imprisonment in a County or State jail, and be fined for the value of the pass. Full Ikon Pass prices were sold for as low as $1,249 this season.Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.
Social media users are expressing negative feedback for the Placer County Sheriff's Office's new ski pass initiative. The dissenting opinions are focused on tax dollars and resources:"What a waste of resources they already pay people to do that," writes Brandon Beck. Beck is referring to the Palisades Tahoe employees that are stationed at each RFID gate to ensure that passes belong to the skiers using them."I don't want my tax dollars used for this. Let the resorts staff ticket scanners appropriately and hire their own private security," writes Tahoe resident Ashley Vander Meer."That's right you better pay your $250 per day pass otherwise we will crack down on you," writes an unidentified Instagram user.Ski bums and locals are highlighting how expensive season passes and lift tickets cost at many ski resorts these days. Some are arguing that the only way they can afford to ski is by borrowing somebody else's pass. Regardless of the financial strains of modern skiing, The Placer County Sheriff's Office seems committed to cracking down on fraud. "Those who are caught will face consequences," the social post ends.POWDER will continue to cover this developing story.
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