Emma, the World’s First Digital Mountain Assistant, Kicks Off the 2018-19 Winter Season in Beta at Keystone Ski Resort

A groomed run in Vail Mountain. Photo- Jack Affleck. Vail Resorts Commits to $175 Million to $180 Million in Capital Investments to Reimagine the Guest Experience for the 2019-20 Season

Emma, the World’s First Digital Mountain Assistant, Kicks Off the 2018-19 Winter Season in Beta at Keystone Ski Resort

– Emma, a first generation technology, offers guests real-time information on everything from snow conditions and parking to rentals and personal performance stats

– Designed to get smarter the more she interacts with guests, Emma is launching first at Keystone to take advantage of the early ski season

– To interact with Emma, guests at Keystone can text her at 77477  

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) announced yesterday that Emma, the world’s first digital mountain assistant, has begun her inaugural winter season, launching in beta at Keystone Ski Resort in Colorado, which opened ahead of schedule this week. Emma is using the early season to better understand how guests ask questions while at the resort and will launch at eight additional ski resorts later this season: Vail, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Tahoe; and Whistler Blackcomb in Canada.

Through simple text messaging, Emma (your Epic Mountain Assistant) offers guests real-time information on everything from snow conditions, parking and personal performance stats to recommendations on rentals, lessons and dining options. This first generation technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) through natural language processing (NLP) to answer questions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through short message service (SMS) text. As Emma interacts with guests, she will get smarter, expanding her knowledge base and insight throughout the season.

Emma, the World's First Digital Mountain Assistant, Kicks Off the 2018-19 Winter Season in Beta at Keystone Ski Resort (PRNewsfoto/Vail Resorts, Inc.)
Emma, the World’s First Digital Mountain Assistant, Kicks Off the 2018-19 Winter Season in Beta at Keystone Ski Resort (PRNewsfoto/Vail Resorts, Inc.)

“We are excited for Emma to launch in beta at Keystone. The earlier Emma can interact with guests on a variety of topics, the faster she will learn and adjust to guest preferences,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer for Vail Resorts. “Emma is the world’s first digital mountain assistant and continues a decade of pioneering technological firsts from Vail Resorts to enhance the guest experience.”

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