Wicket (ski)
A wicket for skiing (also called a ticket wicket) 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 1966, 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 ski ticket holder pigtail. 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.