Our history

In 1973 we experimented the first electronic access control system world wide at the Italian ski resort of San Vigilio di Marebbe.

The following year Ages supplied to the just established Superski Dolomiti the necessary equipment to issue and control the ski passes.

It is the first step of a lucky venture where Ages gets more than the 80% share of the Italian market and significant share of the French market.

In 1983 the owners decide to sell the access control business and the Ages trademark to Olivetti after a brief period of joint business effort; the company name is then changed into Alfi.

The owners of Alfi continue other activities in the computer technology and medical-scientific area at the Borgoticino headquarter, next to the Maggiore Lake.

In the late 1980s Ippolito becomes managing director of a telecommunications firm and Colombo dedicated his effort to research at the Ispra Nuclear Center.

In 1984 Alfi acquires a share of the company Prometeo, a Milan-based Software House specialized in real-time advanced systems of which Ippolito becomes President.

In the early 1990s Alfi decides to re-enter the ski lift access control arena that meanwhile has experienced very significant changes.

In spite of the fact that the access control market is now almost entirely dominated by Austrian players Alfi achieves shortly encouraging results.

It participates actively at establishing the consortium Skipass Lombardia and provides all equipment necessary for management of operations.

After having gained the trust of over 50 Italian ski resorts, Alfi has decided to promote Libertè, its ski turnstile equipment, outside the national boundary and managed to install the first such systems in France, in Poland and in Japan all during the 2000/2001 season.

The positive feedback of the ski resorts operators encouraged Alfi to continue the venture begun 30 years ago.

With the advent of Internet Alfi develops the first Italian system able to operate of a transponder-based multifunction tourist card, and provides the firm Incoming with a completely off-line system connected to a central server, that allow to operate both summer and winter tourist packages.

Today Gianluca Colombo and Chicco Ippolito, the founders’ sons, dedicate all their efforts to develop innovative solutions and reliable products and ensure customer satisfaction as well as continuity of many long-standing relationships.