I have both Epic and Ikon Passes. I have my Ikon Pass on a lanyard because it will be hand scanned at the lower lifts at some resorts I visit, and for others I need to get it scanned at guest services in order to be issued an old fashioned day lift ticket with a with wire wicket, that goes on a zipper on my jacket (subsequently removed at the end of the day). BTW experienced travelers like
@KingGrump keep a small wire cutter in their boot bag to do this kind of thing. Otherwise I have both an arm band that I can use or a goggle strap pass holder to display the pass, if the pass needs to be scanned by a hand scanner.
My Epic Pass is in the ski pass pocket of my jacket as the hand scanners can pick up the pass through a layer of clothing.
Most larger resorts use either RFID or optical scanners that can be used either on season passes or day tickets. Mid-sized resorts are getting there as well, smaller or out of the way resorts might use day tickets rather than some type of media card.