New Indy Pass Resorts Include a B.C. Sleeper and a Montana Gem
This article originally appeared on Ski Mag
When the Indy Pass went off sale after only a few weeks last spring, the industry was pretty surprised. Most multipass products hit the market as the ski season winds down in the spring, go through a series of price hikes into the summer and fall, and then are removed from the market as the new ski season ramps up.
The reason given for the abrupt pull from the marketplace was the pass's popularity and record renewals, and the concern that the small resorts it serves would quickly become overrun. After all, the raison d'etre for the Indy Pass is to offer an alternative to the crowded megaresorts on the Ikon and Epic Passes, so overselling the pass would be pretty hypocritical.
If you're not familiar, the Indy Pass debuted in 2019 with 44 independently owned ski areas and has quickly grown over the last few years. Last spring, there were 104 ski areas on the pass; today's announcement brings that number to 170 alpine and cross-country ski areas. Pass holders get two days at each resort, plus 25 percent off a third day.
Back in the spring, Indy Pass founder Doug Fish said there were several new partner resorts in the pipeline, and they would take some time to reassess, possibly putting the pass back on sale in the fall after making sure that the unique experience offered at the partner resorts would not be compromised.
Today, Fish and Indy Pass owner Erik Mogensen announced that the pass will indeed go back on sale on Oct. 10 and that there are 50--yes, 50--new resorts joining the pass for the 2023-'24 ski season. The new partners are a mix of alpine and Nordic ski areas located in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan, the biggest of which include B.C.’s Big White, Montana Snowbowl, and N.H.’s Dartmouth Skiway, plus SkiWelt in Austria--nine interconnected resorts--and seven new ski area in Japan. Scroll down for a full list for new resort partners.
"We are pleased to announce this record number of new partners that will greatly expand our network of independently-owned resorts and preserve a wide-open authentic experience for all guests," said Fish. "We've been working diligently during the off-season to add to our roster of independent resorts and create more capacity for passionate skiers and riders."
Sales will open first to people who joined the waitlist last spring. You can still get on it here. Prices for the pass start at $399 for the Indy Base Pass, which has holiday blackout dates, and $499 for the Indy+ Pass, with no blackouts. Find full-price information here.
"We are serious about growing the Indy Pass and doing it responsibly," said Mogensen. "The remarkable addition of over 50 new partners across three continents allows us to offer an affordable option to more people. Skiing and riding should not be a luxury good."
We can get behind that.
New Indy Pass Alpine Ski Areas for 2023-’24
West
Baldy Mountain Resort, B.C.
Big White Resort, B.C.
Cooper Spur Ski Area, Ore.
Loup Loup Ski Bowl, Wash.
Phoenix Mountain, B.C.
Shames Mountain, B.C.
Rockies
Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C.
Howelsen Hill, Colo.
Montana Snowbowl, Mont,
Pass Powderkeg, Alb.
Midwest
Andes Tower Hills, Minn.
Bottineau Winter Park, N.D.
Great Bear Ski Valley, S.D.
Huff Hills Ski Area, N.D.
Mount Baldy Ski Area, Ont.
Snowstar, Ill.
East
Dartmouth Skiway, N.H.
Maple Ski Ridge, N.Y.
Whaleback Mountain, N.H.
Mid-Atlantic
Ski Big Bear, Penn.
Europe
SkiWelt, Austria
Brixen im Thale
Ellmau
Going
Hopfgarten
Itter
Kelchsau
Scheffau
Soll
Westendorf
Japan
Ani Ski Resort, Tohoku
Kamui Ski Links, Hokkaido
Kiroro Snow World, Hokkaido
Madarao Ski Resort, Nagano
Pippu Ski Resort, Hokkaido
Togakushi Ski Resort, Nagano
Yubari Ski Resort, Hokkaido
New Allied Resorts (pass holders get discounted lift tickets)
Mont Ripley Ski Area, Mich.
Skaneateles Ski Club, N.Y.
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