The alarm pierced the pre-dawn silence at 4 a.m., and I was already questioning my life choices.Another alpine start to beat the infamous canyon traffic heading to Utahs ski resorts. But today was different. I was pointing my beat-up Honda Element northeast instead of southeast, driving past Logan and up the empty canyon road to Beaver Mountain, where I could use my Indy Pass.

　　Despite the early start, things went better than Id expected. There was no traffic. The parking lot was totally deserted. Confusion overwhelmed me. Was the resort closed? Didn’t people know it was a pow day? Where was the powder panic?

　　I got an old-school wicket day pass from a rosy-cheeked woman at the ticket office. Then, I was ready for a day of deep turns to come — with no lift lines and very few other people to share the stashes with.

　　A sleepy powder day awaits at the fairytale-like Beaver Mountain; (photo/Beaver Mountain) Skiing on the Indy Pass feels like Ive stepped into a time machine and gone back about 25 years. I cant promise everyone that every powder day at any of the 230+ mountains on the Indy Pass will be as uncrowded and stress-free as my days at Beaver Mountain were last winter. But I can promise that it will change your riding experience. Having so many options at so many small resorts makes for a distinctly unique ski season.

　　The Indy Pass has carved out its own niche by partnering with independent ski areas across North America. You get 2 days at each participating resort, with options for adding days at a discount.

　　In short: The Indy Pass is for skiers who want an alternative to mega-resort passes or overpriced exclusive mountains. It offers variety, flexibility, and value. It has a globe-spanning roster of partner resorts and a dedication to maintaining mom-and-pop vibes at all of them. You only get 2 days at each resort on the pass, which can feel limiting. But it is also an encouragement to get out and experience other small, independent mountains that you otherwise never would have visited.

　　Specs 230+ partner resorts: 2 days/resort: $419 w/ blackout dates: $539 w/o blackout dates: Pros Incredible value Supports local independent ski areas Exploration/road tripping Less crowding Less lines Forces you to slow down Cons Uneven geography Only two days per resort Inconsistency in partners from season to season Gradually rising cost More money/time spent on travel Forces you to slow down Sam Morse Indy Pass Review Indys innovative approach to resort partnerships is turning heads in the ski industry. Following its recent acquisition of Black Mountain in New Hampshire, Indy is pioneering a new model of ski pass/resort partners. Instead of just slapping its logo on a lift ticket, theyre investing in the long-term viability of independent ski operations.

　　To top it all off, Indy Pass recently announced the addition of over 30 new partner resorts for the 2024/25 winter season, bringing its total to more than 230 ski areas. Notably, Loveland Ski Area in Colorado took the plunge and joined Indy, further complicating the calculus for Denver Metro skiers and riders looking for a mega-pass alternative.

　　With demand higher than ever, Indy Passes for the 2024/25 season have already sold out after a recent limited-time sale. Each year, these passes fly off the shelves, leaving latecomers wishing theyd acted sooner. If you’re hoping to be part of Indy’s unique and growing community of independent ski areas, be ready to make your move early next season to snag a pass before they’re gone.

　　Loveland Ski Area joined Indy Pass for the 2024/25 ski season; (photo/Dustin Schaefer) Its All in the Family At roughly the cost of 4 days (or less) at a mega-resort, the Indy Pass gives you access to hundreds of independent mountains. But the real value goes deeper than dollars and cents. Youre supporting local ski areas that have been the backbone of ski culture for generations.

　　Kristi Seeholzer, VP of Beaver Mountain, maintains that the Indy Pass has allowed her family-owned and -operated mountain to grow responsibly. And theres a whole lot of growth that needs managing.

　　Weve doubled our skier business in the last seven years, she noted. Last year, we saw visitors from 42 different states and eight different countries. Thats never happened before.

　　That increase in visitor traffic has a lot to do with the resorts Indy Pass partnership.

　　Although Seeholzer holds a lofty title, in true Indy/mom-and-pop style, she — along with her family — is always at the resort doing whatever needs to get done.

　　Beaver Mountains triple lift, named after Harry Seeholtzer; (photo/Indy Pass, Beaver Mountain) Her husband, Travis, is still out grooming trails, and her 82-year-old mother-in-law is one of Beaver Mountains lead ticket agents.

　　I mean — youll find me changing toilet paper, she laughed. It really is a family business.”

　　Independent But Not Necessarily Small As a true mom-and-pop ski area that hearkens back to skiings golden age, Beaver Mountain is an Indy Pass gem. However, while all Indy resorts are independent, not all of them are quite so down-home and family-run. Bigger mountains, like Colorados Loveland and Idahos Brundage, also fill out the roster — offering variety and a larger footprint.

　　Again, with over 230 resorts, the Indy Pass provides skiers and riders with every imaginable type of experience, from friendly, beginner-centric hills, to gnarly, alpine terrain thats best left to the experts. With a little gumption (and a healthy travel budget), you can find the perfect ski area to match your abilities, preferences, and budget.

　　Idahos Brundage Mountain offers steeps, deeps, and up to 1,920 acres of skiable terrain; (photo/Indy Pass, Brundage) Thinner Crowds, Chiller Vibes Because the Indy Pass limits sales, there is a cap on Indy Pass crowds — a dynamic that Seeholzer lists as one of its best qualities.

　　The [Indy Pass] limits the number of passes for sale, she said. Because the mega passes dont limit how many are for sale, it’s really ruined the experience for a lot of folks.

　　For example, since 2020, Vail Resorts Epic Pass sales have increased 95%, from 1.2 million to 2.4 million. About 80% of that increase was from first-time buyers. No matter how you shake it, that means congestion on the roads — and on the hill.

　　Alterra Mountain Company (owner of the Ikon Pass) does not release its year-over-year sales growth numbers. But based on Vails numbers, we can assume Alterras isnt negligible either.

　　Nope definitely no tree riding at Beaver Mountain; (photo/Indy Pass, Beaver Mountain) Downsides of the Indy Pass Geography is the biggest hurdle in buying into the Indy Pass. Unless youre planning a road trip or ski vacation, you might only have access to a handful of resorts within driving distance. That equates to more money spent on gas and/or plane flights, hotel stays, and eating out.

　　The 2-day limit per resort can also feel tight, especially if you fall in love with a particular mountain. And then theres the heartbreak when a favorite spot drops out (pour one out for Powder Mountain). While the Indy Pass adds new mountains every year, some end their Indy partnerships. So, the roster is slightly different every year.

　　The rising cost of the pass is worth noting, as well, though its still a fraction of the cost to buy an Epic or Ikon pass. This season, the pass is $20 more than in 23/24 — which is marginal. The grandfathered price retains its incredible value of $279 for passholders who continually renew.

　　Saving 'Souls of Communities': TGR Highlights Power of Indy Pass in New DocumentaryA new documentary from TGR called 'Mountains Not For Profit' explores the struggle of small ski mountains and how the Indy Pass model is saving them from almost-certain failure. Read more

　　Sam Morse