Indy Pass—a Smaller Competitor of the IKON and Epic Ski Passes—Keeps Getting Better

Samantha Berman
·2 min read

This article originally appeared on Outside Business Journal

When you're competing against the big guys, you have to get creative. Luckily, that's no problem for Indy Pass founder Doug Fish. The creator of the 82-resort collective that's grown in leaps and bounds since its inception in 2019 is always looking for ways to bring more skiing to more people. While Ikon and Epic passes can feel out-of-reach for some skiers, especially those just breaking into the sport, Indy Pass hopes to incentivize them to stick around. The new Allied Resorts partnerships with six ski areas is just another example of this type of outreach.

<span class="article__caption">Whaleback is known for its programs aimed at teaching kids from surrounding low-income communities to ski.</span> (Photo: Courtesy of Whaleback)
Whaleback is known for its programs aimed at teaching kids from surrounding low-income communities to ski. (Photo: Courtesy of Whaleback)

The rapidly growing consortium of independently-owned ski areas is fast becoming the anti-megapass, well-timed during recent winters where many of the Epic- and Ikon-associated resorts suffered from long lift lines, staff shortages, and crowded slopes. The Indy Pass provides two days at each partner resort, while the Indy Pass Plus offers the same two days but with no blackouts. There's also Indy AddOn passes, which you buy at a reduced cost in addition to your home mountain's season pass, and you get two day at all of the other Indy Pass resorts.

The Allied Resorts are a different, but related, product. Instead of two free days at Allied Resorts, Indy Pass holders get between 25 to 50 percent off lift tickets from Dec. 24 to March 14. They can redeem one lift ticket discount per day by showing their Indy Pass at the ticket window. "The Indy Pass coalition is striving to be as inclusive as possible so that all independent resorts can benefit from this alliance," says Fish.

The Allied Resorts are:

Unrestricted season pass holders at these mountains can also purchase Indy AddOn passes and get two free days at any Indy Pass resort.

In addition to the Allied Resorts, Indy Pass adds five new partner resorts for the 2022-'23 season: Kelly Canyon Resort, Idaho; Ski Bluewood, Wash.; and Ski Sawmill, in Penn. Pass holders get two days at each.

This story was first published by SKI.

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