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After a day of incredible runs at Wyoming’s Grand Targhee Resort, Doug Fish mulled over the idea of creating a ski pass focused on independently-owned resorts.
“The smaller [resorts] just lend themselves to an authentic vibe,” Fish says, recalling the quiet slopes and short chairlift line. “It’s the way skiing was in the 60’s and 70’s, before real estate became a big piece of the picture.”
These are the types of experiences that inspired Indy Pass, which offers passholders two days at each of its 110 independently-owned resorts across North America and Japan, like Montana’s Red Lodge Mountain and Japan’s Aomori Spring Ski Resort. The idea was born in 2018 from a changing ski industry: As new season ski passes—which grant unlimited (or limited, depending on the pass) ski days at multiple ski resorts—formed and older ones dissolved, Fish noticed a gap in the market. While the Vail-owned Epic Pass and Alterra-owned Ikon Pass focused on the largest resorts in the world, smaller resorts were left on their own.
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As skiing and snowboarding have become increasingly popular, there’s been a greater demand for these lesser-known resorts. During the 2021 to 2022 season, the Indy Pass recorded 130,000 skier visits, up from 9,000 just two seasons prior. And with the crowding and complaints experienced at many larger resorts last season, it’s expected that the demand for these smaller resorts will continue to grow.
Indy Passes can be purchased online, for $429 with no blackout dates or $329 with blackout dates at some resorts, and are valid for the entire 2022 to 2023 ski season, which typically lasts from December through April.
Fish notes that the Indy Pass is perfect for those who might travel for a ski vacation, as well as for those that live within driving distance of a number of the resorts. For those who want to ski weekly, or multiple times per week, he says some customers use Indy Pass to supplement a season pass to a local resort—the good news here is that anyone who has an unlimited season pass to any single Indy ski resort gets a 30 percent discount on the larger pass.
If you're thinking about scooping up an Indy Pass, or want a sense of where you might be able to use one, consider the below our guide to the best independent ski resorts in North America, all of which are part of Indy Pass. (Most of these resorts open early- to mid-December for the season, weather pending—keep an eye on their websites for the best info on opening dates, and note that they do have a habit of shifting.)
Brundage Mountain Resort, McCall, Idaho
Located in the high peaks of west-central Idaho, Brundage Mountain Resort was the first to join the Indy Pass, jumpstarting what would become a major player in the season ski pass world. In addition to the 1,920 acres of in-bounds terrain, Brundage offers guided backcountry skiing via SnowCat on 18,000 acres, guaranteeing untracked, powder-filled runs that skiers and riders spend seasons searching for.
The best bet for lodging and dining is in the nearby town of McCall. Shore Lodge, which overlooks the glacial waters of Payette Lake, offers a number of lake-view suites and spacious standard rooms with a modern mountain lodge feel.
Powder Mountain, Eden, Utah
For those in-the-know, Powder Mountain represents the pinnacle of downhill skiing in North America. With nearly 8,500 acres of skiable terrain, the resort is larger than nearby Park City and even Whistler. Technically, much of Powder’s terrain is accessible only by SnowCat, hiking, or snowmobile, meaning knowledge of backcountry travel is required to ski it. But with limits on both season and day passes combined with over 500 inches of powder annually, finding fresh tracks from one of their nine lifts is rarely a problem.
While there are no hotels on-site, there are a number of lodging options at Powder. Horizon 7770, which is a two-bedroom cabin designed by award-winning architect Brian Mackay-Lyons, boasts spectacular views of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains just steps from the slopes. For more lodging and dining options and livelier nightlife, head to the nearby town of Ogden.
Mount Hood Meadows, Mount Hood, Oregon
Of the three ski resorts located on the dramatic slopes of Mount Hood, Mount Hood Meadows is the largest with some of the most diverse terrain. Just an hour and a half from Portland, the ski area is known for its steep bowls and chutes, but has enough gentle terrain spread across its 2,150 acres to keep beginners busy for days.
Cooper Spur Mountain Resort lies in the shadows of Mount Hood, and features mountain lodge-style accommodations like log cabins and condos with post and beam interiors. The on-site restaurant, The Crooked Tree Tavern and Grill, is focused on sustainability and offers a locally-sourced rotating menu of sandwiches, salads, and larger plates (think free-range peach-glazed chicken) from nearby farms, ranches, wineries, and breweries.
Jay Peak Resort, Jay, Vermont
At Jay Peak, it’s not uncommon for a forecasted “dusting” of snow to turn into a knee-deep powder day. With over 350 inches of snow annually, some of the best tree skiing in New England, and significantly smaller crowds than Vermont’s famed Stowe Resort, Jay offers some of the best skiing in the East.
The 57-suite Tram Haus Lodge is a ski-in ski-out hotel directly at the mountain’s base, next to the Aerial Tram to the summit. With details and fixtures made of repurposed items from the ski area and neighboring towns, like a railing made from an old tram haul rope, the lodge pays homage to the area’s ski culture and history.
Bluebird Backcountry, Kremmling, Colorado
New to the Indy Pass for the 2022 to 2023 ski season, Bluebird Backcountry isn’t your traditional ski resort—there are no chairlifts. This resort is focused on human-powered travel, allowing skiers to learn how to combine hiking and skiing in a safe, controlled environment. While this type of skiing isn’t for everyone, hiking for your turns can often yield better runs than you’d ever find at a traditional resort. And, hey, you won’t spend a minute waiting in a lift line.
Accommodations at Bluebird consist of a reservation-based camping area at the base lodge where guests are welcome to park RV’s and camper vans. There are also a few simple hostel-style and private cabins as well as hike-to huts available for rent. If roughing it isn’t your thing, Steamboat Springs is just a half-hour up the road, and has plenty of hotels and lodges.
Apex Mountain Resort, Penticton, British Columbia
Often overshadowed by resorts like Whistler and Revelstoke, Apex Mountain Resort is one of British Columbia’s last remaining secrets. With an annual snowfall average of 240 inches, Apex is known for the high-quality, dry snow that blankets its 79 on-piste trails, steep bowls and chutes, and vast glades through the season.
Located within walking distance of the resort village’s shops and restaurants, the Apex Mountain Lodge offers ski-in ski-out access from their 13 newly renovated rooms and suites.