Skiing is one of those rare, adjective-defying acts. It’s hard to find language for the precise, incalculable joy of careening down a mountain — some odd cocktail of elation and calm, euphoria and serenity.  

“Flying down a hillside can be almost zen-like once you know what you’re doing,” says Steven Shore, who’s been skiing avidly since the ‘60s. “It feels like freedom. Simply put, I love the sport.”

He’s not alone. For countless folks, skiing is exercise, therapy, and a way to embrace the outdoors — all rolled into one. It brings people together, and in equal measure, it gives space for solitude and contemplation. 

“Skiing has become such an integral part of my life,” says Levi Swanson, a Rhode Island-based skier. “It’s what gets me through the winter, it helps with seasonal depression, and on those super hot summer days, it helps me keep my chill.”

Yet, for all its joy, skiing also has a glaring problem: accessibility. Prices for lift tickets, lodging, rentals, and gear have climbed so high that a day on the slopes can easily cost $300 per person for mountain access alone. On top of that, the slow corporatization of ski resorts has shifted the culture from community oriented to commercial. 

“For me, it is all about the feel of the resort,” says Swanson. “Independent ski areas are the heart of skiing. There is a communal feeling that isn’t present at some of these mega corporate resorts.”

The Indy Pass solution

For skiers like Swanson, the antidote is simple: Indy Pass. Launched in 2019, this unique resort pass connects skiers to more than 250 independent, community-focused ski mountains across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, and now even South America with two days of skiing at each resort, plus a third discounted day. Indy Pass costs close to what some mega resorts are charging for a single day’s lift ticket, and it comes with an entire winter of skiing. You can grab yours in for just $149 today with their payment plan. 

And those mountains aren’t just close to home. With more than 10 resorts across Europe and 20+ in Japan, Indy opens the door to affordable global ski adventures. For many travelers, a week at Innsbruck in the Alps or Kiroro Snow World in Japan can cost less than a trip to a big-name Colorado resort — with the added bonus of discovering new cultures and local community-driven slopes along the way.

“We’re serious about what we do, which is providing affordable access to skiing and riding, while supporting independent ski areas,” says Indy Pass Director Erik Mogensen. “Whether you’d like to ski a few days or an entire winter — Indy Pass is easily the best deal in skiing.”

The benefits are manifold. Not only do skiers get seemingly endless access to countless mountains, but they also gain the opportunity to explore niche areas they might not otherwise think to visit. Indy Pass also offers payment plans with zero interest for customers while returning 85 percent of pass sale funds to the resorts it supports. Plus, the quantity of passes is limited to keep slopes from overcrowding. 

“The introduction of corporate multi passes has left the major resorts overpriced, overcrowded, and soulless. But skiing independent mountains with Indy Pass is relaxed and less expensive. It’s skiing like it used to be.” — Steven Shore

Of course, the downside of putting a limit on the number of passes sold is…they sell out. Quickly. Last season’s passes were gone in fewer than 10 days. But this year, with nearly 40 new resorts (many of them in the US, Canada, and Europe) added to Indy Pass’s roster for the upcoming season, the 25/26 Indy Pass went back on sale on Aug. 28 while supplies last. Resort highlights include Burke Mountain VT, Tenney Mountain Resort NY, Mont Sutton QC, Owls Head QC, McIntyre NH, Hyland Hills, MN, Portes du Soleil France, Krvavec in Slovenia, Leukerbad in Switzerland, and more.

“The introduction of corporate multi passes has left the major resorts overpriced, overcrowded, and soulless,” says Shore. “But skiing independent mountains with Indy Pass is relaxed and less expensive. It’s skiing like it used to be.”

Building a more inclusive ski culture

Unlike corporate resorts — which treat skiing as a cash cow with ever-rising ticket prices — Indy Pass takes the opposite approach. Its mission isn’t profiteering, it’s preservation: keeping the sport accessible and keeping independent mountains alive.

Every pass sold helps sustain independent resorts, ensuring they remain vibrant gathering places for future generations. In that sense, buying an Indy Pass isn’t just a ticket to ski — it’s a way for consumers to invest in the side of the industry that values people over profit.

Earlier this last year, when the ownership at Black Mountain in New Hampshire announced that it needed to close its doors, the Indy Pass team stepped in to purchase the space. “This resort has been a crucial gathering place for skiers for generations, and we didn’t want to see the community lose it,” Mogensen explains. 

They’re also aware that knowledge and experience can be major barriers to entry for new skiers looking to dip their toes into the sport for the first time — which is where the organization’s new Learn-To-Turn initiative comes in. This pass is available to redeem at a handful of partner resorts for the 25/26 season, providing three total days of beginner skiing for only $189 — including equipment rentals and lessons. “This is Indy’s important effort to welcome new people into the ski community,” says Indy Pass.

For them, it’s not just about accessibility, it’s about the people. It’s about rebuilding a sense of giddy joy and camaraderie in the skiing world. “Indy Pass is different from other ski passes because of the community,” says Swanson. “The people I’ve met that also ride Indy, whether it be at a mountain or through Facebook groups, are always the kindest, warmest, and most down to earth people that I encounter.”