The Indy Pass

[Harvey]

All three passes would probably fold up if every skier in America was like every skier in this forum.

I'm content with the outdated pass model that I use. Life is simple and skiing is fun.

The amount of whining today was mind blowing.

 

[Q*bert Jones IV]

All three passes would probably fold up if every skier in America was like every skier in this forum.

I'm content with the outdated pass model that I use. Life is simple and skiing is fun.

The amount of whining today was mind blowing.

About the only thing that everybody can agree on these days is that everybody else whines too much.

 

[lukoson]

I’d consider doing as an add on to a Gore/WF/Belle season pass. Would take advantage of 2 days at magic and jay, a couple nights at West and I guess something else.

 

[tirolski]

What's more unusual than the acreage is that PowMow started limiting season passes and day tickets several years ago after the new owners took over. Something like 1500 day tickets on top of the 3000 season passes. That means under 5000 people for 7000 acres. Tickets didn't used to sell out often, but it definitely pays to get one before driving up the mountain road. It's more nerve wracking than the road up LCC to Alta/Snowbird.

PowMow has a relatively short season for Utah since there is no snowmaking, late Dec to late March.

Yup. Says Utah state Highway 158 is one of the steepest roads in the US.
It drops ya so ya can ski down to get on lifts after arrival if ya want. Absolutely no shuttling with yer vehicle though.
Uphill travel allowed with lift ticket in places and after season closes. Looks to be an amazing place.
Kinda like an upgrade of Michigan’s Voodoo Mountain with lights, Wasach elevation and pow.

Mountain – Powder Mountain

Located in Eden, Utah and boasts the most skiable acreage in North America and limits daily tickets.

www.powdermountain.com

Road Rules and Safe Driving Tips for Driving to Powder Mountain (HWY 158) | Powder Mountain Real Estate | Summit Sotheby's International Realty

Did you know Powder Mountain Road (HWY 158) is one of the steepest roads in America? With a consistent grade of 14%, HWY 158 can be tricky to drive, especially during snowy winter conditions. In order to ensure your safety please abide by the new Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Snow...

www.powdermountainre.com

 

[XTski]

Indy sounds like a great deal, this isn’t communist Vail so I don’t expect each area to have the same rules like we are sheep to follow brainlessly not complicated at all if a mountain has the crowds for weekend and holidays why pack in more? Doug seems to know his shit and I appreciate what he does, skiing at an over crowded place sucks

 

[Flying Z]

Indy sounds like a great deal, this isn’t communist Vail so I don’t expect each area to have the same rules like we are sheep to follow brainlessly not complicated at all if a mountain has the crowds for weekend and holidays why pack in more? Doug seems to know his shit and I appreciate what he does, skiing at an over crowded place sucks

I’m definitely into the "low pressure” ski experience so INDY has been a Ullr send. I considered the Epic/IKON passes but the likely increase in crowds at the big resorts and the hunt for variety is sending me to do some freelancing with VT 4 Passes, ski club card, and the INDY. As for flying to use the INDY, it is definitely a push to visit some other areas such as Brundage/Tamarack or Lost Trail, and throw in other non-INDY indies like Bogus Basin or Montana Snowbowl/Disco. Whatever it is, its gonna be fun.

 

[Harvey]

Not at liberty to share specifics but first day sales were off the charts.

 

[marcski]

I take it that you never considered a ski safari based on the MCP. That provides only 2 days too. Wasn't expected that people would drive between the original destination resorts spread all over the Rockies, but enough people did there was a shift in strategy to include resorts that were actually near each other. The first four resorts for 2012-13 were Alta, Aspen, JH, and Squaw/Alpine, priced at $349. There were more people than expected who went to 2-3 flying for long weekends.

Also get 25% discount for a third day at Indy locations.

Based on some of the chatter on the Indy Passholders Facebook group this past season, there are definitely people who are willing to do a lot of driving to ski just a couple days at assorted independent ski areas. Although it's true that not many start by flying to another region.

My guess is that most Indy passholders are hoping to get to 3 places within driving distance. $279/6 means $46.50 per day. So three ski weekends. $279/4 means $69.75 or about $70. Compared to paying $80+ per ticket for two ski weekends, still makes sense for what some people call "casual" skiers/boarders. Doug mentioned in one interview that he hoped to have 5 locations within driving distance for every region.

I wouldn't fly somewhere just to use Indy. But I might get more interested in flying somewhere partially because I could also use Indy for a couple days. For instance, head to Oregon mostly to ski at Bachelor but plan on spending a day or two at Mt. Ashland. Or to be really silly, fly to the midwest to visit relatives and use Indy to check out a few places. Never skied in the midwest. I have a $200 SW voucher from being delayed by a day getting home from ABQ.

When I go West, I try to maximize my ski days. No time for safaris.

 

[MarzNC]

Not at liberty to share specifics but first day sales were off the charts.

Glad to hear it! I know there were people who were hoping Indy would be available much earlier than previous years.

Guess the folks who were whining about the price increase were a vocal minority. What I was reading was from people in New England who are used to the option of getting discounted lift tickets for assorted ski areas/resorts within easy driving distance. Also heard complaints about the blackout dates for Cannon and Saddleback. Those are two of the four locations with the most restrictive access. I don't think some people get how differently Indy is viewed in other regions.

 

[Harvey]

Also the people who circulate in our world are essentially the skiing hardcore. We are a tiny percentage of skiers and visits. All the multi-passes are targeting the bulk of the market, not us. It's their only viable business strategy.

I do think the Indy tiering is too complicated. My guess is that if visits go back to normal next year, things will get simpler going forward.