Can the Indy Pass Save Skiing from the Ikon and Epic Pass Hordes? | Outside Watch

Everybody’s buzzing about this affordable passport to smaller, often overlooked ski resorts around the U.S. Its owners think their rapidly growing business could be the antidote to the ski industry’s endless consolidation.
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[@nicholas5396]

Before the mega passes mountains were shutting down at a cyclic rate. The only way to stay open due to the decline in the number of skiers/riders (and unpredictable warm winters) was to raise lift prices. This in turn made skiing unaffordable for many, further solidifying skiings ultimate demise. Enter the mega pass. This gave ski resorts the extra liquidity/cash to stay open even in a bad year and it provided the non high income skier a way to access many of the top resorts all year within needing to be a dentist or a doctor. The downside is what literally saved skiing is now also it's cause of often times ruining the experience for everyone, not just locals. What the answer will be I'm not certain. Maybe it's as simple as on high holidays people have to book reservations or maybe its as simple as investing in higher capacity and speedier lifts. I'm not sure. What I am sure of is without the mega passes more mountains, and their staff, will be gone. Hopefully the indy pass will help keep the other resorts open!

[@jamescarper5942]

Icon and epic have ruined skiing in Utah. Battling the crowds just to get to the mountain runs the experience. Faster/bigger chairs don’t make it easier to get to the mountain. Let resorts battle for skier’s allegiance. Works resorts will still see their base, smaller mountains can find a niche, and if they go under, they will get bought by prospective organizations. I think the problem will solve itself without icon and epic, although I know neither of these entities are going away.

[@scarface548]

no

[@Steve-mart1n]

Too many people moving to places like Colorado. I'd be fine with new residents and/or out of state folks having to pay more for things like ski passes to help make up for the fact that they are ruining things for the people that were already there. Obviously this would never happen but it would be great if it did! ;)