Indy Ski Pass

[trackbiker]

I don't see how having Dartmouth and Whaleback on No Boundaries would have any significant affect on Indy's revenue, if at all.

 

[Edd]

I don't see how having Dartmouth and Whaleback on No Boundaries would have any significant affect on Indy's revenue, if at all.

Particularly with Whaleback, it’s like bullying the smallest kid in class.

 

[skimagic]

I guess Quechee Lakes should sign up to fill the upper valley void. I gave up on Indy after they refused to give a covid pass credit. I'm Not impressed with this new owner kicking other smalls around.

 

[2planks2coasts]

What a bunch of thugs. Heartbroken that a pass I promoted so enthusiastically has turned into this. Makes me glad that PowMow has said they might be leaving.

 

[Smellytele]

“Indy only if you give up your independence and bow to us”

 

[Harvey]

Who are the closest Indy hills to Whaleback and Dartmouth?

These things are usually about issues that will cause crankiness with nearby members.

There isn't any "forcing" going on, it's a choice for the hill. Us or them.

 

[2planks2coasts]

Who are the closest Indy hills to Whaleback and Dartmouth?

These things are usually about issues that will cause crankiness with nearby members.

There isn't any "forcing" going on, it's a choice for the hill. Us or them.

S6 and Pats Peak IINM. Not about crankiness of anyone nearby. It's Indy being a buch of thugs and mistaking their partnerships for a management contract. Hoping it bites them in the ass.

 

[Harvey]

I guess the question is then would some skiers be less likely to buy a pass to Pats or S6 if they bought Indy and No Boundaries.

 

[2planks2coasts]

I guess the question is then would some skiers be less likely to buy a pass to Pats or S6 if they bought Indy and No Boundaries.

I would wager money that Pats and S6 weren't even aware of this decision by Indy to strongarm Dartmouth and Whaleback out of No Boundaries until it happened.

 

[RH29]

Indy has something that neither IKON nor Epic does and that's multiple options in southern New England. Until Vail buys Ski Sundown or Butternut or some other mountain south of Vermont, I'll stick with Indy even if their business ethics aren't perfect.

 

[AdironRider]

Pats is one of the most redeemed Indy areas in the Northeast and allegedly has been very vocal to Indy about protecting this revenue stream from other independent area competition.

On the one hand, I say yeah that is smart business and no ski area owner is really eager to promote visits to other mountains via competing pass products. On the other hand Indy needs some better marketing/PR people as their entire brand is built on not being or acting like Vail or Alterra and helping out smaller areas.

 

[Smellytele]

Who are the closest Indy hills to Whaleback and Dartmouth?

These things are usually about issues that will cause crankiness with nearby members.

There isn't any "forcing" going on, it's a choice for the hill. Us or them.

It is forcing them to choose

 

[Harvey]

I don't know anything about No Boundaries. Do they share revenue with the member hills?

Cooper doesn't. That is why some hills chose Indy over Cooper.

I know that Plattekill stayed with Cooper, but insisted that no one in NY state should be allowed to buy it.

 

[AdironRider]

Anyone who has been a reseller of goods deals with this all the time. Unless you are a major player, lots of brands don't like you selling their competitors in the same space.

This is especially prevalent in the ski/outdoor industry. If you are a ski shop good luck selling K2 or whatever if the shop next to you sells them already. The brand will refuse to sell to you wholesale and protect their current player in a given market.

 

[Harvey]

Here's the email from No Boundaries:

----

Dartmouth Skiway and Whaleback have been forced to leave the No Boundaries Pass

Here's the short version:
We've lowered the price of the No Boundaries Pass to $99. It now provides up to 3 days of skiing at each of our three partner mountains: Tenney, Mt. Abram, and Granite Gorge. Whaleback and Dartmouth Skiway were unexpectedly given an ultimatum by the Indy Pass and forced to leave the No Boundaries Pass. We're actively looking for new partner mountains to add before the season starts. Everyone who already purchased a pass was offered the lower price or a full refund.

Here's what happened:
We put the 23/24 No Boundaries Pass on sale just a few weeks ago. It provided between 1 and 3 days of skiing at each of our five partner mountains (Tenney, Mt. Abram, Granite Gorge, Whaleback and Dartmouth Skiway) for just $119. Apparently our product was viewed as a threat by the Indy Pass.

Both Whaleback and Dartmouth Skiway were on our pass last year, and we've worked with both of them in prior years as well. Last season, Indy Pass created their "Allied" resort program. Whaleback and Dartmouth Skiway joined that program. They were not part of the formal Indy Pass, but Indy Passholders were entitled to discounts on day tickets. This program and the No Boundaries Pass existed simultaneously last year without issues, and Whaleback and Dartmouth Skiway (which operate as non-profits) benefited by being aligned to both products.

Immediately after we put the No Boundaries Pass on sale this year, the folks at Indy Pass gave Whaleback and Dartmouth Skiway an ultimatum: Get off the No Boundaries Pass or we'll terminate your relationship with Indy Pass. We weren't directly involved in those conversations, but the management teams at Whaleback and Dartmouth Skiway told us they were shocked and frustrated that Indy Pass would put them in this position and they didn't believe it was right. There may have been other promises or threats made by the Indy Pass that we're not aware of.

Regardless, both mountains needed to do what's best for their businesses and we respect their decisions. It's tough to believe that the Indy Pass, an organization that claims to support independent mountains, would put two small non-profit ski areas in a position where they needed to give up a revenue stream. We'll always support and do what's best for our partner mountains, and we would welcome Whaleback and Dartmouth Skiway back with open arms at any time. We hope our members will still support them this season and in the future.

Ironically, the Indy Pass has been sold out since April. Even if you wanted to buy one right now to support Whaleback and Dartmouth Skiway, or any of their other independent resorts, you simply can't.

The No Boundaries Pass is on sale now at a special introductory price of $99. With your pass, you can still ski up to 9 days at three fantastic, independent ski areas: Tenney, Mt. Abram, and Granite Gorge. We're still hoping to add a new partner(s) for this season. The No Boundaries Pass has no black out dates, meaning you can ski any day of the season, but if you avoid peak days the pass rewards you with more skiing.

No Boundaries Passholders are entitled to either:
1 Saturday/holiday lift ticket, OR
1 Sunday and 1 weekday lift ticket, OR
3 weekday lift tickets
at EACH of our three partner mountains: Check out all the details on how the No Boundaries Pass works here.

We've been operating No Boundaries for a decade now. There have been many ups and downs and changes along the way. Our passion has always been to make skiing more accessible to our members, and to introduce you to some great ski areas along the way. We're sorry that the Indy Pass has gotten in the way of that.

 

[Edd]

Shit, I’m oddly tempted to spring for a No Boundaries pass.

 

[Cat in January]

Second year owning an Indy pass, but I don’t like the direction the new owner has taken it. I won’t have to make a decision until April or later, but if I had to make one today I would not renew based on these types of actions by the management of Indypass.

 

[jaytrem]

Second year owning an Indy pass, but I don’t like the direction the new owner has taken it. I won’t have to make a decision until April or later, but if I had to make one today I would not renew based on these types of actions by the management of Indypass.

Isn't there a refund policy if a ski area drops off? Since a couple Iowa places dumped them, refunds may be an option. Oops, too late, deadline was Sept 1st.

 

[2planks2coasts]

I emailed Dartmouth Skiway to express my disappointment that they would ditch two partners, one of which (Cooper) offered an actual, no added cost benefit for their passholders in favor of one partner that potentially might offer an added cost benefit for their passholders. IF Indy goes back on sale, their passholders can buy an add on.

 

[AdironRider]

You are seriously faulting Dartmouth here?

Cooper provides zero benefit financially and No Boundaries provided them barely any revenue. You would make the same decision if it was your business.