{"id":1811796,"date":"2026-03-06T21:06:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:06:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1811796"},"modified":"2026-03-06T21:06:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:06:52","slug":"indy-pass-responds-as-3-midwest-resorts-jump-to-ikon-we-hate-seeing-corporations-grab-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1811796","title":{"rendered":"Indy Pass Responds as 3 Midwest Resorts Jump to Ikon: \u201cWe Hate Seeing Corporations Grab More\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_267766\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-267766\" style=\"width: 1300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-267766 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGrAQMAAABqgLQIAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADhJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T+1tB6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADgDIcbAAEnbF1FAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lutsen-Mountains.jpeg?resize=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lutsen-Mountains.jpeg?w=1300&amp;ssl=1 1300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lutsen-Mountains.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lutsen-Mountains.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lutsen-Mountains.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lutsen-Mountains.jpeg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"427\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-267766\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Lutsen-Mountains.jpeg?resize=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-267766\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lutsen Mountains Ski &amp; Summer Resort, MN, is one of three former Indy Pass partnered ski areas that is switching to partner with the Ikon Pass next season. | Credit: Lutsen Mountains Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-2-32009301\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-2-32009301\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"2\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-1-71267220\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-1-71267220\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"1\"><\/div>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"1\"><strong>The battle between independent skiing and corporate consolidation reached a boiling point this morning as three major Midwest destinations\u2014Lutsen Mountains (MN), Granite Peak (WI), and Snowriver Mountain Resort (MI)\u2014officially exited the Indy Pass to join the Ikon Pass for the 2026-27 season. <\/strong>The move, announced by Alterra Mountain Company as part of Ikon\u2019s spring launch, was met with a sharp and candid response from Indy Pass Managing Director Erik Mogensen, who claimed his team only learned of the departure \u201csecond hand\u201d late last night.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5\"><strong>In a message addressed to Midwest passholders, Mogensen did not mince words regarding the shift toward the \u201cMega Pass\u201d ecosystem.<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote data-path-to-node=\"6\">\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6,0\">\u201cI hate seeing the corporations that have compromised the sport and culture of skiing grab more,\u201d Mogensen wrote, highlighting the stark price disparity between the two products.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7\"><strong>Mogensen noted that the Indy Base Pass starts at $349, while the Ikon Base Pass begins at $924.<\/strong> He further contrasted the top-tier products, pointing out that the Indy+ sits at $399 compared to Ikon\u2019s \u201cstaggering\u201d $1,349 price point.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9\"><strong>Recognizing that many Midwest skiers purchased the Indy Pass specifically for access to the departing resorts, Mogensen reiterated the pass\u2019s transparent refund policy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"10\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Eligibility:<\/b> Passholders may request a full refund for an unused pass if a favorite resort from the 2025-26 season does not renew for 2026-27.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Deadline:<\/b> The cut-off for these \u201cno questions asked\u201d refunds is December 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Support:<\/b> Mogensen emphasized that Indy\u2019s Colorado and New Hampshire-based support teams are available to assist affected skiers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"12\"><strong>Despite the loss of the Midwest Family Resorts trio, the Indy Pass remains defiant.<\/strong> While the pass previously jettisoned partner Buck Hill (MN) after it joined Ikon\u2019s two-day program last year, the tour currently boasts more than twice as many partners as Epic, Ikon, and Mountain Collective combined.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13\"><strong>Mogensen hinted that more growth is imminent, confirming that Indy Pass is currently \u201csitting on a significant amount of new resorts that have been contracted.\u201d<\/strong> Several of these <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/indy-pass-opens-pass-renewal-announces-12-new-resorts-for-2026-27-season\/\">new partners<\/a> are expected to be announced following the conclusion of the spring pass sale, with more reveals scheduled for the fall.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14\"><strong>\u201cWe all have a role to play in keeping skiing independent,\u201d Mogensen concluded.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-path-to-node=\"14\"><strong>Related: <\/strong><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/indy-pass-opens-pass-renewal-announces-12-new-resorts-for-2026-27-season\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" data-modified-href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/indy-pass-opens-pass-renewal-announces-12-new-resorts-for-2026-27-season\">Indy Pass Opens Pass Renewal &amp; Announces Reduced Price and 16 New Resorts for 2026-27 Season<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 2 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lutsen Mountains Ski &amp; Summer Resort, MN, is one of three former Indy Pass partnered ski areas that is switching to partner with the Ikon Pass next season. | Credit: Lutsen Mountains Facebook The battle between independent skiing and corporate consolidation reached a boiling point this morning as three major Midwest destinations\u2014Lutsen Mountains (MN), Granite [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1811796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1811796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1811796"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1811796\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1811796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1811796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1811796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}