Industry News
Passholders can access up to eight days in one of the world’s most renowned powder regions
The Indy Pass is expanding beyond North America with the addition of four Northern Japanese resorts: Geto Kogan, Tazawako, Okunakayama Kogen, and Shimokura/Panorama. Indy Pass holders receive up to eight free days of unforgettable skiing and riding on some of the best powder in the world. Local experts from Japan Ski Tours will provide optional guide and concierge services in an exclusive partnership with Indy Pass.
- Related: Family Ski Weekends for Under $600? The Indy Pass Costs a Fraction of What the Big Resorts Charge
A constant barrage of winter storms powering across the Sea of Japan slams into the Tohoku region’s mountainous powder belt and deposits 40-60 feet of smoke-like, “Japow” every winter. The region is brimming with cat skiing, backcountry skiing, tree skiing, and bountiful side-country in addition to temples, traditions, authentic accommodations, and hot springs that offer a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Powder skiing in Japan is not for everyone but by adding these beautiful, independent resorts and culturally rich region to the Indy Pass, we give people something to dream about. As the great Warren Miller often said, ‘If you don’t do it this year, you’ll be another year older when you do.”
– Indy Pass founder Doug Fish
“At Japan Ski Tours we’ve been specializing in off-the-beaten-track ski experiences for seven years and can provide everything from all-inclusive guided trips to white-glove airport-to-airport service to ensure that your dream ski vacation goes off without a hitch”
– Brent Potter, mountain guide and co-owner of Japan Ski Tours
Win a Japow Dream Trip!
While not everyone can afford a ski vacation in Japan, anyone 18 years or older can enter to win a ski vacation of a lifetime as Indy Pass and Japan Ski Tours are giving away a dream trip for two. The prize includes a seven-day, all-expense-paid trip for two including round trip airfare, transportation, lodging, meals, two pair of Atomic Bent Chetler skis, and two Indy Passes. Enter to win and find contest details at indyskipass.com.
About the Resorts
Geto Kogen ski resort consistently ranks amongst Japan’s top snowfall regions, receiving an estimated 50 feet per season! Still relatively unknown in the Japow world, Geto Kogen offers an authentic Japanese ski experience, with frequent powder resets. Geto Kogen summed up: Consistently deep pow, with little competition for the freshies!
Tazawako is a site of the Annual FIS Freestyle Ski Worldcup Competition and has a bit of everything—high-speed lifts, good piste options, side-country, backcountry, and a variety of terrain for all skier types. Located on the West side of the mountain range, this side is more exposed to the storms coming off the Sea of Japan and receives an abundance of snow.
Okunakayama Kogen is a town-owned ski resort that feels like a private ski resort on weekdays, where rivalry for fresh powder is approximately zero. This mountain is a protected east-facing bowl with four ski lifts and two traditional Onsen hot springs at the base. The facilities feature basic Japanese cuisine and authentic accommodation options.
Shimokura/Panorama is a local gem of the Hachimantai powder belt. This protected east-facing bowl gets positively dumped with high-quality super light snow. This small resort consists of just three lifts, but the tree skiing and backcountry options will have you playing on the mountain all day. A lift ticket here can also be used at the beginner-friendly Panorama resort which is connected by a 10-minute shuttle ride.
Early-Bird Pricing Ends August 31
- Indy Pass – Adult $279, Kids 12-and-under $119
- Indy+ – Adult $379, Kids $169 (no blackouts)
- Indy AddOn – Adult $189, Kids $89 (for season passholders at partner resorts)
- Indy+ AddOn – Adult $289, Kids $139
21-22 Participating Resorts
Western Region – 28
- ALASKA — Eaglecrest Ski Area
- ALBERTA — Castle Mountain Resort, Ski Marmot Basin
- ARIZONA — Sunrise Park Ski Area
- BRITISH COLUMBIA — Apex Mountain Resort, Sasquatch Mountain
- CALIFORNIA — China Peak, Mt. Shasta Ski Park, Snow Valley
- IDAHO — Brundage Mountain, Silver Mountain, Tamarack Resort, Pomerelle, Soldier Mountain
- OREGON – Hoodoo, Mt. Ashland
- MONTANA — Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Red Lodge Mountain
- UTAH — Beaver Mountain, Eagle Point, Powder Mountain
- WASHINGTON — 49 Degrees North, Hurricane Ridge, Mission Ridge, White Pass
- WYOMING — Snow King Mountain, White Pine Ski Area, Antelope Butte
Midwest Region – 18
- IOWA — Sundown Mountain
- MICHIGAN — Big Powderhorn Resort, Caberfae Peaks, Crystal Mountain, Pine Mountain Resort, Shanty Creek, Swiss Valley Ski Area
- MINNESOTA — Lutsen Mountains, Spirit Mountain, Powder Ridge Winter Recreation, Detroit Mountain, Buck Hill
- SOUTH DAKOTA — Terry Peak Ski Area
- WISCONSIN — Granite Peak, Little Switzerland, Nordic Mountain, Trollhaugen, Tyrol Basin
Eastern Region – 26
- CONNECTICUT — Mohawk Mountain Ski Area
- MASSACHUSETTS — Berkshire East Mountain Resort, Catamount Mountain Resort*
- MAINE — Saddleback Mountain
- NEW HAMPSHIRE — Cannon Mountain, Pats Peak, Black Mountain, Waterville Valley
- NEW YORK — Catamount Mountain Resort*, Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Swain Resort, Snow Ridge Ski Resort, Titus Mountain, West Mountain
- NORTH CAROLINA — Cataloochee Ski Area
- PENNSYLVANIA — Blue Knob Resort, Montage Mountain, Shawnee Mountain
- TENNESSEE — Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area
- VERMONT — Bolton Valley Resort, Magic Mountain, Suicide Six, Jay Peak Resort
- VIRGINIA — Bryce Resort, Massanutten Resort
- WEST VIRGINIA — Canaan Valley Ski Resort, Winterplace Ski Resort
- *Catamount straddles NY/MA border
Japan Tohoku Region – 4
- Okunakayama Kogen – Ninohe District, Iwate
- Geto Kogen – Kitakami, Iwate
- Shimokura/Pandora – Hachimantai, Iwate
- Tazawako – Semboku, Akita
About Indy Pass
Entering its third season the Indy Pass is the fastest-growing multi-mountain pass in the world. It offers 76 resorts across the US, Canada, and Japan, each providing two days of skiing or riding for an affordable price. Indy Pass resorts are independent and uniquely authentic, and many are owned and operated by multi-generational families.
