Indy Pass in California
Prices and access checked August 29, 2026 directly against each pass operator’s own site.
The Indy Pass gives two days at each of six independent California ski areas: Bear Valley, China Peak, Donner Ski Ranch, Dodge Ridge, Mountain High and Mt. Shasta Ski Park. Base launched at $349 and Indy+ at $399 for 2026-27. Both are gone.
If you missed it, the Cali Pass at $729 covers four of those six with unlimited access instead of two days.
Indy Pass resorts in California
Indy’s whole premise is independent hills — no Vail, no Alterra. In California that means six areas, mostly small, mostly family-run, and mostly a long way from the destination-resort experience. That is the point.
| Resort | Where | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Valley | Highway 4, Central Sierra | 2 days |
| China Peak | Highway 168 above Fresno | 2 days |
| Donner Ski Ranch | Donner Summit, off I-80 | 2 days |
| Dodge Ridge | Highway 108, Pinecrest | 2 days |
| Mountain High | Wrightwood, near Los Angeles | 2 days |
| Mt. Shasta Ski Park | McCloud, far northern CA | 2 days |
| Bear Valley Adventure Company | Highway 4 | 2 days, cross-country |
Not sure where these mountains actually are? All 28 California ski areas are plotted on the California ski resort map.
Nationally the network grew to 227 alpine areas for 2026-27, up from 219, with eight new partners. The California six are unchanged from last season.
What to buy instead
Cali Pass, $729 — the closest substitute
Covers Bear Valley, China Peak, Dodge Ridge and Mountain High unlimited rather than two days each, and adds three days at Sierra-at-Tahoe and Mt. Shasta. More than twice the price, but many times the days. Cali Pass guide →
A single-resort season pass plus Powder Alliance
Five of the six California Indy areas are also Powder Alliance members. Buy a full season pass at one and you get three free days at each of the others — which for a two-days-per-hill skier is better than Indy ever was. How it works →
Getting one next season
Indy has now sold out several years running, and each year earlier. Passes typically go on sale in March for the following winter at the lowest price of the year. If you want one for 2027-28, join the waitlist now and buy in the first week of sales rather than waiting for a deadline that will not come.
Indy Pass in California — frequently asked questions
Is the Indy Pass sold out for 2026-27?
Yes. Indy sold out for the 2026-27 season with a record waitlist. Joining the waitlist is the only route in if passes are released, and the Learn-to-Turn beginner pass at $189 had not yet gone on sale as of August 29, 2026.
Which California resorts are on the Indy Pass?
Six, all independents: Bear Valley, China Peak, Donner Ski Ranch, Dodge Ridge, Mountain High and Mt. Shasta Ski Park, plus Bear Valley Adventure Company for cross-country. Two days at each.
How much does the Indy Pass cost?
At launch for 2026-27, the Base pass was $349 and Indy+ was $399, with kids' passes at $249 and $229. Both sold out. Indy+ dropping to $399 narrowed the gap over Base to just $50, the smallest since Indy+ launched in 2020.
What is the difference between Indy Base and Indy+?
Blackout dates. Indy+ has none; Base does. For 2026-27 Indy stated blackout dates would be finalised in the fall of 2026, so the specifics were not published as of August 29.
What should I buy instead if Indy sold out?
The Cali Pass at $729 is the closest substitute: it covers four of the six California Indy resorts — Bear Valley, China Peak, Dodge Ridge and Mountain High — with unlimited access rather than two days each. Alternatively, buy a season pass directly from one of those resorts and use Powder Alliance reciprocity.
Once you have picked a pass
Find the mountains it covers, then somewhere to sleep near them.
California ski resort mapWhere to staySnow chainsGear guidesSnoCal is not affiliated with, and earns no commission from, any ski pass operator — none of them run affiliate programs. We do earn a commission on lodging and gear booked through links elsewhere on this site. Pass prices change on published deadlines; the figures above were verified on August 29, 2026 and are worth re-checking before you buy.