Jia Lissa
By Ski Industry Desk
Updated September 8, 2026
Main Facts
In a landmark shift for New England’s winter sports landscape, Vermont’s fiercely independent Smugglers’ Notch Resort has announced a partnership with the Indy Pass for the upcoming 2026–’27 ski and snowboard season.
Long celebrated for charting its own course entirely outside the corporate multi-resort pass conglomerates, Smuggs will now welcome Indy Pass holders to its legendary slopes. Under the terms of the new agreement, passholders receive two days of lift access to the resort, followed by a third day at a 25 percent discount. Crucially for travelers looking to plan winter getaways, these redemptions come with no blackout dates. However, there is a catch designed to protect the mountain’s famous uncrowded atmosphere: advanced reservations will be strictly required.
This integration bridges one of the most prominent independent ski areas in the United States with the rapidly expanding Indy Pass network. Spanning over 1,000 acres of skiable terrain across Madonna and Sterling mountains in northern Vermont, Smugglers’ Notch offers everything from heart-pounding glades and steep tree runs to family-friendly cruising. Until now, experiencing this storied terrain meant purchasing a standalone resort day ticket or an exclusive Smuggs season pass.
For skiers and riders holding the Indy Pass, accessing Vermont’s premier family resort has never been easier—or more affordable—though the mandatory reservation system ensures that the mountain’s signature low-density experience remains intact.
Chronology
To understand the weight of this announcement, one must look at the historical timeline of both Smugglers’ Notch and the modern multi-pass phenomenon.
- Decades Past (The Independent Era): While corporate mega-passes like the Epic and Ikon passes consolidated vast portfolios of major ski resorts across North America, Smugglers’ Notch steadfastly maintained its standalone status. It cultivated a fiercely loyal generational following, relying on its own ticketing structures and operational philosophy.
- Late 2010s to Early 2020s (The Rise of Indy Pass): Founded to offer an alternative to the mega-pass ecosystem, the Indy Pass rapidly expanded by banding together independent ski areas across North America and beyond. It provided a cooperative safety net and marketing vehicle for smaller, family-owned hills and select larger independents.
- Early 2026 (Strategic Conversations): Discussions between Indy Pass leadership and Smugglers’ Notch executives began to take shape. For Indy Pass Director Erik Mogensen—who famously grew up skiing the very trails of Smuggs—securing the resort was a personal and professional milestone.
- September 8, 2026 (Official Announcement): Smugglers’ Notch and Indy Pass jointly broke the news to the ski world. For the 2026–’27 season, Indy Pass holders gained the newly minted two-plus-one ski package, officially integrating northern Vermont’s crown jewel of independence into the collaborative fold.
Supporting Data
The partnership brings together notable metrics, geographic advantages, and pricing structures that define the modern ski travel landscape:
- Terrain Overview: Smugglers’ Notch boasts more than 1,000 acres of skiable terrain, distributed primarily across two distinct peaks: Madonna Mountain and Sterling Mountain.
- The Access Deal:
- 2 Days: Full lift access for Indy Pass holders.
- 1 Day at 75% Price: A third day available at a 25 percent discount.
- Blackout Dates: None.
- Restrictions: Mandatory advance reservations.
- Geographic Hub Potential: Smuggs serves as an ideal base camp for a northern Vermont ski road trip. Within roughly a two-hour driving radius, passholders can access more than a dozen other Indy-affiliated alpine and Nordic ski areas.
- Indy Pass 2026–’27 Pricing Structure:
- Indy Base Pass: Starting at $419.
- Indy+ Pass (No Blackouts): Starting at $469.
- Indy Add-On Pass (For resort season pass holders): Starting at $369.
Official Responses
The announcement has elicited enthusiasm from both resort leadership and the architects of the Indy Pass network, emphasizing a shared philosophy of independent mountain stewardship.
Smugglers’ Notch General Manager Brandon Swartz highlighted that the partnership is carefully calibrated to introduce new guests to the resort without altering its historic character.
“Indy Pass gives us an opportunity to invite a new group of skiers and riders to come experience Smuggs for themselves,” Swartz said in a press release. “Smuggs, Bear Den, and Indy share a commitment to independent mountains, families, affordability, and protecting the character of the skiing and riding experience.”
For Indy Pass Director Erik Mogensen, welcoming Smuggs into the fold represents a homecoming of sorts. Having grown up carving turns down the resort’s challenging trails, Mogensen views the partnership as proof that independent destinations can scale their marketing reach without sacrificing their soul.
“Smuggs is a world-class ski destination that has always belonged in the Indy Pass family,” Mogensen noted.
Industry observers have noted the symbiosis of the deal: Smuggs retains absolute control over its daily skier volume via reservations, while the Indy Pass gains a premier, household-name destination that dramatically strengthens its appeal in the competitive Northeast ski market.
Implications
The alliance between Smugglers’ Notch and the Indy Pass carries far-reaching implications for winter travelers, regional competitors, and the broader ski industry.
1. A Blueprint for Controlled Growth
In an era where ski resorts frequently face public backlash over overcrowded parking lots, gridlocked lift lines, and sold-out parking reservations, Smugglers’ Notch is taking a proactive approach. By pairing its Indy Pass debut with a strict reservation policy, the resort is honoring its long-standing "Comfortable Carrying Capacity" philosophy. This metric ensures that infrastructure, trail capacity, and guest comfort remain balanced. If successful, this model could serve as a template for other large independent resorts hesitant to join multi-pass networks out of fear of overcrowding.
2. Shifting Dynamics in the Northeast Ski Market
For decades, skiers in the Northeast faced a stark choice: buy into corporate mega-pass networks (which dominate neighboring resorts in Vermont and New Hampshire) or pay à la carte for independent mountains. By bringing Smuggs into the Indy ecosystem—alongside neighboring independent allies within a two-hour radius—the Indy Pass transforms northern Vermont into a powerhouse destination for independent passholders. Skiers can now build multi-day itineraries that blend major independent terrain with hidden gems, all under a single pass umbrella.
3. Strengthening the Independent Coalition
As corporate consolidation continues to reshape the ski industry—with conglomerates acquiring regional hills and standardizing guest experiences—independent ski areas face mounting pressure to stay competitive. Partnerships like this one demonstrate that independent mountains can pool their resources and marketing strength to offer consumers a viable, diverse alternative to the mega-pass model.
For the everyday skier, the takeaway is clear: one of Vermont’s most treasured, independent mountain experiences is now more accessible than ever, provided you plan ahead, secure your reservations early, and respect the traditions that have kept Smugglers’ Notch unique for generations.
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