Snow Ridge Ski Resort in upstate New York and Antelope Butte in Northern Wyoming has joined the Indy Pass for the 2020-21 season. With these additions New York now has four and Wyoming three Indy resorts giving skiers in those regions a great selection to choose from - for a total of 59 resorts across the country.

It may seem the only movers and shakers in the ski resort industry these days are the mega resorts, with hundreds of ski trails, multi-million dollar base lodges and well-connected regional season pass partnership deals. With the bright optics of these flashy resorts, it's easy to forget the “mom and pop” style ski areas are just as critical for the ski industry’s future.

With the growth of skiing into the 20th century, small ski hills used to dot the land, providing great accessibility and affordability for beginners looking to access downhill winter sports. Today, these “town” ski areas are a rarity with only a smattering left nationwide.

Wyoming, home to the Grand Teton Mountains and America's smallest population. Both these attributes bode well for skiers and snowboarders flocking to the state because after all who doesn’t love short lift lines, untouched powder and down-home service?

A nonprofit foundation has purchased the Antelope Butte ski and snowboard mountain in Wyoming and plans to reopen for business next season.