Three New Midwest Ski Resorts Added to the Ikon Pass

All Images: Courtesy of Midwest Family Ski Resorts

As someone who has never been to the Midwest, my brain always associates it with corn fields, cheese curds, and the Windy City; skiing, though, rarely crosses my mind. But in recent years, Midwest ski resorts have been on the upswing, specifically catering to park skiers. It makes sense. The Midwest has moderately sized hills that aren’t too steep, making it the perfect fit for a park. Compared to Western ski resorts, these park skiers even have an advantage, since they can make park laps back-to-back-to-back without waiting in the long lines that many Western ski resorts struggle with.

Also, many Midwest ski resorts are located along the Great Lakes, giving them a surprising amount of snow each season. But of course, like any environment, there are always positives and negatives. One of the biggest downsides of Midwest ski resorts is how much shorter the seasons are compared to out West, with seasons usually lasting about three months longer. 

While their terrain options also may be limited compared to the steep drops out West, skiers like Chris Laker (Ohio) and Jackson Karsteter (Indiana) have proven that Midwest skiers can throw down some pretty nasty tricks in the park. Nick Goepper proved that even a guy from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, can become an Olympic freeskier and a five-time X Games gold medalist.

Ikon Pass must’ve caught wind of this because they added three new Midwest destinations to their 2026/27 pass. The Ikon bonus pass allows up to 5 days at each Midwest location, and the full pass allows up to 7 days. So what do these new destinations have to offer? Let’s dive into it. 

Snowriver Mountain Resort, Michigan 

Nestled southwest of Lake Superior in the lush forests of Michigan is Snowriver Mountain Resort. The resort technically connects two mountains, Jackson Creek Summit and Black River Basin, creating 400 skiable acres and 60 trails. Being located so close to Lake Superior gives Snowriver the upper hand for snow in the Midwest. The winds coming off the lake blanket the resort with nearly 20 feet of snow each season, making it one of the most powdery ski resorts in the Midwest. The resort has a terrain park called Voyager Funpark, but is better known for its glade runs through dense maple and pine forests. The resort also offers lodging and multiple dining options on the mountain. So if you want the Midwest resort experience with some Lake Superior powder, Snowriver Mountain is the resort for you. 

Lutsen Mountain, Minnesota  

This resort is located across from Snowriver Mountain on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Located in the Sawtooth Mountains, it spans four peaks, each offering views of Lake Superior. The resort is the largest in the Midwest with 1,000 acres of skiable terrain and 95 runs. The resort also has the only gondola in the Midwest, making the mountain more efficient and accessible. Lusten also happens to be so far north that you might get lucky and see some northern lights at night. So if you want the views of Lake Superior with that Midwest ski town charm, head to Lutsen Mountain this next winter. 

Granite Peak, Wisconsin 

This is the Midwest ski resort for park skiers. Granite Peak has the largest terrain park in the Midwest with three different parks, 35 rails and other features, and 15 jumps. Their parks are divided into small, medium, and large parks, with difficulty increasing from small to large. The small park, called Grom Park, is designed for beginner park riders, with three small jumps, a low rail, and box features. Upper Duskey is the resort's medium park, featuring two medium jumps and a combination of bonk, rail, and box features.

The medium park leads down to the main park, which is split into two: Aspen and Sky High. This park is home to the resort's largest jumps and features, including a flow course, four medium jumps and a series of bonk, rail and box features. The resort doesn’t limit all the fun to just the daytime. One can ride park laps from opening to closing at night. The resort also offers much more than just the terrain park. With 200 skiable acres and 65 trails, there are options for those who don’t like to dip their toes into the park. But if you are a park enthusiast, then you might want to come check out what Granite has to offer and see where all the Midwest park freeskiers are coming from.