Updated for the 2025 Ikon Pass Season — Explore the Best of the Midwest and East in Your DM Vans Camper Van
Our #vanlife travel guide series continues with the 2025 Ikon Pass Midwest and East. This week, we’re driving over 1,750 miles through nine states to visit eleven ski resorts on the Ikon Pass east of the Mississippi. Get ready for a classic East Coast road trip full of small-town charm and big-mountain stoke!
For more in-depth information on winterizing your camper van, visit DM Vans, where we specialize in high-quality camper vans at affordable prices—ideal for handling winter conditions, all backed by exceptional service. Over 600 satisfied DM Vans owners have already skipped the dealership markup and saved 30% or more on their custom van builds.
Learn more about our Lifestyle Vehicles® at DMVans.com.
Why Travel with a Van and an Ikon Pass in 2025?
• Maximum Flexibility: You control your schedule and can chase the best snow conditions without worrying about lodging availability.
• Cost Efficiency: Staying in your DM Vans build keeps trip expenses down—no pricey hotel rates.
• Four-Season Capability: DM Vans are designed with no black tanks or external water lines, ensuring you have running water all winter long.
Below, we outline eleven 2025 Ikon Pass resorts east of the Mississippi, complete with terrain stats, local tips, and van-friendly camping suggestions. Buckle up for a memorable road trip.
1) The Highlands at Harbor Springs
Nearest City or Town: Traverse City, MI
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 435
Average Annual Snowfall: 140 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Not specified (check with The Highlands directly for 2025 updates).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Topinabee Rest Area
• Odawa Casino
• French Farm Lakes
• Tannery Creek Trailhead
Pro Tips
• Formerly known as Boyne Highlands, The Highlands features Michigan’s longest ski run and boasts more skiable acres than anywhere else in lower Michigan.
• Rated fifth for beginner terrain in North America and second for family-friendly terrain in Michigan.
• Offers night skiing, ski and board lessons, and cross-country skiing.
• Après fun at the Zoo Bar, known for its lively vibe and live music.
Van-Friendly Note: DM Vans’ minimal moving parts and high-quality hardware mean fewer repairs in cold conditions—perfect for multiple resort stops.
From The Highlands, it’s a quick half-hour drive south along Little Traverse Bay to…
2) Boyne Mountain Resort
Nearest City or Town: Traverse City, MI
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 500
Average Annual Snowfall: 140 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Not specified (confirm with Boyne Mountain for 2025).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Topinabee Rest Area
• Odawa Casino
• French Farm Lakes
• Tannery Creek Trailhead
Pro Tips
• Opened in 1948 with a single chairlift, now featuring 12 lifts and 60 trails.
• Offers sno-go biking, fat tire biking, zip lining, tubing, and more.
• For après, try The Back Forty with cozy heated igloos for an outdoor dining experience.
Van-Friendly Note: If you own a Lifestyle Vehicle® from DM Vans, consider using remote troubleshooting if minor issues arise. Our minimalist designs often let you solve problems over the phone, keeping you on schedule.
From Boyne Mountain, it’s about 11.5 hours to the next destination. Break up the drive by stopping in Ann Arbor, Toledo, Cleveland, or Pittsburgh on your way to…
3) Snowshoe Mountain
Nearest City or Town: Harrisonburg, VA (actual resort is in WV; confirm final route)
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 257
Average Annual Snowfall: 180 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Not specified (check 2025 resort guidelines).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Becky’s Creek Camping Area
• Shaver’s Fork
• Monongahela National Forest
• Buffalo Lake
• Greenbrier River
Pro Tips
• Largest ski resort in the mid-Atlantic, featuring 30% beginner, 24% intermediate, 31% advanced/expert, and 15% freestyle/glade terrain.
• Sawmill, Sawmill Glades, Camp 99, and Widowmaker offer challenging runs.
• For après, check out Junction Ale House and Saloon.
Van-Friendly Note: With a DM Vans build, you’ll have four-season water access—no black tanks or exterior water lines to freeze. Ideal for a West Virginia cold snap.
From Snowshoe, it’s about 9.5 hours to our next destination. Travel north through the Appalachian Mountains, or consider a detour via Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, or NYC. Your next stop…
4) Windham Mountain
Nearest City or Town: Albany, NY
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 732
Average Annual Snowfall: 100 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Not specified (contact the resort or local authorities for 2025 rules).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Blackhead Trailhead
• Hunter Mountain
• Park and Ride Lots (various)
Pro Tips
• Located in the northern Catskills, a short drive from Albany.
• Home to the Umbrella Bar, a European-inspired glass rotunda with 360-degree mountain views—perfect for early après.
• Check out the Van Life Travel Guide to the Hudson Valley for more local tips.
From Windham, it’s 2.5 hours to the next resort, passing Albany for any last-minute supplies as you head into New England…
5) Stratton
Nearest City or Town: Manchester, VT
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 670
Average Annual Snowfall: 180 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Not specified (verify for 2025).
Alternate Camping Options:
• National Forest Road 71
• Vermont Distillers lot (if allowed)
• Stealth Camping as needed
Pro Tips
• Birthplace of East Coast snowboarding and ranked in the top five terrain parks in the country.
• 11 lifts servicing 99 trails with panoramic views of Green Mountain National Forest.
• Hike to the 70-foot fire tower at the summit on the Appalachian Trail.
• For après, check out Green Door Pub for games and live music.
One hour north through scenic Vermont brings you to…
6) Killington Mountain Resort
Nearest City or Town: Rutland, VT
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 1,977
Average Annual Snowfall: 250 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Yes, max two nights per week in the Skyship Lot (check updated 2025 rules here).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Walmart in Lebanon
• Killington Village
• Woodstock Public Parking
Pro Tips
• Nicknamed “The Beast”, it’s the largest ski resort in the Eastern U.S.
• Terrain ranges from beginner groomers to advanced steeps and glades.
• Try snowmobile tours with Snowmobile Vermont.
• For après, head to The Wobbly Barn, a steakhouse/nightclub built from repurposed New England barn timber.
A quick 10-minute drive brings you to…
7) Pico Mountain Resort
Nearest City or Town: Rutland, VT
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 468
Average Annual Snowfall: 250 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Not specified (check 2025 guidelines).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Walmart in Lebanon
• Killington Village
• Woodstock Public Parking
• Killington’s Skyship Lot (verify Pico-specific rules)
Pro Tips
• Located next door to Killington, offering classic New England steeps and rolling beginner terrain.
• Uphill travel is permitted on five routes (armband required).
• Après is limited to Last Run Lounge, but Killington’s nightlife is just minutes away.
An hour drive north through Vermont’s Green Mountains takes you to…
8) Sugarbush Resort
Nearest City or Town: Montpelier, VT
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 581
Average Annual Snowfall: 250 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Not specified (verify for 2025).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Heart of the Valley Trail
• Berlin Mall (Walmart)
• Mad River area pull-offs
Pro Tips
• Two mountains (Mt. Ellen and Lincoln Peak) connected by a lift and Slide Brook side country.
• Castlerock lift offers challenging expert terrain.
• Don’t miss Lawson’s Finest Liquids for top-tier local craft brews.
• Experience quintessential Vermont skiing in the Mad River Valley.
A 2.5-hour drive east, crossing the Connecticut River, leads to…
9) Loon Mountain
Nearest City or Town: Concord, NH
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 370
Average Annual Snowfall: 160 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? No (call ahead in case of 2025 policy changes).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Flume Gorge Trailhead
• Elbow Pond
Pro Tips
• Just two hours north of Boston, making it one of the most accessible big mountains in New England.
• Rated #1 for expert terrain in Vermont (Loon is in NH, but recognized regionally), yet highly family-friendly.
• Eight tree-skiing areas, a super pipe, and a half pipe.
• Lift-served snow tubing available on Little Sister Trail.
• For après, hit Babe’s Blue Ox Lounge or the Paul Bunyan Room.
An hour and a half northeast takes you through White Mountain National Forest—past Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast—on the way to…
10) Sunday River
Nearest City or Town: Augusta, ME
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 870
Average Annual Snowfall: 167 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Allowed in Parking Lot 5, though sleeping in your vehicle is technically prohibited (policies can change; confirm for 2025).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Stony Brook Recreation
• Newry Open Dirt Lot
Pro Tips
• Spans three miles over eight separate peaks, with a nice balance of beginner, intermediate, and expert terrain.
• White Heat on White Cap is a must for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
• Offers night skiing and a lively après scene at Matterhorn Ski Bar (live music and good eats).
Finally, a two-hour drive north leads you to the Carrabassett Valley and…
11) Sugarloaf
Nearest City or Town: Farmington, ME
Acres of Skiable Terrain: 1,230
Average Annual Snowfall: 200 inches
Overnight Parking Allowed? Yes, in the West Mountain/Golf Course Lot (check here for 2025 updates).
Alternate Camping Options:
• Sugarloaf Outdoor Center
• River Rest Area
• Scenic Pull-Offs
Pro Tips
• Second-largest ski area east of the Mississippi, and the only resort with lift-serviced skiing above treeline on the East Coast.
• A 2,800-foot vertical drop from the summit; check out the 43 miles of cross-country and fat biking trails if you need a break from downhill.
• The Bag & Kettle is legendary for the “Bag Burger” and local brews—perfect for your final après.
Van Life & Ikon: A Perfect Pair for 2025
• Van Travel Flexibility: Skip rigid lodging reservations; park in designated overnight lots or explore stealth camping spots.
• Snow-Ready Builds: DM Vans are engineered for four-season travel—no black tanks or external water lines to winterize.
• Community of Adventurers: When you stop at these resorts, you’ll meet fellow van lifers and slope enthusiasts who share your passion.
East Coast Epic Pass holders, stay tuned for our upcoming guide to all the 2025 Epic Pass resorts in the Midwest and East.
Final Tips for a Great 2025 Season
1. Check Resort Overnight Rules: Policies change yearly. Always confirm current regulations for parking and camping.
2. Follow Local Weather: East Coast storms can be fierce. Plan your travel days around major snowfall events for safer roads and more powder.
3. Use a Dedicated Camper Van: A Lifestyle Vehicle® from DM Vans provides comfort, reliability, and user-friendly operation—perfect for epic winter road trips.
4. Plan Extra Time: This itinerary can be done in about two weeks, but you’ll likely want to linger in some spots.
Ready to Hit the Road?
Traveling with a 2025 Ikon Pass in a DM Vans build is the ultimate East Coast road trip—packed with powder days, local charm, and scenic drives. If you’re ready to embrace the adventure, check out our van offerings at DMVans.com and join the ranks of 600+ owners who saved 30% by skipping traditional dealerships.
Learn more about our award-winning Lifestyle Vehicles at DMVans.com.
A Better Journey Awaits.
Disclaimer: Parking, camping, and resort policies can change. Always check official resort websites or call ahead for the latest 2025 information. This guide is for reference only.