Mount Bohemia Season Pass 2022-2023: A Review
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Yeah, I know it's the end of January, a full 2 months after Mount Bohemia wrapped up their season pass sale. You can't buy one now and the season's about half over. I'm way late to the game for this year, but I'm mainly publishing this as a reference for comparison when we do this review in future years. This is not a promotion for Bohemia, just a neutral analysis of the value of the pass.
Overview
Buying a Boho season pass is almost an obligation if you live in the western Upper Peninsula, northern Wisconsin, or Duluth. It's a no-brainer if you're going to be in the Keweenaw for more than like one ski day in a given winter, and might be worth it even if you never set foot in the UP. Why is that? They've partnered with an ever-growing number of indie resorts throughout the Midwest and beyond to offer a a number of discounts and deals.
I'm going as far as to call it the Epic Pass of the Great Lakes.
The Mount Bohemia Season Pass Sale ran from November 23 - December 3, 2022. For this year, they offered:
- $109 pass for 7 days a week, no blackouts
- $99 pass for 6 days a week, excluding Saturdays
- $172 two-year rollover pass for 7 days a week, no blackouts
- $1,299 lifetime pass for 7 days a week, no blackouts
These do not include various fees which total about $35 or more, depending on the pass, but they do include year-round access to the Nordic Spa. No transfers or refunds.
(mlive.com)
The Season Pass
If you're not familiar, Mount Bohemia is located near the tip of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, right south of Copper Harbor and about an hour north of Houghton. This chunk of land is in the middle of Lake Superior and sees about 200"+ of snow annually, depending on location. This being the case, Bohemia does not make snow nor groom, offering a lift-served backcountry experience unlike any other in the Midwest, and few others in the continent.
In my personal experience, this practice has led to extremely hit or miss skiing, which is fine, as long as you know what you're getting into. If you hit the mountain on a powder day, it is unlike anything you'll see elsewhere, with giant drops, tightly bunched trees, and extremely steep terrain in many areas. It's also so much snow it's hard to go wrong. That said, if it's late in the season, or there hasn't been significant (12"+) fresh snow in the past couple days, it has a tendency to get super tracked out and turn into moguls. In the worst scenarios, those moguls ice over and it can be straight up scary making your way down. Go on a powder day, and get there early.
You won't find a lodge or a chalet here, more of a basecamp: Bohemia features a few connected and standalone yurts, a cabin, and an outdoor pool/hot tub. The bar is small and a bloody mary will run you about $10 last I checked. Be prepared to pay with a card. They also offer wood-fired pizza, which is certainly an option. There really aren't any restaurants or bars nearby (now that the Bear Belly closed) until you reach Copper Harbor or Calumet, a 15+ minute drive either way. But the basecamp here has an old school flair, which is awesome. Take advantage of it- bring a keg and a grill, rent out a yurt, sleep in your RV, nobody really cares too much. That's about it- I'm going to save a more comprehensive review of Bohemia for another post.
This brings us to the other mountains and hills on the pass.
In my personal experience, this practice has led to extremely hit or miss skiing, which is fine, as long as you know what you're getting into. If you hit the mountain on a powder day, it is unlike anything you'll see elsewhere, with giant drops, tightly bunched trees, and extremely steep terrain in many areas. It's also so much snow it's hard to go wrong. That said, if it's late in the season, or there hasn't been significant (12"+) fresh snow in the past couple days, it has a tendency to get super tracked out and turn into moguls. In the worst scenarios, those moguls ice over and it can be straight up scary making your way down. Go on a powder day, and get there early.
You won't find a lodge or a chalet here, more of a basecamp: Bohemia features a few connected and standalone yurts, a cabin, and an outdoor pool/hot tub. The bar is small and a bloody mary will run you about $10 last I checked. Be prepared to pay with a card. They also offer wood-fired pizza, which is certainly an option. There really aren't any restaurants or bars nearby (now that the Bear Belly closed) until you reach Copper Harbor or Calumet, a 15+ minute drive either way. But the basecamp here has an old school flair, which is awesome. Take advantage of it- bring a keg and a grill, rent out a yurt, sleep in your RV, nobody really cares too much. That's about it- I'm going to save a more comprehensive review of Bohemia for another post.
This brings us to the other mountains and hills on the pass.
Yes, this non-copyright infringing Google Maps screenshot is shitty, and no, we don't care. Black dots represent locations covered by the 2022-23 Boho pass.
Let's lay it out, [in no particular order, it would appear, from Boho's website]:
1. The Porkies, Ontonagon, MI
Mount Bohemia season pass holders will get 2 free days at The Porkies with no blackout dates.
2. Ski Brule, Iron River, MI
Mount Bohemia season pass holders will get 1 free day at Ski Brule.
Good 7 days a week in January and April. Good Sunday – Friday in February and March. Blackout days December 24 thru January 2.
3. Caberfae Peaks, Cadillac, MI
Mount Bohemia season pass holders get free skiing & riding midweek in March at Caberfae Peaks in Cadillac, Michigan, when staying at the slope-side MacKenzie Lodge.
No minimum night stay. Valid March 1-2, 5-9, 12-16, 24-25.
Free lift tickets are valid from the day of arrival through the day of departure. (Stay 1 night and get 2 days of skiing, stay 2 nights and get 3 days of skiing, etc.)
4. Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville, MI
Mount Bohemia season passholders will receive two complimentary open-to-close Midweek lift tickets (Monday – Thursday) with the following blackout dates: 12/25/2022 – 01/02/2023.
Tickets must be redeemed and used by the passholder only. One ticket may be redeemed per day.
5. Treetops Resort, Gaylord, MI
Mount Bohemia season pass holders will get 1 free day at Treetops Resort.
6. Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort, Wenatchee, WA
Three (3) free days during the 2022/23 winter season. Must show valid pass at the ticket window to redeem complimentary tickets. Limited to one (1) ticket per day. Ticket issued to the pass holder only.
Both areas must be in full operation for the offer to be valid. Not valid during the following blackout dates: 12/26/22-1/1/23; 1/14/23-1/16/23; 2/18/23-2/20/23. Advance reservations may be required and the number of reservations available my be limited by day. Washington and Oregon residents not eligible for free days at Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort.
7. Whitecap Mountain, Upson, WI
One (1) free day during the 2022/23 winter season. Must show valid pass at the ticket window to redeem complimentary tickets. Limited to one (1) ticket per day. Ticket issued to the pass holder only.
8. Snowstar Mountain, Andalusia, IL
One (1) free day during the 2022/23 winter season. Must show valid pass at the ticket window to redeem complimentary tickets. Limited to one (1) ticket per day. Ticket issued to the pass holder only.
9. Brundage Mountain Resort, McCall, ID
1 complimentary day lift ticket
No Idaho, Oregon, or Washington residents may redeem. Blackout dates: 12/26/2022-1/1/2023, 1/14-16/2023, and 2/18-20/2023.
10. Giants Ridge, Biwabik, MN
Two complimentary days of skiing valid Monday – Thursday beginning January 2, 2023 until the end of the 2022-23 ski season.
Passholders must present their 2022/23 season pass and photo ID at the ticket window.
11. Spirit Mountain, Duluth, MN
1 complimentary day lift ticket.
Passholders must present their 2022/23 season pass and photo ID at the ticket window.
12. Great Divide Ski Area, Marysville, MT
Three full days of free lift tickets to Mount Bohemia season pass holders.
Lift tickets will only be issued to the pass holder using a photo ID and copy of season pass receipt and are limited to one ticket per day. Washington, Montana, and Idaho residents will not qualify for free days at Great Divide.
13. Lee Canyon Ski Area, Charleston, NV
Three full days of free lift tickets to Mount Bohemia season pass holders.
Lift tickets will only be issued to the pass holder using a photo ID and copy of season pass receipt and are limited to one ticket per day. Nevada residents will not qualify for free days at Lee Canyon.
14. Pine Creek Ski Resort, Cokeville, WY
Three full days of free lift tickets to Mount Bohemia season pass holders.
Lift tickets will only be issued to the pass holder using a photo ID and copy of season pass receipt and are limited to one ticket per day. Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Utah residents do not qualify for the free days at Pine Creek if they have a BOHO pass.
15. White Pine Ski Resort, Pinedale, WY
Three full days of free lift tickets to Mount Bohemia season pass holders.
Lift tickets will only be issued to the pass holder using a photo ID and copy of season pass receipt and are limited to one ticket per day. Wyoming and Idaho residents not eligible for free tickets.
16. Sleeping Giant Ski Area, Cody, WY
Three full days of free lift tickets to Mount Bohemia season pass holders.
Lift tickets will only be issued to the pass holder using a photo ID and copy of season pass receipt and are limited to one ticket per day. Wyoming and Idaho residents not eligible for free tickets.
17. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Mead, WA
Three full days of free lift tickets to Mount Bohemia season pass holders.
Lift tickets will only be issued to the pass holder using a photo ID and copy of season pass receipt and are limited to one ticket per day. Washington and Oregon residents not eligible for free tickets.
18. Eaglecrest Ski Area, Juneau, AK
Three (3) single day lift tickets to Mount Bohemia season pass holders.
Offer valid only for UNLIMITED or FULL-TIME season pass holders. Weekday only or otherwise limited passes will not be valid. Lift tickets will only be issued to the pass holder and are not transferrable. Alaska residents not eligible for free tickets.
19. Eagle Point Resort, Beaver, UT
Three full days of free lift tickets to Mount Bohemia season pass holders.
Lift tickets will only be issued to the pass holder using a photo ID and copy of season pass receipt and are limited to one ticket per day. Utah residents not eligible for free tickets.
20. Hurricane Ridge, Port Angeles, WA
Mount Bohemia pass holders will receive 2 full day lift tickets upon presentation of their 2022/2023 Winter Season Pass.
No Washington state residents eligible for free days at Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area.
21. Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, Kind of Near Boise, ID
Three (3) Full (open-close) free lift tickets (blackout dates include 11/24 – 27/2022, 12/26 – 30/2022, 1/14 – 15/2023, 2/18 – 19/2023) and One (1) Full day of lift serviced mountain biking (blackout dates include 7/2 – 4/2022, 9/3 – 5/2022)
Lift tickets will only be issued to the pass holder using a photo ID and copy of season pass receipt and are limited to one ticket per day. Idaho and Montana residents not eligible for free tickets.
(powder.com)
Conclusion
I'm going to hold back commentary on the quality of the mountains/hills listed, mainly because I have only skied a handful of them. However, as it's known, quantity is a quality all its own, and 21 resorts plus Bohemia is a lot of value for roughly $100. But value to whom?
My people, a single day lift ticket at Spirit Mountain, covered here, runs you $76 as of right now. For just $50 or so more, including fees, you have access to everything else on this list. If you live in the Third Coast region, especially near any of these resorts, you can crunch the numbers. I think it makes sense if you're skiing more than like a single day a year. It's a slam dunk for Midwesterners even if you don't intend to set foot in the UP. The density of resorts in the upper Midwest is pretty excellent, and you should be able to hit a few of them within a weekend, even if your winter plans don't include a trip out west.
This all explains why Bohemia sells roughly 10,000 of these passes annually. Do most people make the long journey north more than once? Probably not, and I'm thankful that's the case because overcrowding quickly becomes a big issue. If you're further away, even if you're near other resorts on this list, it might be too weird or inconvenient to get this pass, or maybe the Ikon or Epic pass would cover more local mountains.
As I said initially, I'm mainly posting this for comparison next year- we'll see what Bohemia decides to offer and whether the value increases or plummets. If my memory serves, they've been steadily adding resorts to this list as they work out deals, so I wouldn't expect a reversal of that, but it remains to be seen.
The Bottom Line: If you live in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or nearby, and ski more than a day or two a winter, this is almost a must-have. If you're further away, crunch the numbers.
Happy skiing, and we'll see you in November 2023 with an update!
