Pass Comparison · Epic vs Ikon

Epic Pass vs Ikon Pass:
Which One Wins in the Midwest?

Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio — neither pass has deep Midwest coverage, but both have strategic footholds. Here's exactly what each one covers so you can make the right call.

6Epic mountains
3Ikon mountains
4states covered
Epic Pass

Better local coverage — especially if you're in Michigan or Ohio

Epic wins the Midwest on mountain count, with six resorts vs Ikon's three. Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain are the region's best destination resorts. Epic also has better Ohio coverage with two resorts. If your home state is Michigan or Ohio, Epic is the stronger local option — and the national Epic network adds massive value if you travel west.

Boyne Highlands & MountainOhio coverageMost Midwest mountains
Ikon Pass

Best if Wisconsin or the Twin Cities is your home market

Ikon's Midwest value is concentrated — Devil's Head for Wisconsin, Buck Hill and Wild Mountain for the Twin Cities. If you ski locally in those markets and also travel west (where Ikon's Rockies and PNW coverage is dominant), Ikon could still be the right call for the national value.

Devil's Head (WI)Twin Cities coverageBetter western network

🏒 Michigan — Epic

3 mountains
Epic wins Michigan with its three resorts. Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain are the most developed destination resorts in the state, with combined terrain, snowmaking, and lodging that no Midwest resort can match. Alpine Valley near Detroit rounds out the offering for day trippers.
Boyne Highlands
Epic
MI552 ft vertical❅ 150" avg$95 day ticket
Boyne Mountain
Epic
MI500 ft vertical❅ 155" avg$95 day ticket
Alpine Valley
Epic
MI280 ft vertical❅ 60" avg$75 day ticket

🌽 Minnesota

Epic: 1  ·  Ikon: 2
Minnesota is closely contested — Epic has Afton Alps, Ikon has Buck Hill and Wild Mountain. None of these are destination resorts, but they serve Twin Cities skiers well. Afton is the largest of the three. Ikon's two together offer comparable day-trip coverage.
Afton Alps
Epic
MN350 ft vertical❅ 55" avg$75 day ticket
Buck Hill
Ikon
MN308 ft vertical❅ 50" avg$50 day ticket
Wild Mountain
Ikon
MN300 ft vertical❅ 50" avg$52 day ticket

🧀 Wisconsin — Ikon

1 mountain
Ikon has Devil's Head — Wisconsin's largest resort. Epic has no Wisconsin presence, making Ikon the only pass option for Wisconsin-based skiers who want coverage at home.
Devil's Head
Ikon
WI500 ft vertical❅ 55" avg$65 day ticket

🏗 Ohio — Epic

2 mountains
Epic covers Mad River Mountain and Boston Mills/Brandywine — the two most practical Ohio options for Columbus and Cleveland skiers respectively. Ikon has no Ohio presence.
Mad River Mountain
Epic
OH300 ft vertical❅ 50" avg$60 day ticket
Boston Mills/Brandywine
Epic
OH240 ft vertical❅ 65" avg$65 day ticket

📋 Full Mountain List

All pass-affiliated mountains at a glance
MountainStatePassVerticalAvg SnowDay Ticket
Boyne Highlands MI Epic 552 ft 150" $95
Boyne Mountain MI Epic 500 ft 155" $95
Devil's Head WI Ikon 500 ft 55" $65
Afton Alps MN Epic 350 ft 55" $75
Buck Hill MN Ikon 308 ft 50" $50
Wild Mountain MN Ikon 300 ft 50" $52
Alpine Valley MI Epic 280 ft 60" $75
Mad River Mountain OH Epic 300 ft 50" $60
Boston Mills/Brandywine OH Epic 240 ft 65" $65

* Pass affiliations and prices subject to change. Verify with Epic Pass and Ikon Pass before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass better for Midwest skiing?

The Epic Pass covers more Midwest resorts overall, with Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, and Alpine Valley in Michigan, Afton Alps in Minnesota, and Mad River Mountain and Boston Mills/Brandywine in Ohio. The Ikon Pass covers Devil's Head in Wisconsin, Buck Hill in Minnesota, and Wild Mountain in Minnesota. If you ski in Michigan or Ohio, the Epic Pass has better local coverage. Wisconsin and Twin Cities skiers will find the Ikon Pass more useful close to home.

What Michigan ski resorts are on the Epic Pass?

Three Michigan ski resorts are on the Epic Pass: Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, and Alpine Valley. Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain in Northern Michigan are the two most developed destination ski resorts in the state, with combined terrain exceeding 1,600 acres. The Ikon Pass does not include any Michigan ski resorts.

Is there an Ikon Pass ski resort in Wisconsin?

Yes. Devil's Head Resort in Baraboo, Wisconsin is included on the Ikon Pass. It is the largest ski resort in Wisconsin with 500 feet of vertical drop and 30 trails. The Epic Pass does not include any Wisconsin ski resorts.

Does the Epic Pass work at any Ohio ski resorts?

Yes. The Epic Pass includes Mad River Mountain in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Boston Mills/Brandywine in the greater Cleveland area. These are two of the most accessible resorts for Ohio skiers and are a strong reason to choose the Epic Pass if you live in central or northeastern Ohio. The Ikon Pass has no Ohio ski resorts.

Is it worth buying an Epic or Ikon Pass just for Midwest skiing?

If you only plan to ski Midwest resorts, the national price of an Epic or Ikon Pass is hard to justify on local access alone. Most Midwest skiers who buy a major pass do so because they also take one or two trips to the Rockies, the Northeast, or the Pacific Northwest each season. If you ski entirely within the Midwest, exploring day tickets or regional passes at specific resorts may be more cost-effective.

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Live snow forecasts for every Epic and Ikon mountain near you — ranked by conditions, drive time, and crowds.

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