Best for Michigan and Ohio skiers
Epic
Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, Alpine Valley, Mad River, Boston Mills and Brandywine. More Midwest resorts on Epic.
Pass guide · Epic vs Ikon
Epic Pass vs Ikon Pass: Which One Wins in the Midwest?
Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio. Neither pass is Midwest-first, but Epic leads on count; Ikon hits Wisconsin and the Twin Cities.
Quick picks
Start with how you actually ski
Best for Wisconsin and Twin Cities skiers
Ikon
Devil's Head plus Buck Hill and Wild Mountain. Epic has no Wisconsin.
Best if you also fly west a few times
Compare networks
Epic stacks more Vail Resorts destinations. Ikon spreads wider out west. If local days are the whole story, use the first two cards. If trips break the tie, pick the pass that matches where you actually land.
How this region shakes out
Fast read
Epic wins raw Midwest count, especially MI and OH. Ikon wins Wisconsin and splits Minnesota. Most buyers are really choosing the national network; treat Midwest as a tiebreaker.
🏒 Michigan · Epic
3 mountainsEpic 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.
🌽 Minnesota
Epic: 1 · Ikon: 2Minnesota 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.
🧀 Wisconsin · Ikon
1 mountainIkon 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.
🏗 Ohio · Epic
2 mountainsEpic 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.
📋 Full mountain list
All pass-affiliated mountains at a glance| Mountain | State | Pass | Vertical | Avg Snow | Day 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.
FAQ
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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