Beyond Epic and Ikon

Epic and Ikon ski passes both include plenty of great ski resorts, but if you’re looking for something a little less corporate, that still has great powder and lots of personality, then read on. From West to East, here is our list of the best ski resorts that aren’t included in either the Epic or Ikon pass.

West

Wolf Creek, Colorado

Located on the Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and South Fork, Wolf Creek boasts the most snow in Colorado, with an average of 430 inches per year. It’s also known for early season skiing and the quality of the powder. Those are the kinds of things that usually draw in hordes of powder hounds, but due to its location, Wolf Creek is relatively uncrowded and visited mostly by local skiers. If you make the trek, don’t come for a lux experience. Wolf Creek offers no-frills skiing. The facilities are basic. The mountain is served by four quad chairlifts, two triples, one double, one Poma chair, and one conveyor. Along with the abundant powder, Wolf Creek excels in its equal mix of slopes with 20% beginner, 35% intermediate, 25% advanced and 20% expert.

Silverton Mountain, Colorado

Fifty miles from Durango, just over the mountain from its more famous neighbor Telluride, Silverton boasts an average of 400 inches of snow per year. That’s actually more inches than the average amount of daily visitors, most of whom are in-the-know locals. Silverton sells itself as “All thrills no frills.” There’s only one chairlift, no groomers and only advanced and expert runs. Skiers have access to over 1,800 acres of backcountry type terrain via the chairlift. From there, a 15 minute to one hour hike takes guided skiers to bowls, steep, tight chutes and some of the finest black diamond skiing in the country. An average guided skiing day includes up to six runs and around 10,000 feet of vertical.

Powder Mountain Resort, Utah

Just over 50 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport, Powder Mountain features over 8,400 acres of accessible terrain, which is the most skiable acreage of any resort in the USA. With a summit elevation of 9,422 feet, Powder Mountain offers over 2,200 feet of lift-served vertical with 167 ski trails, nine lifts and two terrain parks. To keep crowds down it also has a daily ticket limit of 1,500 tickets. Unlike some of the more popular Utah resorts, locals say that “Pow Mow” has a cool, laid back vibe and is relatively budget friendly.

Grand Targhee, Wyoming

Located within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, in Alta, Wyoming, Grand Targhee Resort is best known for incredibly deep powder. It logs in over 500 inches of snowfall per year. Thanks to its location on the west side of the Grand Tetons, the slopes are constantly dumped on by storms that roll in from the Pacific and stack up against the mountains. The resort has a total of 2,602 acres served by five chairlifts, a vertical drop of 2,270 feet with the longest run measuring 2.7 miles. Located 42 miles from Jackson Hole, Targhee is loved for its diverse runs and laid-back atmosphere. And compared to its neighbors, it’s also relatively inexpensive to ski and stay here.

Midwest

Lutsen Resort, Minnesota

With more than 1,000 skiable acres, 1,000-foot vertical and over 90 runs, Lutsen is four times the size of most Midwest ski resorts. Located in the Sawtooth Mountain range, on the shores of Lake Superior, the views of the lake alone are worth the trip. Located on four separate peaks, Lutsen has eight lifts including one high speed six-person lift, and the region’s only gondola. It also receives over 120 inches of snow per year, and has short lift lines and a cool, relaxed vibe.

Mount Bohemia, Michigan

With the highest vertical and deepest powder in the Midwest, Mount Bohemia in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a true treasure for backcountry skiers. The average snowfall here is 273 inches. And due to its position on a tiny peninsula on the Upper Peninsula, the lake effect snow it receives is dry and powdery like a western resort. The trails are ungroomed with numerous tree runs, backcountry, cliffs, and chutes. There are just two ski lifts serving the 71 trails along with the offer of Snowcat skiing. Mount Bohemia is reserved for expert and advanced skiers only. Staying here is all part of the adventure. A ski bum haven, most either sleep together in shared yurts, or some even set up tents at the top of the mountain to catch the fresh morning fall.

Mount Bohemia, Michigan

East

Jay Peak, Vermont

Located in Vermont’s Green Mountains, just south of the Canadian border, Jay Peak boasts the most snow in eastern North America with an average annual snowfall of 369 inches. Jay includes 81 trails over 385 skiable acres of which there are 100 acres of gladed terrain, a vertical drop of 2,153 feet and a three-mile-long trail. The resort is served by nine lifts including four quads and a tram. A family friendly resort, Jay Peak offers a great mix of beginner to advanced trails and is home to the only indoor waterpark in Vermont.

Magic Mountain, Vermont

“Where skiing still has its soul.” That’s Magic Mountain’s motto, and for good reason. It does have a classic, small, Vermont ski resort feel with a laid-back vibe. As for the skiing itself, Magic Mountain is famous for steep narrow twisting trails, moderate groomers, and world-class glade skiing. Magic Mountain has an average snowfall of 145 inches, there are 39 trails, (the longest being 1.6 miles), 11 glades and a vertical drop of 1,500 feet. The resort is divided with 24% beginner, 32% intermediate, 18% is advanced and 26% reserved for experts only. The numbers are good, the vibe is good and best of all the skiing still has its soul.