Looking to get out of the house and have some fun this winter? Then take a scenic drive north to Boyne Mountain Resort and experience the magic of the season.
What started out as a private little ski club in the 1940s by Everett Kircher, the Resort is now a four-season property with over 5000 acres of the best in accommodations and entertainment for the entire family. Everett’s son, Stephen, is the CEO and president and runs the resort along with other family members.
Of course, skiing is their biggest offering, with over 415 skiable acres, 60 trails and 12 high speed lifts. “We have a tremendous amount of available acreage, which really allows people to spread out and enjoy the slopes,” says Erin Ernst, director of communications. “It has everything from the true beginner areas with magic carpet conveyors all the way up to expert terrain.”
Another way to hit the slopes is with their newest offering, Sno-Go Bikes. “These bikes are pretty awesome if you’re looking to truly get on the slopes, but are not a skier or snowboarder,” she says.
“They go up the chair lift and you can go down the slopes on them. There’s one board on the front and two boards on the bottom and you basically lift up your legs and steer with the handlebars just like a bike. They are super easy to use even on the larger slopes.”
Another unique activity is their Zipline Adventures Tour. “We have a series of ziplines throughout the property, so guests start with a chairlift ride to the top of the hill and start there,” says Erin. “They are varying lengths and heights and then they go right over the heads of skiers and snowboarders with speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.”
Tubing is also available. Since there’s a conveyor system to bring you right back to the top, you can have all the fun but none of the work of climbing up the hill again and again.
For those who like to move a little slower in the snow, there are cross-country trails and a multi-use trail for snowshoeing and horseback riding. Ice skating is also offered.
Ready for some indoor fun as well? Then, check out the 88,000 square foot Avalanche Bay, the largest indoor waterpark in Michigan.
“We really worked hard on making sure it attracted older as well as younger kids,” says Erin. “There’s a big arcade inside and two eateries, and a full bar for mom and dad.”
The waterpark is open mainly on the weekends during the winter season, but will be open daily over the holidays. Blocks of time are being reserved to keep the amount of people in attendance limited, as per COVID-19 guidelines.
Of course, no resort would be complete without a spa. “We have the largest spa facility in Michigan with 19,500 square feet and 18 treatment rooms, so it has everything from hydrotherapy and facials to body treatments and massages,” she says. A full-service salon and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool are also open year round.
If you’re hungry, there are a myriad of restaurants, cafés, pizzerias and taverns on-site. There’s fine dining in the main restaurant, but also plenty of grab and go type options from the Waffle Cabin and the very popular Happy’s Tacos truck that stops at the base of the hill. There are also Alpen huts scattered around the property selling hot dogs, sausages, and other quick bites.
“The Eagle’s Nest, which is really a cool one, sits right on top of the hill, so it’s a true ski in, ski out, type of establishment,” says Erin. “It serves sandwiches and burgers and has a huge fireplace to warm up. There’s also a lot of historical and fun memorabilia there.”
With over 400 accommodation units, guests can stay in everything from standard hotel rooms to condos and cabins with kitchens and multiple bedrooms.
“Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa, which has 220 rooms and suites, is by far the largest accommodation we have on property,” she says. “Besides having the spa located there, it also has second floor access to the water park. It’s also our central check-in for all accommodations on property.”
Boyne Mountain Resort is a great destination year round. Once the weather warms up, guests can enjoy its two golf courses, 11 tennis courts, a fly fishing outfitter for fishing in the rivers and streams in the area, and beach access on Deer Lake with all the true lake activities, including pedal boats. There are trails that are both paved and natural, and mountain bikers can even hook up their bikes to a ski lift to start at the top of the hill. There are also Segway tours, scenic chairlift rides, and a wakeboard camp in the summer. Everything is open to the public, so people can come for the day if they don’t have time to stay overnight.
Boyne Mountain Resort is also focused on keeping guests and staff safe. “Since most of our activities are outdoors, we’re already well positioned for a lot of what is already required [for COVID-19],” she says. There is a section on its website devoted to winter operation plans and safety.
“People tell us it’s a time to reconnect, whether during the holidays or just in general, when they come and stay with us,” says Erin. “They’re able to truly enjoy activities together as a family.”
Boyne Mountain Resort is located in Boyne Falls Michigan. For more information, go to www.boynemountain.com or call 1.866.759.1472.