Industry News
Steeped in history and innovation, Boyne Mountain Resort, Michigan, is marking this winter’s 75th anniversary with a show-stopping array of upgrades, attractions, and experiences building on its legacy as the premier winter destination of the Midwest.
Two New Chairlifts Make Their Debut This Winter
Boyne Mountain is debuting two new lifts this winter, replacements for Boyneland and Superbowl in its quest for the most advanced lift infrastructure in the Midwest. The new lifts come on the heels of last winter’s opening of Disciples 8, the Midwest’s first eight-person chairlift. Boyneland, a former triple located in the resort’s beginner area, is now a four-person Dopplemayr fixed grip chairlift that expands capacity and transports riders up-hill in under four minutes – half the former ride time. The new lift has been realigned for easier access within the base area and smoother unloading for accessing the Boyneland slope. The greater accessibility also allows Boyneland to become the gateway with quick and convenient access to the Disciples 8 lift, and family-friendly terrain within the Disciples Ridge area.
The Superbowl lift, servicing expert-rated terrain on the south end of the slopes, has been replaced with a three-person Dopplemayr fixed grip chairlift – the fastest in the Midwest at 2.5m/s – for more fun-filled laps in this popular area. The new lift was shifted downward to provide easier loading access and additional space at the top for an improved unloading experience.
Both the new Boyneland and Superbowl lifts have loading conveyors, and RFID gates providing hands-free, direct-to-lift access to the slopes. In total, Boyne Mountain now offers nine lifts and one covered conveyor servicing 65 runs and 415 skiable acres.
New Covered Conveyor Lift
Another up-hill advancement at Boyne Mountain this winter is a new 400-foot Sunkid covered conveyor, which replaces the existing conveyor in the beginner area. Say goodbye to chilly ascents and hello to speed and comfort with a fully enclosed tunnel that protects against the elements while transporting guests up the slopes. The new Carpet, Estelle’s Way, was named after long-time Boyne Mountain ski instructor Ed Estelle who shared his passion for skiing for more than six decades and worked with every SnowSports Academy director in the resort’s history from Stein Eriksen to Wolfgang Russold. The beginner area has also been revamped adding two new runs for double the fun featuring expanded learning terrain for new excitement at every turn.
Boyne Mountain Celebrates 75 Years
This winter, Boyne Mountain celebrates its 75th anniversary and invites guests to join in celebrating the milestone. Kicking off the festivities, for 75 hours straight, skiers can hit the slopes to help raise funds for Challenge Mountain with a goal of raising $40,000 in honor of their 40th anniversary. Skiing will commence on January 10 at 2 p.m. and continue non-stop until January 13 at 5 p.m. Boyne Mountain is also planning a public party, a drone show, live musical acts throughout the weekend, snow sculptures, and much more.
Improved Snowmaking Efficiency, Miles of New Pipe, and New Cats
Significant upgrades in snowmaking have taken place throughout the slopes. Improvements include a new booster station to improve snowmaking efficiency; new stationary HKD snowmakers on Boyneland for added consistency and quality through the season; two new fully automatic fan guns positioned on Victor and within the base area; and miles of new pipe across the top and bottom of Ramshead, to and from the new booster station, and on McLouth; plus, a new valve house on North Boyne. Boyne Mountain has also added two new snow cats to its fleet – a PistenBully 100 and PistenBully 400. The smaller 100 cat allows the resort to better access tighter spaces around the base area, lifts, terrain and tubing parks, and cross country trails.
Top Notch Tubing Park Gets A Glow Up
Already a popular pastime at Boyne Mountain Resort, the Top Notch Tubing Park is getting a glow up this winter with the addition of music and color changing LED lights, plus a new 530-foot covered Sunkid conveyor. Feel the rush as you slide down the slopes to a symphony of beats and a spectrum of colors. Like day tubing, this mesmerizing new experience is open to ages 5 and above. Tickets can be purchased in one-hour increments, and advanced reservations are highly recommended. Lanes can also be reserved for private parties.
SkyBridge Michigan Unveils Jaw-Dropping Holiday Lights
Holiday merriment kicks off with SkyBridge Michigan’s spectacular holiday light display, running from November 22 through March 31, and graced with a holiday light installation by Zoro’s Lights of Livonia, Michigan, staring over 150,000 twinkling lights. There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than by immersing in the crisp winter air while venturing across the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, adorned in a mesmerizing tapestry of lights. SkyBridge Michigan is a 1,200-foot long, 118-foot high pedestrian bridge positioned between two peaks, McLouth and Disciples Ridge, overlooking the Boyne Valley. Rounding out the experience, bridgegoers can enjoy hot drinks, Polish food, the ambiance of an outdoor gas fire, and more. Tickets include a chairlift ride, plus unlimited day and evening bridge crossing. Resort lodging guests receive $5 off per ticket, and all visitors can buy online in advance to save on tickets and go directly to the lift.
MoonBikes Return with Expanded Tours
MoonBikes, the world’s first fully electric snow bikes, are returning to Boyne Mountain for the second year with new sunrise and sunset guided tours. MoonBikes are quiet, easy to ride, have zero active emissions, and have a range of up to 35 miles. The bikes can be rented from the Adventure Center.
Alpine Gelato Experience
Guests can enjoy a sweet surprise with the addition of a new gelato cart popping up at various locations throughout the resort. With creamy classics to frosty delights, guests can take a break from the slopes to savor a delicious treat against a snowy backdrop at Boyne Mountain.
In Other News
Boyne Mountain has a new fleet of cross country ski equipment serving the resort’s 35km of Nordic skiing. A new Mountain Kids store is located inside the Boyne Country Sports location providing a full assortment of kids merchandise from jackets and pants to goggles and gloves. Boyne Country Sports hardgoods area has also been revamped improving access to the slopes for demo equipment.
