In Michigan, An Alps-Inspired Ski Resort Offers Four Seasons of Fun

A recent fall visit to Boyne Mountain showed me just how fun the ski resort can be in the off-season — more accurately, it showed me that the resort really has no off season. If you’re not there to ski groomers, perhaps you’re there to hike or bike mountain trails, as I did. Here’s what it’s like to visit the Boyne Mountain Resort — whether or not you want to brave the cold.

Photo: Boyne Mountain Resort

The earliest iteration of the Boyne Mountain ski resort opened in 1949. Twelve years later, its founders gave the resort village a makeover inspired by the Swiss Alps. Architectural details such as gabled roofs, shuttered windows, and characteristic wood banding give the resort’s main building, the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa, a distinctly European flair.

Guests can stay in the Mountain Grand Lodge, which houses 220 rooms and multiple suites alongside a spa, one indoor and one outdoor heated pool, and a fitness center. But there are several other lodging options at Boyne Mountain, as well. At the mountain’s base area, the connecting Clock Tower Lodge and Boynehof Lodge provide easy access to restaurants, shops, and, of course, the slopes. Elsewhere, there are condos at Deer Lake, near the Disciples 8 chairlift, and at the Village at Disciples Ridge, many of which are ski-in, ski-out accommodations for winter visitors. The resort also has cabins near the Alpine Chairlift.

Photo: Boyne Mountain Resort

I stayed at Chalet Edelweiss, a 35-room chalet that’s a hair closer to the resort’s base ski lifts than the Mountain Grand Lodge, located right by the Hemlock chairlift. After I parked, I was taken from my car to the chalet by a personal driver in a fancy golf cart. He gave me a brief tour of the resort before taking my bags to my room.

In addition to spacious rooms and suites, Chalet Edelweiss has a few lounges and a small spa. Tea and coffee, including French press, are provided in the rooms, and tea and pastries are served in the chalet in the morning. Another in-room treat is the cozy robes, which are perfect for warming up after a day in the snow or wearing down to the Nordica sauna in the lobby, where you can participate in a rejuvenating hot-cold-rest cycle after a long day outdoors

Photo: Boyne Mountain Resort

Boyne Mountain has 18 different dining and drinking venues, meaning that no matter what I was craving during my visit, it was easy to find the food, drinks, or ambiance I wanted.

In the Grand Mountain Lodge, Everett’s is a go-to breakfast option, with a buffet as well as made-to-order options such as omelets. Beverages range from piping hot coffee to stronger options such as espresso martinis and mimosas. (Guests who prefer grab-and-go breakfasts with their morning caffeine can head to Das Café, also in the Grand Mountain Lodge, for Starbucks coffee and quick continental bites.) Everett’s also stays open late for lunch and dinner, serving all-American classics ranging from steak and seafood to burgers and salad.

There’s no shortage of alternatives for lunch and dinner, however. In the Village, Forty Acres Tavern has a hefty menu of shareables and mains, ranging from wings and mozzarella sticks to Wagyu sirloin and smoked duck breast. (Prices vary but expect to pay about $15 for appetizers and $40 for entrees.) In the Clock Tower Lodge, Trophy Room Pub & Pizzeria serves a variety of loaded pies (roughly $25 for a 12-inch pizza and $35 for a 16-inch pizza).

Photo: Boyne Mountain Resort

You’ll also find food trucks on site, serving on-the-go staples like burgers and tacos, as well as the ski-in, ski-out Skybridge Food Truck at Disciples overlook, which specializes in Polish-inspired Michigan classics such as pierogies and kielbasa with sauerkraut. For ski days, another special option is the chairlift-accessible Eagle’s Nest on the top of the mountain, which has a full bar in addition to burgers, pretzel bites, brownies, and other bites.

On the other hand, if you’re visiting during golf season, you can trade a hot bowl of chili from Eagle’s Nest for a hot dog from one of the two quick-service food options at the resort’s golf courses — located at the 19th Tee on The Monument course and 10th Tee on The Alpine course. For a sit-down option on a golfing day, consider The Beach House near the Boyne Mountain Golf Shop, which also hosts live music on the shores of Deer Lake. Pricing at The Beach House is similar to Forty Acres Tavern for apps and entrees.

Skybridge Michigan

Photo: Boyne Mountain Resort

Opened in 2022, the resort’s SkyBridge is the longest timber-tower suspension bridge in the world, spanning more than 1,000 feet and reaching heights of up to 118 feet. It connects the top of the terminal of the Mountain Express chairlift with the Disciples Ridge summit, where you’ll find food trucks, picnic tables, and stunning views to make a whole outing out of your crossing.

I’m scared of heights, but there are high railings on the bridge and plenty of space to walk past people (the walkway measures five feet across) to make guests feel safe. During my fall visit, the views of the changing leaves were picture-perfect, but the attraction is open year-round. Another special time to walk the SkyBridge is in the winter to see the attraction all lit up in more than 150,000 string lights, an experience that’s running through March this year.

Even if you opt to skip the bridge itself, it’s worth heading up the mountain to admire it from afar — there’s a great viewpoint not too far from the ski lifts. If you do choose to ride, ticket costs are subject to change based on the day (hours are also variable, so be sure to check the schedule). At the time of publication, the online ticket price for adults is $25.

Adventure Center

Photo: Boyne Mountain Resort

Boyne Mountain’s Adventure Center is the resort’s all-season outdoor activities hub, all of which take place right on or near the property. Since I came outside of ski season, I opted for a bike ride through the resort’s trails to admire the changing leaves. There are various trails on the property — both on and off the mountain, paved and unpaved, for guests of all abilities — as well as 110 miles of easily accessible nature preserve trails protected by the Little Traverse Conservancy nearby the resort. Mountain bikes and fat bikes cost $40 to rent for a half day and $60 to rent for a full day at the Adventure Center. Pedego electric bikes are also available but more expensive: $40 for one hour or $60 for two hours.

Other recreation options you can arrange at the Adventure Center include hiking, golfing, paintball, tennis, ziplining, and horseback riding. Excitingly, both ziplining and horseback riding stay open in the winter in addition to more traditional winter activities such as snowshoeing, snow biking, cross-country skiing, tubing, and ice skating.

The Spa

Photo: Boyne Mountain Resort

After a full day of hiking, biking, skiing, or walking across the SkyBridge, make sure you head to The Spa at Boyne Mountain. My time here was probably my favorite of my entire stay — proof that you don’t need to be into outdoor recreation to enjoy a ski resort like Boyne Mountain. Guests can choose between body treatments, massages, and facials, all of which last either 60 or 90 minutes and cost between $170 and $290. If you have a whole afternoon to spare, and a large budget for spa activities, consider the Spa Signature Journey, which includes five hours of Swedish massage, facial, and mani-pedi treatments for $690-710.

Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark

Photo: Boyne Mountain Resort

If you’re traveling with young kids, at least one visit to the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark is a must. Located right next to the main lodge, it’s the largest indoor waterpark in Michigan at 88,000 square feet. Inside, you’ll find seven waterslides, rides ranging from a simulated surf zone to a lazy river and aquatic ropes course, and four pools — as well as hot tubs, which double as a great place to soak after skiing. The waterpark is open year-round, with full-day passes ranging from $36 to $58 for kids and from $42 to $65 for adults (ages 11+). Parents can also purchase $10 spectating-only dry passes. Guests of the Boyne Mountain Resort are also eligible for a 10 percent discount at the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark.

Photo: Gary R Ennis Photos/Shutterstock

It stands to reason that many of the best things to do near Boyne Mountain, an outdoor destination, also involve the outdoors. Lake Charlevoix is less than 10 miles away, providing access to on-water activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding. Some nice hikes in the area and fantastic views await at Avalanche Preserve Recreation Area, which sits at the entrance to the lake. Even closer to the mountain, more kayaking awaits on the gentle Boyne River.

Boyne Falls, and very slightly further afield Boyne City, also have several cultural attractions. History buffs can learn about the region at the Boyne Heritage Center. Those interested in history and literature might also enjoy stopping by the nearby Horton Bay General Store on the shores of Lake Charlevoix — listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, the landmark is known for being featured in a couple of short stories written by Ernest Hemingway.

Wine lovers can also visit Boyne Valley Vineyards a short drive, roughly 10 miles, from Boyne Mountain to get a taste of locally grown wines and take in the countryside views. If you’re visiting between early May and late October, a vineyard visit also pairs perfectly with a stroll through the fields at Lavender Hill Farm, Michigan’s largest commercial lavender farm.

Photo: Boyne Mountain Resort

The closest airport to Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Mountain Airport, is an option for anyone flying private or by charter, but commercial flyers should look for flights into Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport (TV). The airport is located roughly 1.5 hours from Boyne Mountain Resort by car. Multiple car rental agencies operate out of TVC.