Northern Michigan Skiing: Boyne Highlands Resort and Boyne Mountain Resort, Michigan’s two largest ski areas with a combined 850 skiable acres and 115 trails, have revamped their facilities and amenities for Northern Michigan's 2012-13 winter season. Changes include on-hill investments, new Burton Riglet Parks and Burton Store, spa facility, hotel renovations, winter fly fishing trips and an expanded Tubing Park. Find out more below.
Boyne Snowmaking and Mountain Investments
With immense snowmaking firepower and expert crews at the helm, Boyne Highlands’ and Boyne Mountain’s commitment to superior snowmaking and conditions is unwavering. This winter, Boyne Highlands adds another 40 Boyne Low-E fan guns and Boyne Mountain adds 10 of the proprietary snow guns. The marginal temperature snowmaking capability of the Boyne Low-E fan gun enables better coverage and the ability to quickly expand terrain. For four years running, this technology has led Boyne Highlands to be the first resort in Northern Michigan to open for the ski season. Boyne Mountain’s snowmaking efficiency and capacity has also been upgraded with the installation of an additional 1,000 gpm (gallons per minute) water pump allowing increased flow and pressure from the base and mid-mountain pumping stations resulting in improved output and snow quality.
Both resorts have installed new electronic live-time signage at the base of the slopes, providing guests with easy access to the open/close status of trails and chairlifts. Boyne Mountain’s beginner chairlift, Boyneland, will see increased up-hill capacity this season with the addition of 13 triple chairs on the lift. Boyneland is located in the 14-acre free beginner area and serves moderately sloped terrain ideally suited for those progressing from the Magic Carpet area. North Boyne, a favorite Boyne Mountain trail among freestyle and ski racers alike, has increased lighting for night skiing and riding.
New Burton Riglet Parks for Young Snowboarders, 3-6 Years
Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain have partnered with Burton Snowboards to develop Riglet Parks at the resorts for the 2012-13 season. The parks are the first to be built in Northern Michigan, and join just one other park in the state. Riglet Parks offer on-snow play areas with fun terrain and features designed to introduce children ages 3 to 6 to snowboarding. Mellow rollers, small berms and ground level features allow young riders to feel the balance they need to ride while creating the muscle memory to begin making turns on sloped terrain. The park at Boyne Highlands is located adjacent to the Heather Express chairlift and at Boyne Mountain, near the Helga Haus Children’s Learning Center. Private and group instruction utilizing the Riglet Parks’ specially designed features and Burton’s Learn to Ride technique is available from Boyne Highlands’ and Boyne Mountain’s SnowSports Academy. Burton youth snowboards along with Riglet Reel attachments, which enable kids to be pulled while adapting to standing on a snowboard, are available from the resorts’ Equipment Rental and can also be purchased in the new Burton Store at Boyne Mountain.
New Burton Exclusive Store at Boyne Mountain
Boyne Mountain’s relationship with Burton is further extended with the launch of a new partner store. The Burton Store exclusively features the best winter products from Burton, and their Anon and RED lines. Merchandise includes an extensive line-up of Burton’s industry-leading hardgoods including 2013 snowboards, boots and bindings as well as outerwear, apparel, bags, accessories and youth products. The Burton Store provides shoppers with access to more progressive-style accessories and gear including Burton’s Restricted line and limited editions. The Burton Store at Boyne Mountain is the only Burton-exclusive store in Michigan. The store is located in the Boyne Country Sports building.
Boyne Highlands Opens New Spa
A new spa facility at Boyne Highlands Resort is available to guests this winter and offers massage, body treatments, facials and seasonal treatments. The Spa features four treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge with fresh fruit and tea, spa boutique and access to an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, sauna and fitness facility. The Spa is located on the lower level of the Heather Highlands Inn, which also offers family-style condo accommodations. The signature treatment, a Bamboo Massage, uses heated bamboo as an extension of the therapist’s hands to reach into muscle tissue more deeply, gently and efficiently providing ultimate relief for tired and sore muscles after a day of winter fun.
Hotel Renovations at Boyne Highlands
The Main Lodge at Boyne Highlands with ski-in/ski-out accommodations is underway with renovations to a number of guest rooms including new carpet, fixtures, fresh paint, new drapes and decorative features. The room upgrades are expected to be complete for the start of the 2012-13 winter season.
New Guided Winter Fly Fishing Trips
Boyne Mountain’s new fly fishing guide service and shop, Boyne Outfitters, provides anglers the opportunity to catch steelhead and Coho salmon with winter fly fishing trips. Northern Michigan’s pristine rivers can be explored with full- and half-day guide services on the Boyne, Jordan and Sturgeon Rivers. Full day trips include a savory riverside meal. Services include traditional floats, scenic floats, walk and wade adventures and private instruction. For more information and reservations, visit www.boyneoutfitters.com or call 231.549.6064.
Tubing Park Expansion at Boyne Mountain
The popular Tubing Park at Boyne Mountain is being expanded, doubling the number of lanes for riders. The Tubing Park will feature at least six downhill lanes and has a tow rope for convenient up-hill access. One- and two-hour, and full day passes are available and tubing is open to adults and children ages 5 and up.
Learn more at boyne.com.