‘Tis the season folks—Boyne Highlands opens today, Tuesday, November 27 for Skiing and Snowboarding!

As Northern Michigan’s largest ski area, Boyne Highlands is offering free skiing and snowboarding from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m this afternoon. The resort is expected to be the first ski area in Lower Michigan to open terrain for the 2012-13 season. Boyne Highlands is opening the Heather slope with lift service on the high-speed Heather Express quad.

Several nights of cold weather have allowed Boyne Highlands to take full advantage of its powerful snowmaking system led by the proprietary Boyne Low-E fan guns.  The resort has been making snow around the clock, 68 consecutive hours, in preparation for today’s opening day.

“The efficiency, quantity and quality of snow that our Boyne Low-E fan guns produce is what enables us to open early each season,” said Brad Keen, president and general manager of Boyne Highlands Resort. “We’re always eager and excited to welcome guests back to the slopes as soon as possible and with the best conditions.”

Boyne Highlands is pleased to offer skiing and riding for free during opening day hours of 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Tickets can be obtained at the resort’s Main Lodge desk.  On Wednesday, November 28 and Thursday, November 29, lift hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Lift tickets on Wednesday and Thursday are $25 for ages nine and above, free for ages eight and under and seniors 70+.  The Heather trail and Heather Express chairlift remain open on Wednesday and Thursday, with the opening of expanded terrain by Friday.

Boyne Highlands has been recognized by the readers of OnTheSnow.com as “Midwest’s Favorite Downhill Terrain” and named “Best Ski Resort in Michigan” by The Oakland Press.

For the 2012-13 season, Boyne Highlands added another 40 of the high-efficiency, low-energy Boyne Low-E fan guns. This technology has led Boyne Highlands to be the first resort in northern Lower Michigan to open for the ski season the past four years. Also this season, Boyne Highlands, along with Boyne Mountain, are the first resorts in Northern Michigan to introduce Burton Riglet Parks with specially designed features to introduce children ages 3 to 6 to snowboarding. A new spa facility is available to guests this winter offering massage, body treatments, facials and seasonal treatments. Additionally, the Main Lodge at Boyne Highlands, offering ski-in/ski-out accommodations, has undergone renovations and a number of guest rooms include new carpet, fixtures, fresh paint, new drapes and decorative features.

Sister resort, Boyne Mountain located in Boyne Falls, is expected to open on Friday, November 30 at 9 a.m. More details about Boyne Mountain’s opening day terrain can be found at BOYNE.com or by calling 800.GO.BOYNE (462-6963).

Find more skiing and snowboarding hotspots on our 2012-2013 Ski Guide!