Boyne Mountain Activity Ctr

09/26/06

Think Midwest skiing is an oxymoron? Not at this Michigan downhill mega-resort.

by Contributor

The Scene
Boyne Mountain is clearly the pacesetter in Midwestern skiing. Near the harbor town of Petoskey, Boyne is the onetime home of skiing legend Stein Erikson. It also installed the world's first four-passenger lift and America's first six-passenger high-speed lift. Its army of Austrian-American ski instructors is nationally known. The rich and would-be famous vacation here. It even has its own on-property airport. In short, Boyne Mountain is a miniature Aspen, set along the northern shores of Lake Michigan.

The Slopes
Boyne makes the most of its modest 500-foot drop. Its 67 trails are serviced by 11 lifts, and some trails, though quite short, are surprisingly steep. Cross-country skiers will find 40 kilometers of groomed trails (skating and touring) as well as lessons and rentals.

Vital Stats
Vertical drop: 500 feet
Lifts: 12
Beginner terrain: 29 percent
Intermediate terrain: 41 percent
Advanced terrain: 30 percent
Snowboarding: Full facilities