Top of the Mitten Skiing

Michigan is loaded with terrific ski and riding areas. No matter where you go in the state, from the southeast corner by Detroit to the northwest corner in the Upper Peninsula, you’ll find outstanding slopes. But the skiing and riding that made Michigan famous for downhill thrills and fun are all located at the top of the mitten in the Petoskey Area. The three Petoskey Area resorts — Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, and Nub’s Nob — have a total of nearly 170 downhill runs.

No matter what your ability, there are more than enough to keep you coming back for more. When you step off the slopes, the four communities of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, and Boyne City beckon with shops, restaurants, music, and warm northern Michigan hospitality. Since all three of our resorts are located within an easy drive of each other, we recommend that you give them all a try.

Check out this video for a look at the Skiing Lifestyle

Boyne Mountain

With 60 downhill runs, beginners and experts are right at home. Add the allure of Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark, Avalanche Bay™, and endless off-the-slopes activities, and Boyne Mountain Resort still claims its place as the perfect spot to blow off some winter steam. The fun never ends. And that’s exactly the way it should be! The Boyne Mountain webcam shows what’s happening in real-time at the resort, and you’re just a click away from finding current conditions on all the slopes at Boyne Mountain.

When you purchase a specific BOYNE lift ticket, not only do you get access to 415 acres of beautifully groomed runs at Boyne Mountain Resort, but you also get the freedom to ski or ride at their sister resort, Boyne Highlands, and the following benefits: kids 8 & under ski and ride FREE every day, all season, when they are enrolled in a SnowSports Academy lesson or are a lodging guest at BOYNE, kids 5 & under ski/ride FREE every day, all season when accompanied by an adult who is skiing or snowboarding, and seniors 80+ ski/ride for FREE every day, all season.

Boyne Mountain Awards

Freeskier Magazine 2015 Resort Poll, Boyne Mountain named #1 ski resort in the Midwest for freeskiing, and Transworld Snowboarding Magazine 2015 Terrain Park Poll ~ Boyne Mountain #1 among the “Top 5 Midwest Parks.”

Boyne Mountain Trail Stats

Boyne Mountain has 60 Trails, Vertical drop of 500 feet, the Longest run is Cold Springs, at 1 mile, 415 skiable acres, Slope difficulty: 30% expert, 41% intermediate, 29% beginner, 10 lifts, including a 6-place high-speed lift and 2 surface lifts, 14 acres of free beginner ski & snowboard areas, Night skiing/riding 6 Terrain Parks, 1 Skier/Boardercross Course

With seven sweet terrain parks and more than 30 features to try, regulars know: there’s plenty of variety to always find a creative line and a new challenge. Pack up your gear and head to Boyne Mountain and try out the following terrain parks:

Burton Riglet Park For 3-6-year-olds entering the world of snowboarding. Features are set around terrain-based learning.
Campbells Alley Terrain Park An area for rollers, banked turns, and a step up from terrain-based learning.
Chmielewski Skier/Boardercross Course A high-speed adrenaline course designed for the competition of any ability level.
Fritz’s Terrain Park A small park on Boyneland targeted for the beginner park rider. This park features several small boxes, rails, and rollers.
McLouth Terrain Park This park has big features and an even bigger jump line. Ramshead Terrain Park The most popular medium-sized park with up to 25 medium-sized features.
Transfer Station This park has been completely revamped for this season and is located in a natural wooded area with log features and utilizes several natural jibs.

Boyne Mountain Equipment Rental

Maybe it’s your first time on the slopes. Maybe the airline lost your luggage. Or maybe your old equipment hasn’t seen daylight since 1985. No matter why you’re renting, Boyne Mountain will make sure you have the right equipment to make the most of your time on the mountain.

Snowboard Rental. Boyne Mountain rents the latest Burton snowboard equipment. Burton boots are extremely comfortable, the bindings are easy to use, and their fleet of Burton LTR (Learn To Ride) snowboards reduce unexpected hang-ups and make riding easier than ever. Staff will assist you with proper sizing of the boots and snowboard, as well as adjusting the bindings for stance.
Ski Rental. Boyne Mountain exclusively offers HEAD BYS skis and boots for adults. The boots are designed with comfort in mind, while the Alpine skis are slightly wider for better stability, and their “shaped” design makes turning a breeze. They also offer a full range of junior equipment, and their team is trained to ensure the ideal fit for young skiers. Helmet Rental Helmet usage is encouraged, but not required, at Boyne Mountain, and helmet rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Boyne Mountain Ski and Snowboard Instruction SnowSports Academy at Boyne Mountain

Learn at Boyne Mountain, and you learn with the best. For decades, Boyne Mountain’s famous Austrian-American SnowSports Academy has helped skiers and riders of all ages and all abilities to embrace new skills in a supportive, constructive atmosphere. The fun starts at the beginner level with ski or snowboard lessons and continues through clinics, group lessons, and private instruction. Through the tried and true techniques of their professional instruction staff, progress comes quickly, and confidence builds with every turn to create lifelong skiers and boarders with a never-ending appetite for improvement. Customized Professional Ski & Snowboard Instruction The SnowSports Academy at Boyne Mountain offers the right instructional solution for every skier and rider. With lessons available for all ages and all learning styles, they are firm believers that everyone -at any age -can improve. And whether you’re looking for skiing, snowboarding, or even cross-country skiing help, they have specialized options to suit your needs. So bring the whole family. Whether you’re just getting on your feet, or you’re training to race, they are here to help you down the path to success.

Boyne Highlands

The relaxed atmosphere makes Boyne Highlands the perfect place to create lasting memories on a Pure Michigan vacation. You’ll enjoy 55 downhill runs including one of the longest in Michigan at 1.25 miles, as well as the most skiable acres in Lower Michigan. The Boyne Highlands webcam shows what’s happening in real-time at the resort, and you’re just a click away from finding current conditions on all the slopes at Boyne Highlands.

When purchasing a BOYNE lift ticket, you are buying the freedom to enjoy two groomed mountains covered in the finest snow, terrain parks, halfpipes, and cross-country trails in the Midwest! Some BOYNE lift tickets provide access to both Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain -t hat’s a total of 115 downhill trails, a halfpipe, high-speed lifts, 70km of cross country trails and so much more as follows: Kids 8 & under ski and ride FREE every day, all season, when they are enrolled in a SnowSports Academy lesson or are a lodging guest at BOYNE, Kids 5 & under ski/ride FREE every day, all season when accompanied by an adult who is skiing or snowboarding, and seniors 80+ ski/ride for FREE every day, all season!

Boyne Highlands Trail Stats

55 Trails, vertical drop 552 feet, the longest run is North Peak Pass, at 1.25 miles, 435 skiable acres, slope difficulty: 34% expert, 29% intermediate, 37% beginner, 8 lifts, including a 4-place high-speed lift, 16 acres of free beginner ski & snowboard areas, night skiing/riding

5 Terrain Parks

When it comes to terrain parks, no Midwestern ski resort has more to offer than Boyne Highlands. As the popularity of terrain parks has grown, their commitment has grown right along with it -resulting in five exceptional parks, and unparalleled variety for skiers and boarders at every level as follows:

Burton Riglet Park This park features mellow rollers, small berms, and ground-level features to allow young riders to feel the balance they need to ride.
Challenger Terrain Park. Find new heights in the signature terrain park. Home to the largest jumps and most complex rails, the opportunities are endless.
Funland Terrain Park. A great place for beginners to start honing their skills, the Funland park features mellow rollers and several small boxes and rails.
Halfpipe. The only halfpipe in the north, this expertly cut 13’ halfpipe is a training ground for many of the area’s top riders.
MacGully Terrain Park. A true progression park, the MacGully Terrain Park features a variety of boxes and rails of increasing difficulty as the run progresses.

Boyne Highlands Equipment Rental

Trying a snowsport for the first time or is it what you own from decades past? The right skis and boots or snowboard undoubtedly make the experience easier and more enjoyable for all ability levels. Toddler to adult, the rental shop team can get you properly equipped to make the most of your time on the snow.

Snowboard Rental. Boyne Highlands rents the latest Burton snowboard equipment. Burton boots are extremely comfortable, the bindings are easy to use, and their fleet of Burton LTR (Learn To Ride) snowboards reduce unexpected hang-ups and make riding easier than ever. Staff will assist you with proper sizing of the boots and snowboard as well as adjusting the bindings for stance.
Ski Rental. Boyne Highlands exclusively offers HEAD BYS skis and boots for adults. The boots are designed with comfort in mind, while the Alpine skis are slightly wider for better stability and their “shaped” design makes turning a breeze. They also offer a full range of junior equipment, and their team is trained to ensure the ideal fit for young skiers. Cross-country skis and snowshoes are also available for rent. Helmet Rental Helmet usage is encouraged, but not required, at Boyne Highlands, and helmet rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Boyne Highlands Ski and Snowboard Instruction SnowSports Academy at Boyne Highlands

For decades, Boyne Highlands’ famous Austrian-American SnowSports Academy has helped skiers and riders of all ages and all abilities to embrace new skills in a supportive, constructive atmosphere. The fun starts at the beginner level with ski or snowboard lessons and continues through clinics, group lessons, and private instruction. Through the tried and true techniques of their professional instruction staff, progress comes quickly, and confidence builds with every turn to create lifelong skiers and boarders with a never-ending appetite for improvement.

Customized Professional Ski & Snowboard Instruction
The SnowSports Academy at Boyne Highlands offers the right instructional solution for every skier and rider. With lessons available for all ages and all learning styles, they are firm believers that everyone -at any age -can improve. And whether you’re looking for skiing, snowboarding, or even cross-country skiing help, they have specialized options to suit your needs. So bring the whole family. Whether you’re just getting on your feet, or you’re training to race, they are here to help you down the path to success.

Nub’s Nob

53 ski runs and trails on 3 separate peaks, an award-winning lodge, and the most highly decorated snowmaking and snow grooming crew in the Midwest. Nubs is the only Midwestern ski area ever to be ranked among North America’s best ski resorts, with awards earned for snowmaking, grooming, value, service, and terrain parks. The Nub’s Nob webcam shows what’s happening in real-time at the resort, and you’re just a click away from finding current conditions on all the Nub’s Nob slopes.

Nubs Nob Trail Stats
53 Trails, vertical drop 427 feet, the longest run is Ramblewood, at 7/8 mile, 248 skiable acres, slope difficulty: 20% expert, 50% intermediate, 30% beginner 9 chairlifts, 1 rope tow and 1 handle tow Bunny Hill and lift is always free to beginners, night skiing/riding

3 Terrain Parks The Nub’s Nob park scene is set to progressive! With 3 parks and 3 difficulties to choose from, all ages and skill levels will find terrain park features that suit their abilities. See the terrain park details as follows:

Jib Yard The Nub’s Jib Yard is located to the right of the Main Line Park and can be accessed by a dedicated rope tow, which services its Rail Area. Intermediate abilities will feel most at home in the Jib Yard, although both beginners and advanced skiers and riders will find something to love in this area filled with boxes, rails, and street-style features.
Main Line Park The Main Line Park is a full slopestyle run, with four step-over jumps, 2 defined jib lines, and hidden tranny finders scattered throughout! Jumps range from 30ft to 50ft with nice wide lips and long landings. Jibs in the Main Line area for the more advanced skier/rider with mostly street-style lips and larger gaps on and off of features. If you’re looking to learn a new trick, step it up from the Jib Yard Park. If you’re hoping to shoot photos or video on larger park features, Main Line is where it’s at!
The Purple Park Located beside the Purple Lift, the Nub’s Purple Park is your place to get the feel for riding park features! Loaded with beginner features, ride-on boxes, and rails, small rollers, and jumps, the Purple Park is great for learning and building awareness before stepping up your game.

Nub’s Nob Equipment Rental
The advent of new, shorter-shaped skis have increased control, made turning easier, improved stopping, reduced fatigue, and made skiing more fun. Nub’s Nob chooses top-of-the-line Rossignol rental skis with easy step-in Marker bindings and Nordica boots. New snowboard gear from Rossignol and Head was purchased. Nub’s Nob uses only the best rental gear for every winter sport. Nordica Ski Boots, an industry leader, has long supplied Nub’s Nob with the best fitting and warmest boots for everyone’s feet. Each Nordica model is specifically made for kids, ladies, or men.

Their staff specially installs custom-made heel lifts for superior fit, stance, and balance in every women’s and children’s ski boot. We have sizes from tiny tots to men’s 16! Nub’s Nob offers 400 Giro helmets for all ages. Fast fitting and light, many folks say helmets are warmer than their hats! Located in the back of the boot fitting area, helmets are easy to size and comfortable. Snowboard renters will love their fleet of Rossignol twin-tipped snowboards.

Riders enjoy their flexibility and ease of turning. All of their snowboards are equipped with Head snowboard boots and Rossignol strap-in bindings. The strap-in bindings are great for learning. The gear is fun to use and very easily adjusted for your stance, whether right or left foot forward.

Nub’s Nob Ski and Snowboard Instruction

The Winter Sports School at Nub’s Nob is an innovative leader in Learn to Ski & Introduction to Snowboard lessons. The Winter Sports School instructors are specially trained in getting you started in the sports of a lifetime. All participants in the Learn to Ski & Introduction to Snowboard Packages can practice their new skills FREE for as long as they would like in our FREE beginner area, complete with its FREE double chairlift.

The packages include lessons and the appropriate rental equipment for ages from 3rd grade through adult. The best way to learn any winter sport is through a private lesson. Please see the website for details on how you can sign up for the finest lesson available. All kids in 2nd grade and younger need to have the one-on-one attention of a private lesson instructor. Nub’s Nob Ski Area also offers lesson and rental programs for groups and schools

Winter here is more fun. There you have it. Three outstanding ski and riding resorts. Four incredibly cool communities.

Posted by Brook Walsh on July 7th, 2019