Boyne Falls — Michigan’s lakes are great, but did you know we also have the second-most ski resorts in the country? More slopes than your neighbor’s driveway after a snowstorm.
Boyne Mountain has something really special. The Hemlock chairlift is the world’s oldest. It was built in 1936 at the Sun Valley Resort in Idaho and moved to Boyne in 1947.
They’ve updated it since, but the original terminals are still standing. It’s like an old truck—reliable, timeless, and still gets you where you need to go.
The ski resort opened here in 1949, and the resort now boasts 60 runs of varying difficulty down the 500-foot mountain. It’s not Vail, but it’s more than enough for a seasoned skier.
The old lift takes you to a new wonder: the SkyBridge, which engineers designed and built in just six months. They should put those folks in charge of fixing our roads.
The bridge stretches 1,200 feet between the peaks of Boyne Mountain, rising 118 feet high and boasting over 200,000 sparkling lights. From it, you can watch the wipeouts below.
On the way back down the lift, you see the full Boyne experience. Twinkling lights reflecting off the snow, skiers and snowboarders shredding, bonfires, hot cocoa, and the steaming outdoor pool, with people milling around the village.
It’s the winter escape of your dreams. No shoveling required.
Mark Naida is managing editor of Michigan Enjoyer.
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