Our History
1948-19991940s
1948: Boyne Ski Club Formed
"Anybody damn fool enough to want to build a ski hill, well... I'll give you the property." When Michigan's Senator Pearson made this $1 deal with Boyne Resorts founder Everett Kircher, he was unaware of the tenacity of this transplanted Detroit Studebaker dealer.
1948: Trails Cleared
The Detroit Youth Hostelers helped clear the trails. There were no bulldozers at the time and the work had to be done by hand.
1949: Boyne Ski Club Opens
In the winter of 1948/49, it all started with two runs, the first chairlift in the Midwest (moved from Sun Valley), and a warming hut. Everett Kircher had begun a resort and leisure corporation that now spans the continent. Over seven decades, the spirit of adventure has thrived.
January 10, 1949: Opening Ceremonies
The official anniversary date of Boyne Mountain Resort. Take a listen to the recording of Senator Pearson on WJR .
1950s
The First Expansion
In 1953, a new lodge was erected that included 24 guest rooms, a new dining room, the swanky Snowflake Room, and the first four season outdoor heated swimming pool east of the Mississippi.
Days of Stein Eriksen
What a typical weekend in the 1950s at Boyne Ski Club looked like, complete with Stein Eriksen's coveted front flip. The first inverted aerial in the world happend on the bottom of Victor thanks to Stein. Take a visit to Eriksen's Restaurant in the Clock Tower Lodge to reminisce the days when the dashing Stein showed up to teach lessons wearing one of his famous ski sweaters.
Duck Bill Snowmakers
Boyne Mountain was an early adopter of snowmaking in the 50s. "We cobbled up a little tripod stand with a center water jet and an air jet on either side. Then we criss-crossed compressed air into the stream. It worked. We made snow right off. Right then my course was charted. I would chase after snowmaking with the fervor of Ahab hunting Moby Dick." -Everett Kircher
1959: Boynehof Lodge Built
The Boynehof Lodge was built to handle the demand for lodging that skiers attending ski weeks required. Boynehof's alpine aesthetics inspired the later renovations of the resort.
1960s
1961: Transformation to Swiss-themed Village
Inspired by many ski vacations west and overseas, the Kirchers found a way to bring the Swiss alps home to Michigan.
1964: First Quad in the World
The addition of the four-place Meadows chairlift in 1964 was a monumental upgrade to skier's right and set the bar high in chairlift innovation.
1970s
1970: The Alpine Golf Course
And then there was golf. Making Boyne Mountain a part of people's summer plans with the opening of The Alpine, this 18-hole course was the first.
BOYNE Air Academy
Kircher welcomed the idea of a flight school at Boyne in the 70s. When his son John graduated from the academy with a dream of being a pilot at age 16, Everett closed the academy to ensure his sons stayed in the ski business.
1972: Civic Center
Opened the Boyne Mountain Civic Center, which featured meeting rooms with a capacity of 850.
ABC Wide World of Sports
Boyne Mountain hosted some of the world's greatest skiers in professional races in the 60s and 70s, including Bob Beattie's Pro Tour. Many of the races were broadcasted on ABC, famous names including Billy Kidd, Spider Sabich, and Jean-Claude Killy were in attendance.
1976: Tennis Center
Nothing but the best at Boyne Mountain. The Tennis Center was designed by Rod Laver in 1976. Rod, a famous tennis player, also started a tennis school at the resort.
1980s
1982: Superbowl Chairlift
The second lift that was from the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville. It was installed almost in the center of Superbowl as a 2-place. We eventually converted it to a 3-place and it now is the Boyneland lift.
1984: Challenge Mountain
In 1984, Everett Kircher donated Walloon Hills Ski Area to the non-profit, Challenge Mountain to be operated as a ski area for disabled and physically-challenged skiers. The ski area operates on the same premises to this very day.
1986: The Monument Opens
Designed with nods to the distinct design philosophies of a "who's who" list of legendary golf course architects, The Monument was dedicated in 1984 by Sam Snead and Governor Blanchard with Byron Nelson, Gene Sarazen, and Cathy Whitworth in attendance. The 18-hole course pays homage to the game's most important influences - with holes dedicated to players and key contributors.
1990s
1992: Mountain Express Chairlift
Boyne Mountain proudly unveiled America's first six-seat, high-speed chairlift.
1995: Disciples' Ridge Expansion
The Disciples' Ridge expansion added twelve runs to the map and one chairlift.
The First Renaissance
2000-20102000s
2000: Everett Kircher Honored
SKI Magazine honored Everett Kircher as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Skiers of All Time". Placing him beside Olympic athletes, inventors, and filmmakers such as, World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, Jean-Claude Killy and the popular filmmaker, Warren Miller.
2002: Boyne Mountain Award
Golf Digest named Boyne Mountain in the "Top 75 Resorts in America".
2002: Loss of Our Founder
2005: Opening of Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa
The opening of the much anticipated Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa, a luxury condominium-hotel set in a four-season village atmosphere at Boyne Mountain Resort. The Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa features a full service spa, specialty shops, Everett's Restaurant, and modern function space.
2005: Opening of Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark
The first ski resort to also have a waterpark, the opening of Avalanche Bay, Michigan's largest indoor waterpark, set Boyne Mountain apart from the rest.
2005: First Kid Rock Concert
While Boyne Mountain staged other concerts in the 90s, most remember the infamous Kid Rock shows. We hosted Kid Rock three times: July 17, 2005, August 2, 2008, and August 15, 2009. In 2007, we also had The Gin Blossoms and The Allman Brothers Band rock the resort. Can you find yourself in the crowd?
2007: Boyne Low-E Fan Gun
BOYNE introduced its Low-E fan gun technology and the commitment for high-output, low energy snowmaking continues stronger than ever. The ability to make greater quantities of snow with less compressed air not only creates the best possible surface conditions, but it also reduces energy consumption while increasing output.
2008: Meadow Chairlift Replacement
Replacement for the Meadows chairlift at Boyne Mountain is a Doppelmayr quad, fixed grip, conveyor loaded lift, and the only one of its kind in the Midwest. Meadows riders can reach the top in about four minutes flat.
2009: Burton Learn to Ride
Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands partnered with Burton to offer their exclusive “Learn To Ride” (LTR) program for juniors and adults, becoming the only Burton LTR centers in Michigan.
Early 2010s
2010: Zipline Adventures
Boyne Mountain introduces new Zipline experience, including Twin Zip. The Mountain’s Twin Zip is 780 feet long and travels over a pond with fountains, landing on the mountainside lawn of the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa.
2013: The Big Couloir
The addition of The Big Couloir to Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark. Riders begin in the launch capsule angled 10° from vertical, the steepest drop in the industry, where a trap door releases them into a narrow tunnel instantly accelerating riders to 38 feet per second. Powerful G-forces glue the rider to the wall the entire way around a 360° Super LOOP, all leading to a gentle landing in the watery run-out.
Boynehof Renovation
Renovated the Boynehof rooms and recarpeted the halls.
2014-2018
Lacrosse Fields
Design and construction began for a multi-field Sports Complex located on the north side of M-75 from the resort. Today it's the home to many soccer and lacrosse tournaments, including the Boyne City Ramblers.
Pierson's becomes Forty Acres Tavern
Bringing this central space back to Boyne Mountain meant a complete restaurant overhaul.
Introduced The Spa at Boyne Mountain
Renovated salon space with new pedicure lounge, nail and hair stations, and retail space. Newly laid out boutique, front desk, and shelving.
2019
Edelweiss Renovation Begins
The first steps in the renovation process began in 2019. The Edelweiss Lodge transformation was starting to take shape.
2020
COVID-19 Pandemic
Resort operations were shut down on March 15, 2020. This was the first time in Boyne Mountain's history that the entire resort was shut down for an extended period of time. Bears enjoyed walking the grounds freely with not a bother in sight.
Paved Bike Trail
The Boyne Valley Trail opened in the summer of 2020 linking the resort to Boyne City on a beautifully paved bike path.
The Next Chapter, Renaissance 2.0
2021-20302021
RFID Installation
Mountain Express RFID gates installed in late summer of 2021 along with nine Pick Up Box terminals throughout the property.
Solar Array
A solar array installation by a CMS Energy subsidiary at Boyne Mountain Resort is set to be completed in October 2021. The 1.7-megawatt system stands to power the equivalence of the resort’s 300+ homes and condominiums, and is the first of its size for Boyne Resorts.
Chalet Edelweiss Completion
Newly arriving as a contemporary alpine escape, Chalet Edelweiss is an alluring European-inspired guest haus that reinvents the traditional mountain experience in chalet-luxe style across 35 rooms and suites. Opening December 2021.
SkyBridge Michigan
Follow along as we construct the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge at Boyne Mountain Resort. SkyBridge Michigan, a nod to our sister in Gatlinburg, is easily about to become “Michigan’s second bridge,” enticing travelers to take a walk on the wild side. Panoramic valley views and extensive light displays are a guaranteed camera pleaser. Open year round, every season has a reason to take in the views from this architectural masterpiece.
2022
Midwest's First 8-Place
Boyne Mountain is bringing the next innovation in lift technology to Michigan with the state’s first Doppelmayr D-Line, a high-speed eight-person lift. Coined the D8, the new lift is replacing Disciples I and II, and will transform up-hill capacity in the Disciple’s Ridge area. Installation is set to begin in summer 2022.
Airport Upgrade
Phase 1 of the project takes flight in October 2021 with grinding, widening, and gravel overlay of the runway, setting the stage for a quick paving/grooving in the spring. We'll install an AWOS weather station upon completion. Phase 2 includes hangar-miniums with new runway lighting to cater to our fly-in/fly-out guests, a standard set in the early 1970s, when we first introduced the air strip.
2023-2030
Phase 1: Clock Tower Lodge
Planning for a full refresh of the iconic Clock Tower Lodge is underway. A décor update to the lobby area, refurbished desk space, and highly curated check-in experience is on the docket. The addition of a lounge bar, French-inspired café, and retail space adds to the consumer convenience.
Outdoor Waterpark
We’re sure to make a splash with the northern region’s first indoor/outdoor waterpark. More details to come, we promise it's going to be a slam dunk!
Snowmaking Upgrades
On-going, annual investments to continue to expand our snowmaking capability and increase automation.
More Lift Enhancements
Team work makes the dream work. Add Superbowl, Meadows, Victor, Boyneland, and the Mountain Express to the list of lift upgrades in our future.
Beach House Reimagined
Easily becoming one of the most desired wedding and dining venues in northern Michigan, the Deer Lake lawn and beach offer a desirable opportunity to enhance the space offerings. We have dreams of Lake Como charm with Italian-inspired dishes served indoors and out. Perhaps a beautifully constructed pavilion to host the most important events holds the future. Whichever direction we go, just know this projects ranks high on our list.
Sports Complex
Making this a true multi-sport facility that offers guests more ways to play.
New Golf Course
Years ago, we designed and laid out a Pete Dye course. With the resurgence of golf, this project is becoming hard to ignore.
Music Venue
We'll never live down our Kid Rock days and we don't really want to try. Establishing a dedicated space for live acts is music to our ears.