Boyne USA Resorts date back to 1947, when Everett Kircher established Boyne Mountain and hired Stein Eriksen to teach skiing there. Kircher expanded his northern Michigan resort with the purchase of Boyne Highlands in 1964. The two facilities are approximately twenty-five miles apart, just across scenic Little Traverse Bay from one another, and lift tickets are interchangeable. Both resorts are located in the heavily wooded, rolling hills of the Mackinaw State Forest, within a few miles of the resort communities along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. Boyne USA Resorts are consistently mentioned among the best of Midwest ski areas, and together they host over 300,000 skiers annually.

Winter Activities

Boyne Mountain, with a vertical drop of 500 feet, offers 230 acres of skiable terrain. Of the two facilities, it is generally preferred by more advanced skiers seeking the challenge of moguls or steep, groomed slopes.

It also features a Nordic center and twenty-five kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails. Boyne Highlands offers 280 acres of skiable terrain with a 525-foot vertical drop, as well as twenty-five kilometers of cross-country trails. Although the terrain includes moguls and a pro-tour race facility, it also features gentle slopes suitable for intermediate skiers and a stunning view of Little Traverse Bay. Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands each have eight ski lifts with a capacity of 17,400; Boyne Mountain has one six-person lift, while Boyne Highlands has one high-speed, detachable quad lift. Both resorts offer snowboard facilities, including a terrain park and half-pipe, and have snowmaking ability on 95-100 percent of all slopes. Other popular winter activities in the Boyne area include snowmobiling, sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing.

Summer Activities

The resort areas of northern Michigan come alive during the summer months. Boyne Mountain is home to two eighteen-hole golf courses and is also a popular area for mountain biking. Boyne Highlands offers four eighteen-hole golf courses and hosts the Young Americans theater group. Nearby Traverse City presents the National Cherry Festival each year in July, as well as a variety of other events such as boat races and car shows. Petoskey offers an annual Art in the Park celebration. Other popular summer activities in the area include boating, swimming, and fishing in the numerous area lakes, as well as hiking, camping, tennis, and golf.

Apr�s-ski

Skiers at Boyne Mountain can enjoy live music in the Snowflake Lounge after a day on the slopes, or they can travel down the road to the popular Sportsman's Bar in Boyne Falls. The warming chalet at the top of Boyne Mountain is the place to be on St. Patrick's Day weekend, when many guests choose to sit in the snow and drink green beer rather than ski. The popular hangout for the college-aged crowd at Boyne Highlands is the Zoo Bar. The surrounding areas of Petoskey and Harbor Springs offer numerous restaurants, ranging in style from elegant to casual.

Transportation

A car is necessary to travel between Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands or within the surrounding area. Indian Trails, (800) 292-3831, provides bus service into the area, but no local transportation is available other than rental cars or taxis. Pellston Regional Airport is located just a few miles north of Boyne Highlands. Pellston is served by American Eagle, (800) 433-7300, United Express, (800) 241-6522, and Northwest Airlink, (800) 225-2525, all of which connect with major airlines in Detroit and Chicago.

Housing

Employee housing is not available at Boyne USA Resorts, but there are apartments and rooms for rent in the surrounding areas of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Charlevoix. The best sources for rental information include the classified section of the local newspaper, Vacation Properties Network at (616) 347-7600 or (616) 526-6219, and Accommodations North at (616) 582-3200.

Boyne Employment

Boyne Mountain employs a total of 245 people, and hires 234 extra for busy seasons. Boyne Highlands employs 392 people and hires 112 extra during busy seasons. Each resort makes over 500 new hires annually, with the majority of hiring taking place during the winter months. Jobs in the corporate office, housekeeping, and maintenance tend to be year-round, while most other positions are seasonal. Employment in the surrounding area is generally related to tourism, and includes retail and restaurant work.

Crystal Mountain Jobs >>>