The Legacy Lives On

"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.

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.

What a typical weekend in the 1950s at Boyne Ski Club looked like, complete with Stein Eriksen's coveted front flip. Thanks to Stein, the first inverted aerial in the world happened at the bottom of Victor. Take a visit to Eriksen's Restaurant in the Clock Tower Lodge to reminisce about the days when the dashing Stein showed up to teach lessons wearing one of his famous ski sweaters.

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

Inspired by many ski vacations west and overseas, the Kirchers found a way to bring the Swiss alps home to Michigan.

And then there was golf. The opening of The Alpine made Boyne Mountain part of people's summer plans, and this 18-hole course was the first.

Boyne Mountain opened the Civic Center, a large conference and meeting center with a capacity of 850 people.

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.

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.

Boyne Mountain proudly unveiled America's first six-seat, high-speed chairlift, the Mountain Express.

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.

Everett Kircher, who founded Boyne Resorts ski empire, which offered technical advances on the country's slopes, dies at age 85.

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.

BOYNE introduced its Low-E fan gun technology, and the commitment to high-output, low-energy snowmaking continues stronger than ever. The ability to make greater quantities of snow with less compressed air creates the best possible surface conditions and reduces energy consumption while increasing output.

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.

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.

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.

Renovated salon space with new pedicure lounge, nail and hair stations, and retail space. Newly laid out boutique, front desk, and shelving.

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 no bother in sight.

Mountain Express RFID gates and nine pickup box terminals throughout the property were installed in the late summer of 2021.

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.

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.

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.

On-going annual investments to continue to expand our snowmaking capability and increase automation.

Quickly becoming one of northern Michigan's most desired wedding and dining venues, the Deer Lake lawn and beach offer a desirable opportunity to enhance the space offerings. We dream of Lake Como charm with Italian-inspired dishes served indoors and out. A beautifully constructed pavilion to host the most important events holds the future. Whichever direction we go, know this project ranks high on our list.

Years ago, we brought in the legendary Pete Dye to work his magic and design an absolute showstopper of a golf course up here at Boyne Mountain. And now, with the golf industry roaring back to life, this hidden gem is about to have its moment in the sun.