Last winter Boyne made HUGE news announcing they were going to try and keep lifts spinning until Memorial Day. Just saying that out loud was a big deal. And yeah, technically they made it. But it left everyone wondering was that a one off winter or are they really about claiming the Midwest crown as Kings of Spring every season? Now we’ve got our answer. Hell yes they’re trying for it!
Earning Every Turn
Unlike most spots on our best places for spring skiing list, like Mammoth or Mt. Bachelor, which are built for long seasons with consistent storms and favorable terrain, Boyne has to grind for every extra turn. Making it to May here isn’t automatic, and even late March or April can be a stretch. It takes real effort, including building and maintaining their own “glacier” to keep snow on the hill.
New Season New Energy
What’s different this season though is the vibe. Last year felt like they were shouting from the rooftops. This year it’s way more low key like yeah we do this now. No need to flex when you’ve already proven it.
Midwesterners Live For Skiing
Midwest skiers are built different, just like their East Coast cousins. No matter what Mother Nature throws down, people still show up. There’s always been this idea that once spring hits though, folks are done with snow sliding, but Boyne is proving that’s not true at all.
Mt Bohemia Says Hold Up!
Before you crown Boyne Mountain, there’s another Michigan ski area up north that has something to say. Mt. Bohemia is one of those rare places blessed with heavy snowfall, and its location near Lake Superior helps it stay colder than Boyne Mountain. Since 2018, the two have had a friendly rivalry to see who can stretch the season the longest. And Mt. Bohemia, running on 100 percent natural snow, is aiming to keep lifts turning through Mother’s Day on May 10, which is impressive in its own right. While these two might be leading the charge for spring skiing in the Midwest, they’re not alone. In Michigan, Ski Brule and Norway Mountain are still holding it down on weekends as long as conditions allow.
As of the weekend of April 17th Boyne had four lifts spinning and 10 trails open including their Victor Glacier setup.
And that’s the thing about spring skiing in the Midwest. It’s not just about who stays open the longest, it’s about who refuses to let go when winter is already halfway out the door. Whether it’s Boyne pushing toward May or Mt. Bohemia hanging on with pure natural snow, the season doesn’t really end here so much as it fades out on its own terms.
