We’ve been talking a lot lately about Boyne’s Victor Glacier… and for good reason. The resort has poured serious effort into stockpiling snow and pushing the limits of what’s possible for Midwest skiing. But this season, Mother Nature decided to lend a hand too. When the lifts stopped spinning on Monday, May 25, Boyne officially wrapped up the longest ski season in resort history and one of the most legendary winters the Midwest has seen in years.
Boyne’s Glacier Experiment Became Something Bigger
While skiing into mid-April is pretty normal at Boyne, last season marked the first real test of the Victor Glacier concept. The goal was simple: pile up enough snow to see just how far they could stretch the season and whether people would actually show up for late spring skiing. Turns out… they absolutely would. Last year’s experiment pushed operations all the way to May 19.
Midwest Snow Machine Went Nuclear
This winter came out swinging right from the start. The Great Lakes snow machine fired up early, blasting the upper Midwest with a huge Thanksgiving storm that helped Boyne kick off the season strong on December 5, 2025. From there, winter just kept delivering. Consistent cold temps, very few thaw cycles, and a massive late March storm created the perfect setup for another late season push. Pair that with aggressive snowmaking and Boyne built an incredibly solid base on Victor Glacier. Even when April brought warmer weather, the grooming crews somehow kept the dream alive week after week.
And now, the curtain has officially closed on one of the wildest ski seasons Michigan has ever seen.
Five Feet of Snow… in Late May?!
Riders squeezed in final turns all Memorial Day weekend long with a whopping five feet of snow still holding strong on Victor Glacier. Saturday started gloomy with light rain and overcast skies, but conditions improved Sunday before Monday delivered bluebird skies and warm spring temps for one final perfect day on the hill.
Spring Skiing, Donuts, and One Last Party
The weekend felt more like a celebration than a closing day. The Victor Glacier Party with the Boyne Forever Foundation brought out coffee, donuts, and a silent auction featuring Shaggy’s skis and Salomon bindings. More than anything though, the atmosphere felt like everyone knew they were witnessing something special. For the skiers and snowboarders who made late May turns in Michigan, it’s one of those “I was there” moments that’ll get talked about for years.
Boyne also wasn’t alone in shutting things down this weekend. Palisades Tahoe in California and Killington in Vermont both wrapped up their seasons too, leaving just two ski areas still operating in the United States: Mammoth Mountain in California and Timberline Lodge in Oregon.
Last Ski Resorts Standing in America
Mammoth is still spinning six lifts with 42 trails open, operating daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., plus the bike park is open allowing for dual sport days. Mammoth is currently targeting a May 31 closing date, although additional extensions remain possible depending on conditions. Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest even with one of the worst winters on record, Timberline Lodge is planning to stay open until at least July 19 due to the Palmer Snowfield.
And honestly, what Boyne pulled off this season proves that with enough snow, cold temps, and determination, Midwest skiing can hang a whole lot longer than most people ever imagined.
