The Good Cold — Michigan Winter
Lake Charlevoix & Boyne Highlands Corridor · Town edition

Boyne City / Boyne Falls

Twin ski-town powerhouses offering elite alpine verticals, lively downtown bistros, and legendary Morel mushroom heritage.

Overheard in Boyne City / Boyne Falls
Boyne Mountain is credited with inventing the modern triple chairlift and snowmaking innovations that built the Midwest ski industry.
Why winter

Boyne City and Boyne Falls form the beating heart of Northern Michigan winter sports. Anchored by the massive vertical drops of Boyne Mountain Resort, the area pairs world-class skiing, indoor waterparks, and slope-side bonfires with a vibrant downtown Boyne City boasting exceptional dining and walkable lakeside pubs.

A random Saturday

Nothing planned. Here’s the plan.

A random Saturday · 01

Mountain Slopes & Alpine Pubs

Hit first chair at Boyne Mountain for morning downhill runs, grab lunch at Stiggs Brewing in downtown Boyne City, and return to the resort for evening music at Schnitz Mountain Bar.

Or try · 02

Waterpark Thaw & Wood-Fired Supper

Spend the morning snowshoeing Wildwood Preserve trails, warm up inside Avalanche Bay indoor waterpark, and finish with European raclette pizza and wine at Café Sante.

Michigan winter
Field note

Downtown Boyne City feels like a vibrant community that thrives year-round, completely separate from resort-only bubbles.

One good day

Morning skiing at Boyne Mountain, lunch at Café Sante in downtown Boyne City, afternoon waterpark session at Avalanche Bay, and BBQ dinner at Stiggs Brewing.

Make it a weekend

Stay at Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa, spend the weekend skiing, spa treatments, and dining across Boyne City and Boyne Falls.

Eat · good tables

Dinner, the warm part of the day.

  1. 01

    Café Sante

    European-Style Alpine Bistro · $$$

    A stunning European-style cafe in downtown Boyne City serving wood-fired pizzas, moules frites, comforting raclette, and artisanal cocktails.

    1 Severn Sq, Boyne City, MI 49712 · (231) 582-8800 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    The Inn at Boyne Falls (Deer Lake Pub)

    Slope-Side Resort Dining · $$

    Hearty resort dining and pub classics right at Boyne Mountain Resort, perfect after a day on the slopes.

    1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713 · (231) 549-6000 · Website ↗

  3. 03

    Red Mesa Grill

    Latin American & Caribbean Bistro · $$

    Vibrant, warm downtown atmosphere serving inventive Latin dishes, gourmet tacos, and tequila cocktails that chase away winter chill.

    115 S Lake St, Boyne City, MI 49712 · (231) 582-0000 · Website ↗

The winter table

What to eat, and how to make it at home.

Eat it at Café Sante

Wood-Fired Raclette Pizza & Alpine Cider

Stretch pizza dough, top with melted raclette cheese, caramelized onions, smoked bacon lardons, and fresh thyme, baked in a wood-fired oven.

Michigan winter
Michigan winter
Photo hunt

Three things most people walk past.

Boyne Mountain Slopes & Boyne City Marina (1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713)

  1. The illuminated ski lifts carrying skiers up Boyne Mountain against the evening snow.
  2. Swiss chalet gables of Mountain Grand Lodge glowing under festive winter lights.
  3. Frozen piers stretching out into Lake Charlevoix from downtown Boyne City.
A winter tall tale · as told in Boyne City / Boyne Falls

The Boyne Mountain Snow Cannon

In the pioneering winter of 1948, resort founder Everett Kircher reportedly hooked an experimental airplane propeller engine to an irrigation pipe on the slopes of Boyne Mountain to blow artificial snow uphill. Local farmers three miles away in Boyne Falls swore the contraption blew so hard it temporarily relocated their winter haystacks into their neighbors' apple orchards.

Tall tales grow in the telling. Take this one with road salt.

Michigan winter
Michigan winter
  1. 01

    Schnitz Mountain Bar (Boyne Mountain)

    Alpine Ski Lodge Pub · $$

    The ultimate après-ski party spot with live music, German biers on tap, and outdoor fire pits overlooking the slopes.

    1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713 · (231) 549-6000 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen

    Downtown Craft Brewpub · $$

    Spacious downtown brewpub serving wood-smoked BBQ, artisan pizzas, and house-brewed stouts and IPAs.

    112 S Lake St, Boyne City, MI 49712 · (231) 497-6100 · Website ↗

After dark · places to land

The lights stay on.

Winter Firsts playing cards
In the pictureWinter Firsts playing cardsFor the euchre rematch nobody asked for, at a corner table in Boyne City / Boyne Falls.From the General Store →
Coffee & breakfast · start here

Hands around a hot cup.

  1. 01

    Biscotti's Cafe

    Coffee & breakfast

    Resort coffee, lattes, and breakfast pastries right inside the Mountain Grand Lodge.

    1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713 · (231) 549-6000 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Kilwins Boyne City

    Coffee & breakfast

    Hot chocolates, fudge, and sweet treats in downtown Boyne City.

    220 S Lake St, Boyne City, MI 49712 · (231) 582-2252 · Website ↗

The First Shovel coffee
In the pictureThe First Shovel coffeeFor the morning the driveway disappears. Brew a pot before you dig out.From the General Store →
  1. 01

    Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding at Boyne Mountain

    Outside

    60 downhill runs, 12 lifts, terrain parks, and massive vertical drops across two distinct mountain peaks.

    1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark

    Outside

    Michigan's largest indoor waterpark (88 degrees year-round) featuring surf simulators and water slides just steps from the ski slopes.

    1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713 · Website ↗

  3. 03

    Boyne Mountain Snow Sports Rental Shop

    Rent the gear

    Full downhill, snowboard, cross-country ski, and snowshoe rentals

    1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49683 · Website ↗

Outside · ways out the door

Go stand in it.

Rib-knit beanie
In the pictureRib-knit beanieSmall deer. Big ears covered. The Boyne City / Boyne Falls wind does the rest.From the General Store →
Field note

Gathering at Schnitz Mountain Bar at twilight for Austrian pretzels and craft beer.

Michigan winter
Local customs
  • Transitioning directly from ski boots to an 88-degree indoor waterpark surf wave at Avalanche Bay.
  • Downtown Boyne City feels like a vibrant community that thrives year-round, completely separate from resort-only bubbles.
  • Stiggs Brewing Co. and Café Sante serve as the lively evening living rooms for local skiers and residents.
Local custom

Gathering at Schnitz Mountain Bar at twilight for Austrian pretzels and craft beer.

On the calendar · 2026–27

Dates worth the drive.

Circle it

Late December & February weekends

Boyne Mountain Open / Holiday Fest & Torchlight Parade

Torchlight ski descents, fireworks, live music, and outdoor winter celebrations.

Organizer ↗

Circle it

First Saturday in December

Boyne City Holiday Tree Lighting

Organizer ↗

Dates come from organizers and change. Check before you drive.

Michigan winter
  1. 01

    Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa

    Luxury Alpine Resort Hotel · $$$$

    Swiss-style alpine resort hotel connected directly to Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, full-service spa, and downhill ski lifts.

    1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713 · (231) 549-6000 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Waterfront Hotel & Inn

    Downtown Lakeside Hotel · $$

    Charming downtown lodging right on the shores of Lake Charlevoix, walkable to Café Sante and Stiggs Brewing.

    113 S Lake St, Boyne City, MI 49712 · (231) 582-0000 · Website ↗

Stay · places to wake up

Where to wake up.

Bring a little Boyne City / Boyne Falls homeThe statement sweatshirtFor winning arguments about who had it worse.Have a look ↗
We checked

boynemountain.com · cafesantecm.com · stiggsbrewingcompany.com

Good to know: Boyne Mountain is a major regional resort; weekend lodging books out early throughout winter.

Reviewed October 2026. Hours, prices and dates move; call ahead in January and February.