Climb Every Mountain

Treat the family to an action-packed visit to
Boyne Mountain Resort.

WRITTEN BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN

Whirlpool tubs, cedar saunas and aromatherapy are among the offerings at Boyne
Mountain's Solace Spa, the largest in Michigan.

Looking for a family escape that
won't break the bank? And it's less
than four hours from Metro Detroit?
Head for hills — or the mountain.
Boyne Mountain, a quick jaunt for
daytripping at nearby Petoskey and
Traverse City, first opened as the
Boyne Ski Club in 1948. Since then,
it has transformed into three distinct
four-season resorts, all framing Lake
Michigan's Little Traverse Bay. One of
these, Boyne Mountain Resort, offers
a something-for-everyone conglom-
erate of enticement. In addition to
sublime skiing and gorgeous golfing,
Boyne Mountain Resort offers a range
of accomodations, activities (many at
no charge), a spa, an indoor waterpark,
restaurants, babysitting options and
more. Here, a checklist of what not to
miss during your visit.
LODGING Thrill the kids with a
stay at the Mountain Grand Lodge
and Spa, where some suites let them
bunk up in their own "chalet," replete

Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
BBArtCenter.org

Grab a friend for a doubles ride

down the Vertigo Cannonball Slide at

Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark.

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with TV and bean bag, and an
indoor-to-outdoor pool illuminated
for nighttime swimming — and heat-
ed for wintertime dips.
PAMPERING Tucked inside the
lodge is the Solace Spa, 18,000-
square-feet (the largest in Michigan)
of luxury. Named one of the "Best
Spas in the World" by Spa Magazine,
it offers cedar saunas, soothing whirl-
pools, a salon and, of course, a full
menu of rejuvenating treatments. Try
the Hot Toddy for the Body, an 80-
minute indulgence of heavenly scent-
ed body exfoliation, scalp massage
and body wrap. Follow your treatment
with Pilates or a belly-dancing class,
or unwind in front of the fire in the
relaxation room. Kids can get in on
the action too — those six and up are
invited to Family Nights the third
Tuesday of each month.
WATERWORLD The highlight of
every kid's vacation (and maybe yours),
Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark
offers five waterslides, a shallow kids'
pool, even a surf simulator.
FUN, FUN, FUN And much of it
is free. Hiking trails, scenic chair-
lift rides, hayrides, s'mores around
a campfire, biking, fishing, Movie
Night and more. During the week-
end of Oct. 30-Nov. 1, check out
Avalanche Bay's annual Halloween
Hoopla, with arts and crafts, cider
and doughnuts and trick-or-treating,
plus a lodging package that includes
waterpark access. II