As we gently bobbed our way to the top of Boyne Mountain via chairlift, my daughter perceptively asked if Cinderella was also somewhere on vacation with us. Like the Fairy Godmother herself has sprinkled some sort of magic dust upon us all, we were transfixed by the perfect Michigan evening—wildflowers, song birds, and at least twelve field mice to carry a stage coach to a ball later that night.

One week into our Great Lakes Road Trip, the kids were fighting, the “maintenance” light was now permanently on in the minivan, and we were all one straw away from a total melt down. Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Michigan was a perfect diversion in many ways. Feeling more like a trip to a chalet in Switzerland, Boyne Mountain has been a popular winter and summer vacation destination in upper, lower Michigan for 60 years.

Guests in the Grand Lodge and Spa, we enjoyed our spacious accommodations, including a full kitchen, living area, and deck overlooking the village and happy families playing games down on the groomed lawn. Popping popcorn and nibbling on hunks of apple-cinnamon bread from a local bakery, we enjoyed the gift of personal space for one night. “Awesomeness” confirmed by our oldest son, the kids strategically chose their respective bunk beds for the best Sponge Bob vantage in the Salzburg Suite Kids Chalet. Like a private “fort” just for them, the blue door remained closed to keep adults out (we all loved this idea).

Begrudgingly, we left our room to nibble straw on a tractor-drawn hay ride, watch adventurous people zipping down the last of a ten-part Zipline Adventure course, spot the downhill mountain bikers who raced under our chairlift, and go back and forth between the divider separating the indoor/outdoor pool. Tennis courts, disc golf, and complimentary paddle boats at nearby Deer Lake are on our “next visit” list (Did I mention we went between the indoor and outdoor pool “zones” a number of times?).

Refreshed from a night where even the pillows were stacked like a mountain range, we donned our still-moist bathing suits and flip-flopped over to the attached Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark (sadly, way more cool than the very nice indoor/outdoor pool). Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark, the facility boasts 88,000 square feet of aquatic fun, two eateries, and an additional 7,000 square foot arcade.

With warm (not too hot, not too cold) water and a decent sized toddler area, we shot baskets, squirted each other, and took turns taking the older two kids down the open and enclosed water slides. I even crossed one item off my personal “bucket” list with a trip town the Vertigo Cannonbowl slide (Described best by my friend Bonnie; you are “flushed” out into the lazy river below.).We even scrounged up enough arcade tickets for a pair of Chinese handcuffs (a perfect road trip prize, by the way).

A Michigan resident for many years, I’ve heard people near and far speak highly of Boyne Mountain, the ski area, waterpark, and resort. Sixty years old and still young at heat, a trip to Boyne Falls is worth asking, “What are you up for?”

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