Snowmaking at Boyne Mountain – Photos – 2020 / 2021
December 8, 2020
IT’S OFFICIAL: The 2020/21 winter season kicks off on Wednesday, December 16 at 9am! Access is limited to our season passholders, Ikon passholders, and resort lodging guests ONLY. We anticipate opening with two lifts and three runs, but stay tuned for more terrain updates as we continue snowmaking operations whenever temperatures permit.
Lift ticket holders are added to the mix on Saturday, December 19. Secure your spot online in advance, as same-day lift tickets may not be available at the window through January 2. Season passholders who have not received their passes in the mail may pick up at the NEW Season Pass window, keep in mind many passes are en route.
Be sure to review all of our safety guidelines before you arrive – pack that face mask and your social distancing skills.
<>
<>
Visit Boyne Mountain Website >>>>
<>
December 7, 2020
Boyne Mountain Snow Report – 12/07
We currently don’t have a set opening date for the 2020/21 season. We’re doing our snow dances and are ready to go as soon as Mother Nature allows.
Think snow!
<>
Better than coffee.😍
Opening Day announcement coming soon!!
<>
<>
Visit Boyne Mountain Website >>>>
<>
December 6, 2020
Boyne Mountain – Snowmakers busy this weekend!
Thank you snowmakers! Clapping hands sign
Our team took full advantage of this weekend’s cold temps, and as you can see, they’ve made some serious progress.Snowflake
<>
<>
<>
The Midwest’s Best Snow is at BOYNE!
Throughout Michigan and the Midwest, the BOYNE name is synonymous with outstanding snow. And at Boyne Mountain, we’re proud to be a vital part of that legacy.
Since the 1950s, we have maintained our commitment to snowmaking – and to the constant refinement of both our equipment and our techniques. As years passed, our demands outpaced the industry, leading us to become snowmaking innovators in the mid-1970s, when we filed our first snowmaking patents.
Through our consistent dedication and investment – with intensified efforts over the course of the past three years – BOYNE now has the largest, most efficient snowmaking system in the Midwest. At Boyne Mountain, that difference is clear. And the addition of proprietary Boyne Low-E fan guns has helped us to better mimic natural snow, securing our place as one of the region’s top winter vacation destinations, with Michigan’s most reliable skiing and snowboarding, all season long.
Why the New Boyne Low-E Fan Snowmaking Guns make BOYNE a Superior Winter Vacation Destination?
BOYNE has become well known for being one of Michigan’s most popular winter vacation destinations. Our snowmaking ability is one of the many reasons why. Snowmaking essentially consists of pulling water from a reservoir or water source, pumping it onto the mountain, and combining it with compressed air to convert as much water into frozen snow crystals as possible. The frozen particles settle to the ground and any water droplets that do not freeze, drain through the surface.
So what makes BOYNE snowmaking unique? The difference is in design modifications made to the newest snowmaking guns in our fleet – hence the unveiling of the Boyne Low-E fan gun. The Boyne Low-E gun is more efficient than ever at converting water into snow crystals – especially at marginal temperatures (above 25 degrees). This greatly improves snow quality and lessens icy build-up while boosting energy and water efficiencies, more than any previous technology. Over 250 of these new guns are making snow this winter at BOYNE, representing a significant percentage of the terrain coverage and resulting in the ability to stay one of Michigan’s top choice for family winter vacation – whether Mother Nature provides the snow or we do.
The core of the Boyne Low-E fan gun includes a new seeder and manifold design that when combined with the augmented barrel shape, leads to improved mixing of the seed with water from the spray nozzles. Thus, we can create a lighter, low moisture snow that dramatically enhances surface conditions. The magical transformation of water to snow requires all processes to work in conjunction.
With the Boyne Low-E fan gun, compressed air is injected with a very small amount of water in an inner ring at the center of the gun. This compressed air/water mixture then freezes as it’s propelled by the fan and nucleates with water from the outside nozzles creating crystals. The extended and tapered nose cone adds about 18 inches to the overall length and improves expansion cooling as the air leaves the gun. The greater the expansion cooling, the more water freezes. The unique shape and additional length raises velocity and distributes snow further allowing more hang time for powdery snow. However, the true secret weapon in this snow gun is the exclusive Boyne designed water bath technology that is capable of yielding higher production output while achieving lower energy consumption. The combination of each of these modifications has created a one-of-a-kind fan gun only found at Boyne’s North American resorts – making this winter vacation destination an obvious choice.
The composition of the proprietary Boyne Low-E fan gun is courtesy of BOYNE’s snowmaking masterminds and our long-time friends from the world’s leading snow gun manufacturer, SMI of Midland, Michigan. Each new Low-E fan gun is built on resort grounds and previous models are reclaimed and converted with the necessary upgrades.
Snowmaking at BOYNE continues to be one of the many reasons we are Michigan’s top winter vacation destinations. Our snowmaking abilities make it possible to keep skiing and snowboarding conditions ideal so guests can utilize every minute on the slopes.
<>
Visit Boyne Mountain Website >>>>
More News From Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands
Join the folks from local radio station Z-93 for a Ski Day at The Homestead. They bring the notorious Hummer for the live remote and play the stations music while you glide down the slopes between 2pm – 5pm. What a great way for local kids and families enjoy the afternoon of a half day of school! Note: transportation via BATA bus is available from Glen Lake School to The Homestead for just $1.50 per one way.
