The Highlands At Harbor Springs
435 acres, 55 runs near Harbor Springs. Home of the world's first triple chairlift, Ikon Pass.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
4 Dec 2026
Closes
21 Mar 2027
Days open
107
Annual snow
140in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
The Highlands at Harbor Springs, long known as Boyne Highlands, has a summit at 1,289 feet dropping 544 vertical feet to a base at 745 feet across 55 runs spread over 435 acres near Harbor Springs, Michigan. Terrain splits 36 per cent beginner, 31 per cent advanced, 31 per cent intermediate and 2 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 140 inches. The resort carries Ikon Pass access. Ten lifts, including four quad chairs and four triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside two surface lifts.
The resort holds a notable place in lift history: its original chairlifts, installed in 1963, were the first triple chairlifts anywhere in the world. This engineering milestone reflects the broader innovation culture of Boyne Resorts' founder Everett Kircher, whose company built the property into one of Northern Michigan's premier four-season destinations. Extensive snowmaking and night skiing support consistent conditions across the resort's beginner-to-advanced terrain mix.
The site first opened in 1955 as Harbor Highlands with a single slope and rope tow, but the venture struggled financially and closed. Boyne Resorts, led by founder Everett Kircher, purchased the property in the early 1960s along with an adjoining 2,900 acres to the north, paying off existing creditors and making shareholders whole as part of the deal. The resort reopened as Boyne Highlands in 1963 with 11 trails, five lifts and the Highlands Inn, headlined by the world's first triple chairlifts.
The resort operated as Boyne Highlands for nearly six decades before being renamed The Highlands at Harbor Springs in December 2021. Adult daily tickets run from 85 to 105 US dollars, with season passes from 599 dollars for the Classic Highlands option and Boyne's broader Michigan Gold Pass from 899 dollars. The resort remains part of Boyne Resorts' Michigan portfolio alongside Boyne Mountain.
545ft
Vertical
55
Runs
435 acres
Skiable
140in
Annual snow
Ikon
Pass
The Terrain
55 runs across 435 acres skiable
The Highlands at Harbor Springs, formerly Boyne Highlands, spreads across 435 acres (176 hectares) in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. The base sits at 740 ft (227 m) and the top at 1,290 ft (393 m), a vertical of 540 ft (166 m). Its 55 runs split 36% beginner, 31% intermediate, 31% advanced and 2% expert, a comfortable fit for families and mixed groups. Four quad chairs, four triple chairs and two surface lifts move skiers around, a deep lift network by Midwest standards that keeps lines under control and makes lapping the mountain easy.
Heather is the signature blue run, a solid warm-up off the Heather high-speed quad, which was installed in 1990. North Challenger and Camelot offer longer intermediate descents with a consistent pitch, while MacGully and Hemlock give advanced skiers a proper challenge, particularly after fresh snow. Expert terrain is only a sliver of the trail count, so this is not a mountain for steep-seekers. The Highlands suits families, intermediates and Ikon Pass holders touring the Midwest who want organised, lift-served skiing with plenty of choice on a modest vertical.
Terrain split
55
runs
55 runs across 4 grades
Beginner20 runs · 36%
Intermediate17 runs · 31%
Advanced17 runs · 31%
Expert1 run · 2%
Time it right
When to visit The Highlands At Harbor Springs
The 2025-26 season at The Highlands at Harbor Springs ran from 6 December 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly eighteen-week season. Average annual snowfall of around 140 inches, supplemented by extensive snowmaking, supports this operating window across the resort's beginner-to-advanced terrain mix. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most reliable natural conditions to the resort's modest but varied terrain. Night skiing extends the useful ski day for the resort's Northern Michigan visitor base, a significant part of its identity as a four-season destination. As an Ikon Pass property, the resort draws visitors beyond its immediate regional catchment, with weekends and holiday periods bringing heavier crowds.
The resort's Highlands Inn and broader lodging and amenity offerings support year-round tourism to the Harbor Springs area, with skiing as the primary winter draw. School holiday periods bring significant family visitation given the resort's substantial beginner-weighted terrain. The December 2021 rebrand to The Highlands at Harbor Springs has been accompanied by continued investment from parent company Boyne Resorts.
Specific event programming beyond standard lift operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The resort's status as home to the world's first triple chairlift, installed in 1963, remains a point of historical distinction referenced throughout its marketing and identity. Its Ikon Pass access continues to bring a broader mix of destination and regional visitors through the season.
Season 2026 - 2027
4 Dec 2026
Opens
21 Mar 2027
Closes
107
Days open
140 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at The Highlands At Harbor Springs
Daily snow reports at The Highlands At Harbor Springs go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
4 in
Snowiest day
6 Dec 2025
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
29 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to The Highlands At Harbor Springs, and where to stay
The Highlands at Harbor Springs sits near Harbor Springs in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, with a base elevation of 745 feet and a summit at 1,289 feet across a 544-foot vertical drop over 435 acres. This is a popular Northern Michigan resort region known for its lakeside towns and four-season tourism.
Harbor Springs itself is a well-known lakeside town on Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay, offering upscale lodging, dining and shopping alongside the resort's own on-site facilities. The broader region, including nearby Petoskey, draws visitors year-round for its combination of lake recreation, golf and skiing. Boyne Mountain, the resort's sister property under Boyne Resorts, sits a short distance to the south.
US Route 31 and state highways connect Harbor Springs to the broader Northern Michigan road network, with the resort a short drive from the town centre. Winter driving conditions in the region can include lake-effect snow and ice, though the well-travelled routes around Harbor Springs and Petoskey are regularly maintained. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Pellston Regional Airport offers limited commercial service nearby, while Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City and airports in Detroit and Grand Rapids provide more extensive flight options for visitors travelling from further afield. Most visitors drive to the resort from within Michigan or neighbouring Midwest states rather than flying directly into the immediate area.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near The Highlands At Harbor Springs, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is The Highlands At Harbor Springs's ski season?
The Highlands At Harbor Springs's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 4 through March 21. That window is roughly 107 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Michigan, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does The Highlands At Harbor Springs have?
The Highlands At Harbor Springs lists about 435 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 55 named runs (176 hectares alongside 435 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at The Highlands At Harbor Springs?
Trail grading at The Highlands At Harbor Springs breaks down roughly as 36% beginner, 31% intermediate, 31% advanced, 2% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does The Highlands At Harbor Springs have?
The Highlands At Harbor Springs operates 10 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 4 quad chairs, 4 triple chairs, and 2 surface lifts.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at The Highlands At Harbor Springs?
Base elevation at The Highlands At Harbor Springs is about 745 ft (227 m), with the summit around 1,289 ft (393 m), giving roughly 545 ft (166 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does The Highlands At Harbor Springs get each season?
The Highlands At Harbor Springs averages about 140 inches (356 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does The Highlands At Harbor Springs accept the Ikon?
The Highlands At Harbor Springs is affiliated with the Ikon. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Ikon, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy The Highlands At Harbor Springs lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$35 to US$105, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at The Highlands At Harbor Springs before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for The Highlands At Harbor Springs so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does The Highlands At Harbor Springs have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for The Highlands At Harbor Springs. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is The Highlands At Harbor Springs located?
The Highlands At Harbor Springs sits in Michigan, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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