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
12ft
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
12 ft
Annual snow
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.
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The Highlands At Harbor Springs Webcams
2 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About The Highlands At Harbor Springs's live webcams
Check live conditions across The Highlands At Harbor Springs with 2 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Main Lodge1,050ft
- Monitor base area activity through this Boyne Highlands webcam at the Main Lodge positioned at 320 meters elevation near Harbor Springs. This Boyne Highlands live cam captures the central hub and surrounding terrain at northern Michigan's premier family resort. Visitors use this live snow cam to check current conditions before exploring the diverse trails that make Boyne Highlands a Midwest skiing favorite.
- Day Lodge1,001ft
- Check base facilities through this Boyne Highlands webcam at the Day Lodge positioned at 305 meters elevation. This Boyne Highlands web cam provides views of guest arrivals and ski school operations. Michigan families use this Boyne Highlands live cam to assess crowd levels before making the trip to this charming northern Michigan ski destination overlooking Lake Michigan.
The Highlands At Harbor Springs snow cams FAQ
How often do The Highlands At Harbor Springs snow cams update?
All The Highlands At Harbor Springs snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at The Highlands At Harbor Springs.
Which The Highlands At Harbor Springs webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Main Lodge webcam at 320m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These The Highlands At Harbor Springs webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see The Highlands At Harbor Springs lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple The Highlands At Harbor Springs snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check The Highlands At Harbor Springs snow cams?
Check The Highlands At Harbor Springs webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying The Highlands At Harbor Springs lift tickets?
Use our The Highlands At Harbor Springs webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do The Highlands At Harbor Springs webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All The Highlands At Harbor Springs snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More The Highlands At Harbor Springs intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.