Get Wet
& Wild at Boyne Mountain's Avalanch Bay
by Beth Garcia
As
the remaining cool of winter gives way
to brisk spring, families are gearing
up for those few weeks of spring break
that have them loading up their minivans
and SUVs and heading toward the water.
However, if the coast of Florida or the
sunshine of the California coast is just
too far to travel for spring break, Michigan's
resort city Boyne Falls might just offer
enough warm water with its 88,000-square-foot
indoor water park - Avalanche
Bay.
 |
Boyne Mountain ’s Grand Lodge & Spa |
Located at the Northern Michigan resort
Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, Avalanche
Bay is the state's largest indoor water
park, offering food, fun and water in
its fully-enclosed, 84-degree play area.
Carefully tucked inside Boyne Mountain's
expansive Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa,
Avalanche Bay gives families an water-friendly
travel option, even during those cool
spring days when the water temperatures
outside run chilly.
Avalanche Bay closely mirrors the Swiss-Austrian
design of its accompanying Mountain Grand
Lodge, complete with artificial, snow-covered
mountain tops and cozy eateries.
Featuring a variety of water-related activities
for all ages, Avalanche Bay gives families
of all varieties a multitude of options.
From the relaxing Boyne River and Glacier
Hot Springs where visitors can leisurely
enjoy both warm and cool water temperatures,
to the Super G and Rip Zone where more
adventurous visitors can experience the
best in water excitement - Avalanche Bay
gives both children and adults hours of
summertime fun all year long.
After taking the young ones into the kiddy
pool, or watching teens attempt indoor
surfing at the Rip Zone, parents can gather
the family for some food at Avalanche's
two eateries - the Snack Shack and Après
Ski Pub. For a more adult-friendly afternoon
snack, the Après Ski Pub also serves
alcoholic beverages in its more sport-bar
atmosphere.
 |
Haute Route Water Crossing
at Avalanche Bay |
A day of water park fun - which typically
runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and costs
between $19-30 - kids can hit the game-filled
arcade, located inside the Mountain Grand
Lodge near Avalanche Bay. The arcade features
old gaming favorites such as Skeeball
and Ms. Pacman, which both parents and
kids are sure to enjoy.
Visiting this family-friendly water park
is made simple with the 220-luxury rooms
inside the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa.
The 4-star resort, though accommodating
enough for a romantic weekend away, also
adds great children friendly touches including
and indoor/outdoor pool and outdoor hot
tubs - which are a fantastic way to enjoy
the winter wonderland of Boyne without
catching a chill.
Each room and suite comes with a ready-to-use
dinning area and kitchen, complete with
a coffee maker, usage refrigerator, microwave,
dishes and utensils. Sitting adjacent
to the Boyne Mountain slope, the Mountain
Grand Lodge is a great place for families
who not only want to enjoy Avalanche,
but also the resorts grand ski slopes,
restaurants and nightlife.
For an enjoyable family dinner, or romantic
late night snack, visitors can grab a
bite to eat at Everett's Restaurant and
Lounge or Das Café, both located
inside the Grand Lodge. However, those
looking for more eating options can venture
outside the lodge to a variety of eateries
including Pierson's, Eriksen's or even
the Trophy Room. The more than half a
dozen restaurants and pubs give Avalanche
visitors choices for all palettes.
 |
Indoor/Outdoor Pool
at Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa |
Parents wanting to sneak away for a more
adult-friendly afternoon can take advantage
of Avalanche Bay's Play Care, where educational
supervisors can keep children busy with
cognitive, yet fun activities while mom
and dad run off to play. The water park
also offers Fritz and Friends Kids Camp
for children ages 6-12, a weekend camp
where kids can enjoy water activities,
create crafts and more.
During these kids-friendly events, parents
can head to the Solace Spa, a premiere
spa located inside the Mountain Grand
Lodge.
Follow a day of fun at Avalanche Bay and
a quaint dinner, families can gather together
for one of the many evening events held
at the Lodge including weekend movies,
horse-drawn sleigh rides and hot coca-inspired
bonfires.
Families looking for that next great spring
break location, when the temperatures
are still slightly chilly, can head into
Boyne Falls, Mich. and enjoy a bit of
summer indoors at Avalanche.
IF
YOU GO…
Avalanche
Bay
Boyne Mountain
1 Boyne Mountain Road
Boyne Falls, Mich. 49713
(231) 549-6000
Mountain
Grand Lodge and Spa
Boyne Mountain
1 Boyne Mountain Road
Boyne Falls, Mich. 49713
(231) 549-6000
Boyne
Resorts
(800) GO Boyne
Read RTM's Review of Solace Spa at Boyne Mountain, MI |
