Many of our guests ski two mountains on one trip: a day at Schuss Mountain, ten minutes from downtown Bellaire, and a day at Boyne Mountain, under an hour north. You stay in one house and get two very different ski days. Here's how we'd plan it.
When to go
- Schuss: Shanty Creek projects opening day on December 5, 2026, with daily skiing from December 12. Details are in our Schuss 2026–27 season guide.
- Boyne: opening day isn't announced yet. From December 18, 2026, Boyne lists slopes open until 9pm Wednesday to Saturday. See our Boyne Mountain guide.
- Busiest dates: December 26 to January 2, MLK weekend and Presidents' Day weekend. Book lodging early for these.
All dates depend on the weather, so check both resorts before you drive.
Friday: arrive
- Afternoon: drive up and stock the kitchen.
- Evening: dinner downtown at Short's Brewing Company or Chloe's, then the hot tub.
- Tonight: buy Boyne lift tickets online if you haven't. Boyne's prices go up as the date gets closer.
Day 1: Schuss Mountain
- Morning: ski Schuss while the groomers are fresh. It's ten minutes from town, so there's no early alarm. See our Schuss Mountain guide.
- Afternoon: keep skiing, or take the kids tubing at Summit Mountain, projected to open December 19.
- Evening: night skiing at Schuss is projected to start December 26, Wednesday to Saturday. Or head home for dinner and a fire.
Day 2: Boyne Mountain
- Morning: leave around 8am to be on the hill near 9. Take M-88 to Mancelona, then US-131 north to Boyne Falls.
- On the hill: ride Disciples 8 and Mountain Express and explore 65 trails and five terrain parks.
- With kids: split the day between the slopes and Avalanche Bay, the indoor waterpark kept at 84 degrees.
- Evening: stay for night skiing on Wednesday to Saturday, or walk SkyBridge during Lights in the Sky. Then drive back to the house.
Day 3 (optional): The Highlands or Nub's Nob
Have an extra day? Drive about an hour and a half north to The Highlands at Harbor Springs, the biggest ski area in the Lower Peninsula, or Nub's Nob next door. Or keep it easy with one more half day at Schuss before you head home.
Tickets and passes
| Schuss Mountain | Boyne Mountain | |
|---|---|---|
| How to buy | Shanty Creek tickets and passes | Online, by date. Buy early |
| Ikon Pass | Not included | 7 days (Ikon), 5 days (Ikon Base) |
| Kids deal | Kids 8 and under ski for $10 all season | Kids 5 and under ski for $1 with a paying adult |
| Best value | Weekday specials, like two tickets for $95 on Two-for-Tuesdays | Buy online early |
Schuss specials run on weekdays from mid-December to mid-March, not on holidays, and are sold at the ticket window. Full details in the season guide.
Tips
- Ski Schuss on the day the weather looks worse. It's close to home.
- Allow extra time for the drive to Boyne when it's snowing.
- Pack swimsuits if you have kids. Avalanche Bay is a good break between ski runs.
- Bring a dry pair of gloves for day two.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Boyne Mountain from Schuss Mountain?
About 30 miles, usually under an hour by M-88 and US-131.
Can one lift ticket cover Schuss and Boyne?
No. Schuss sells its own tickets and passes. Boyne Mountain is on the Ikon Pass and the Boyne Michigan Pass.
Where should we stay to ski Schuss and Boyne?
Near Bellaire. Northwoods Treehaus is at Schuss Mountain Resort, Alm Haus is about five minutes away, and both are about 30 miles from Boyne Mountain.
When does ski season start at Schuss and Boyne?
Schuss projects opening day on December 5, 2026, with daily skiing from December 12. Boyne has not announced opening day yet.
Sources
Schuss dates and deals from Shanty Creek Resorts, as summarized in our 2026–27 season guide. Boyne details from Boyne Mountain's mountain stats, lift tickets, Avalanche Bay and SkyBridge pages, and Ikon access from Ikon Pass. The Highlands from its resort stats. Distances are approximate road miles from our homes. Checked November 2, 2026.