THE HIGHLANDS

📍Harbor Springs, Michigan, USA

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Cruiser 🟢 Beginner Friendly 🏞️ Scenic Cruiser 7 Days on Ikon ☀️ Year-round destination

Photo: Mr Swordfish2 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo details

Vertical drop: 552 ft
Skiable terrain: 435 acres
Avg snowfall: 140 in
Lifts: 8

Another season up here

BEYOND WINTER

Summer and fall bike park riding and scenic chairlift rides.

Explore summer activities ↗Make a mountain escape →

NORTHERN MICHIGAN / LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY

Northern Michigan's ski country occupies a unique geographical position—the "tip of the mitt" where Lakes Michigan and Huron create weather patterns t...

THE REGION

Northern Michigan's ski country occupies a unique geographical position—the "tip of the mitt" where Lakes Michigan and Huron create weather patterns that dump consistent lake-effect snow on forested hills. While the vertical may be modest by Rocky Mountain standards, this region offers something rare: legitimate skiing within a day's drive of much of the Midwest's population.

Harbor Springs anchors the eastern shore of Little Traverse Bay, a historic resort community that's been attracting families since the 1800s. Victorian cottages line the waterfront, century-old trees shade downtown streets, and the local culture values understated good taste over ostentatious display. The Boyne resorts developed this skiing industry while preserving the region's character.

The landscape here feels distinctly Great Lakes—rolling hills covered in hardwood forest, frozen bays visible from summit ridges, and that particular quality of winter light reflecting off massive bodies of water. January and February bring reliable cold and consistent snowfall, while spring arrives with maple syrup season and later sunsets.

What Northern Michigan offers beyond terrain is atmosphere. This is family vacation skiing at its purest—multi-generational trips where grandparents watch kids progress from bunny hills to black diamonds, where après-ski means hot chocolate and board games rather than bottle service, where the goal is time together rather than vertical conquered.

THE LOCAL SCENE

Northern Michigan skiing culture centers on family tradition. Many Midwest families have been coming to these resorts for three or four generations, creating communities where kids grow up skiing together and parents socialize in lodges their grandparents frequented.

Harbor Springs in particular maintains an old-money resort character—understated, traditional, and focused on multi-generational family activities. The après-ski scene emphasizes family dining and early bedtimes over nightclub energy.

GETTING THERE

Pellston Regional Airport is the nearest commercial airport. Traverse City offers another approach, with a drive of around two hours in good conditions. The resort is at 600 Highlands Drive outside Harbor Springs and offers free day parking.

WHEN TO GO

January and February are good months to plan for winter conditions in northern Michigan. The resort makes snow when temperatures permit. Check the mountain report for open terrain, especially early and late in the season.

BEYOND THE SLOPES

The region offers much more than skiing. Here's what else to explore:

🎭

Downtown Harbor Springs

Culture

Historic Main Street with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants in a walkable village setting

🏔️

Petoskey Stone Hunting

Outdoor

Search for Michigan's state stone—fossilized coral—along frozen lakeshores

🏔️

Tunnel of Trees Scenic Drive

Outdoor

Wind through M-119's famous canopy (stunning even in winter) along Lake Michigan

🍽️

Legs Inn

Dining

Save this Polish restaurant in Cross Village for a warm-season trip along M-119. It closes for winter.

🏔️

Cross-Country at Nub's Nob

Outdoor

Groomed Nordic trails adjacent to alpine skiing with lake views

🍽️

Petoskey Brewing

Dining

Local craft brewery in nearby Petoskey with rotating taps and casual atmosphere

WHERE TO STAY

Choose the Main Lodge for hotel rooms and suites near the slopes, with dining, ski valet and a pool. Heather Highlands Inn offers condo-style rooms with separate bedrooms and lofts. Ross Cottages and the Arthur Hills Townhouses provide more space near the golf courses. Check the route to the ski base from the particular home. Harbor Springs and Petoskey are town bases with a separate drive to the resort.

THE FOOD SCENE

Choose the Main Dining Room for a sit-down breakfast with hillside views. The Food Market in the Day Lodge works for a quicker lunch. In downtown Harbor Springs, Small Batch at the Cupola pairs breakfast and lunch with a bakery counter.

APRÈS & NIGHTLIFE

Slopeside Lounge in the Main Lodge serves gastropub food, Michigan beer and cocktails. It makes a convenient meeting place for a group finishing at different times.

INSIDER TIPS

💡Take the M-119 Tunnel of Trees drive when road and weather conditions allow.
💡For a family stay, compare the walk from your lodging to lessons and the lifts before choosing a unit.
💡North Peak gives intermediate skiers longer runs such as Floradora and Leslie’s Quest.

DESTINATION FACTS

Nearest Town

Harbor Springs

Population

~1,200

Elevation

623 ft (190 m)

Timezone

Eastern Time (EST/EDT)

LIVE WEATHER

Real-time conditions for planning your The Highlands trip

❄️Snow Depth 🌨️Precipitation 💨Wind 🌡️Temperature ☁️Visibility

Learn to read ski weather maps →

GETTING THERE

✈️

PLN

Pellston Regional

About 20–40 minutes

✈️

TVC

Cherry Capital

About 0.5–1.5 hours

Approximate planning ranges; allow extra time for winter conditions.

OVERNIGHT STAYS & CAMPERVANS

For The Highlands, compare a booked room or rental around Harbor Springs with a designated campsite that accepts your vehicle and winter dates. Choose your base around the daily mountain journey and the power, water and indoor facilities you need.

Compare lodging options ↗

Book a designated overnight place for your vehicle and dates. Day parking does not provide permission to camp.

Sources & planning context

Other names · Boyne Highlands

Local recommendations are editorial guidance. Travel times are approximate and depend on your route and conditions.

Typically late November to early April

A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.

Official schedules & conditions ↗

Schedule source ↗Official resort ↗

Summer and winter destination: Yes; Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Beyond winter: Summer and fall bike park riding and scenic chairlift rides.; Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Official website: https://www.highlandsharborsprings.com; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Night skiing: Scheduled · 2026–27 · 17:00–21:00 · Selected evenings, December 26–March 13 · Three lifts serve selected night terrain; open terrain varies with conditions.; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Vertical drop (ft): 552; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Skiable area (acres): 435; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Lifts: 8; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Runs: 55; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Reported average snowfall (in): 140; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Base elevation (ft): 773; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Summit elevation (ft): 1325; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026

Individual listings retain their own sources and check dates. A source check covers only the named details; it does not confirm availability. Snowfall averages describe climate, not a forecast.

Legs Inn ↗Cross Village seasonal restaurant closes for the winter. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Getting here ↗Pellston nearest commercial airport, Traverse City about two hours; free day parking. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Skiing and riding ↗Camelot is an easy mile-long run, Floradora and Leslie’s Quest intermediate North Peak runs, Rob Roy a black diamond. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Hotel Options – Main Lodge & Heather Highlands Inn | The Highlands ↗Heather Highlands Inn · condo-style units · separate bedrooms and loft spaces · up to 8 guests · near our ski hill · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

The Highlands · Main Lodge ↗The resort places renovated rooms inside the Main Lodge, near the slopes. It lists an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, dining and ski valet. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

The Highlands · Ross Cottages ↗These multibedroom vacation homes near the golf courses offer full kitchens and accommodation near the Main Lodge and ski base. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

The Highlands · Arthur Hills Townhouses ↗The operator describes multibedroom townhouses on the Arthur Hills Golf Course, with kitchen and dining areas. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

The Highlands · guest amenities ↗The resort lists the outdoor hot tub at Bartley House as a guest amenity. Its hotel directory currently directs bookings to Main Lodge and Heather Highlands Inn. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

The Highlands Ski & Snowboard Lessons ↗The Highlands offers private and group lessons for skiers and snowboarders, including kids’ programs. School check-in is near the bottom of Renate’s Express. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Ski & Snowboard Rentals | The Highlands ↗Ski rentals include skis, boots, and poles; snowboard rentals include a snowboard and boots. Helmets are available separately. Online reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Enter the Day Lodge through the Resort Services entrance; from the main floor the Rental Shop is on the left. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Dining Options at The Highlands | The Highlands ↗A Day Lodge food market with multiple lunch choices, quick energy snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Slopeside Lounge - Casuals Meals & Handcrafted Cocktails | The Highlands ↗A relaxed slopeside restaurant with a seasonal patio, serving lunch and dinner menus of burgers, sandwiches, salads, entrées, and appetizers. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Main Dining Room – Relaxed Breakfast & Dining | The Highlands ↗A relaxed, year-round breakfast dining room with hillside views on the second floor of the Main Lodge lobby. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Small Batch at the Cupola ↗The restaurant and bakery serves breakfast and lunch at 340 State Street in Harbor Springs, with a dining room and takeaway. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Ikon Pass opening dates — September 29, 2026 ↗
Publishes a tentative opening target, subject to weather and terrain availability. Use the operator’s schedule for a specific visit.
Year-Round Adventure Activities ↗
Summer and fall bike park riding and scenic chairlift rides.
The Highlands 2026/27 night skiing ↗
The operator lists selected night-skiing dates from December through March, 17:00–21:00.
The Highlands — Resort Stats ↗
The operator publishes all seven protected core mountain facts.

THE REGION

THE LOCAL SCENE

BEYOND THE SLOPES

The region offers much more than skiing. Here's what else to explore:

🎭

Downtown Harbor Springs

Culture

Historic Main Street with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants in a walkable village setting

🏔️

Petoskey Stone Hunting

Outdoor

Search for Michigan's state stone—fossilized coral—along frozen lakeshores

🏔️

Tunnel of Trees Scenic Drive

Outdoor

Wind through M-119's famous canopy (stunning even in winter) along Lake Michigan

🍽️

Legs Inn

Dining

Save this Polish restaurant in Cross Village for a warm-season trip along M-119. It closes for winter.

🏔️

Cross-Country at Nub's Nob

Outdoor

Groomed Nordic trails adjacent to alpine skiing with lake views

🍽️

Petoskey Brewing

Dining

Local craft brewery in nearby Petoskey with rotating taps and casual atmosphere

WHERE TO STAY