Boyne Mountain opens for downhillers; Groomed XC ski trails far behind?

Fri, Nov  15, 2013 - By Mike Muha

Says Boyne Mountain,

We are the first resort in northern Lower Michigan to open for the 2013/14 season. Two slopes, Victor and Pierson, and the Hemlock chairlift, will be open from 9am to 4:30pm on Friday and Saturday, November 15-16. Lift tickets are $25 for most ages. This is the earliest opening for Boyne Mountain Resort in over 20 years!

Boyne Mountain, yesterday

Boyne fired up the Boyne Low-E fan guns for the first time of the season on Monday afternoon. “Our snowmakers and groomers have been working hard,” said Ed Grice, president and general manager of Boyne Mountain Resort. “We always strive to have our passholders and guests out on the slopes doing what they love as early as possible. This opening comes a few weeks earlier than we’re all use to, which is a bonus.”

Hopefully this mean that groomed cross country skiing is not far behind. The recent snow "up north" has lots of skiers breaking trail, while in southeastern Michigan, Huron Meadows has fired up its snow guns (yes, that's multiple snow guns) and is getting prepared to lay snow on the cross country ski trails when the weather stays cool.

Huron Meadows Metropark, making sure the snow guns are working

The big question is, which lower peninsula cross country ski area will groom first? Any bets?