One Of Michigan's Largest Indoor Water Parks Offers Winter-Themed Family Fun Year-Round

Typically, if you're planning a water park vacation and a skiing vacation, those two things seem incongruous. After all, enjoying a water park often means being somewhere warm, like California or Florida. So, how can you enjoy a water park if you're also looking to ski on a snow-covered mountain? Well, if you've ever wanted to book such a contradictory vacation, one place to look at is Boyne Mountain in Michigan, which is one of 10 awesome hot spots in the state that belong on your bucket list.

Although Michigan has plenty of water parks, such as Michigan's newest and largest indoor water park at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Boyne Mountain is unique. Since its 88,000-square-foot Avalanche Bay water park is indoors and located inside a popular ski resort, you can hit the slopes and then ride the slides as much as you want during your vacation. 

So, if you're looking for a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly winter travel destination, it may be time to head to Boyne Falls and Boyne Mountain. 

With a name like Avalanche Bay, it's no surprise that this water park features a winter theme, complete with snow-packed peaks, giant cubes of fake ice, and snow sculptures throughout. So, even though the park itself stays a balmy 84 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, it still looks like a fanciful winter destination. Plus, during the holiday season, Boyne Mountain Resort hosts holiday-themed activities, including Christmas Eve dinner with Santa or roasting marshmallows to make s'mores. And if you're here on New Year's Eve, the resort goes all out with glow parties in the water park and fireworks on the mountain.

But what can you do in the water park besides marvel at the decor or participate in holiday fun? First, if you want to get your adrenaline pumping, the Big Couloir drops you at 38 feet per second and sends you through a 360-degree super loop. Or, if you want to practice your surfing skills, try the Rip Zone Surf Simulator. Then, when it's time to relax, grab a tube and float through the lazy river.

In addition to thrilling slides and rides, Avalanche Bay has kiddie pools, hot tubs, and an obstacle course where kids can test their hand-eye coordination. There's also a play structure with water cannons and an 800-gallon bucket that creates a water avalanche regularly.

While Boyne Mountain does have its own airport, it serves private planes and charter flights. In fact, getting to Boyne Mountain is a bit of a challenge, particularly during the winter when snow and ice abound in the region. For commercial flights, Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is an option, with rental cars available at the terminal for the drive to Boyne Mountain. You can stay at Boyne Mountain or at one of several nearby hotels and motels in Boyne Falls. Water park day passes are available if you're not staying at the resort, and you can even buy evening passes if you plan to ski during the day and get wet and wild at night. Make sure to check the water park's operating schedule so you know what to expect before you arrive.

Outside of playing in the water park, there are other things to do at Boyne Mountain and nearby. For example, the SkyBridge spans 1,200 feet and offers sweeping views of the region, particularly during the fall. But if you're here during the winter, the bridge gets decked out in holiday lights. There's also an arcade on-site and an igloo bar, making for some unique attractions. Finally, Boyne Mountain is only an hour south of Mackinaw City, meaning you can check out Mackinac Island, one of the most charming Great Lakes destinations. For a winter visit, check Arnold Transit Company's ferry schedule from St. Ignace before planning your island trip.