In case you've been thinking that it's too early to start thinking about skiing, take a look at what those of us who live near BOYNE are thinking. First, what we're going to do with all the stuff when it comes. And then about how we're going to play in it.

 And if you need more reasons to start thinking snow, check out what's going on this weekend in the Boyne Mountain Village. The first-ever Skitoberfest is going to be the party of the season - and there are dozens of reasons why you, your family, and your friends shouldn't miss it. For the whole scoop check it out HERE - but here are the top four things that interest me:

1) Fall food and drink. Brats, cider, and, for the adults in the crowd - beer! Some of Michigan's top micro brewers will be showing off their handiwork.

2) Snowsports Summit. Two presentations by recently retired U.S. Ski Team coach Greg Needell. Greg is 'the man' behind 'THE MAN', Olympic Gold medalist Ted Ligety, and Ted's rise to become one of the best technical ski racers in the world - find out how he did it, and what's the next trend in technique at the highest levels. Oh, and then there's this Simon Dumont guy who will be there. I'm told that the kid gets air like Tiger Woods plays a little golf. Find out how he does it. Find out WHY he does it!

3) New gear. This is a rare chance for consumers to be able to meet and talk with the manufacturers reps for the top snow sports equipment companies. Bend the skis, see what's new, and get the straight story on what it can do for you.

4) All the other stuff. OK this is a favorite because it means I don't have to cajole the rest of my family to come and spend the weekend with me. This time, it's the other way around. Artists, dancers, kids, and kids who are artists and dancers. A parade with golf carts that includes secret surprises? Makes me wonder what could be more surprising than a golf cart parade. MSU/UM on the big screen. Four (4), did I say FOUR, bands. Uh, well, so much other stuff that I won't even try to list it.

So pack up the car and come settle in for a fabulous weekend in the Village. Oh, and plan to sign up for your BOYNE Pass now - because a lot of the Skitoberfest offerings are free to passholders! Again, read all about it HERE.

Cary Adgate, BOYNE Ambassador of Skiing

I've always said that BOYNE is in the memory business.  That’s ahead of being snow farmers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, shop keepers, golf professionals, etc.
Nothing proves that more than the thousands of pictures taken by our guests every year. They snap it all into focus so much more clearly than the most painstakenly planned professional marketing pics. Because of that we're throwing a little contest:

Have a great photo of your best times at Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain to share?  If so, enter it in our Facebook Grand Prize photo contest happening now through August 16 on the Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain fan pages!  Simply post your favorite vacation photo on the Wall of our fan pages and be entered to win.

While visiting our Facebook pages, let fans know what you enjoy most about vacationing at BOYNE and checkout our upcoming events, deals, photos and videos.

Not yet a fan?  It’s easy, visit www.facebook.com/BoyneHighlands or www.facebook.com/BoyneMountain and click the green “Sign Up” icon in the upper left corner and away you go.

-JJ

The scene didn't make much sense: a professional skier, and admitted tennis hack speaking to the group at the new Boyne Mountain Tennis Academy. When I was first asked to speak, it didn't make much sense to me either.

At first, I wondered what in the world I might say to help people - some of them expert tennis players -  improve a skill I know little about. After some contemplation, I realized that my lifelong athletic adventures have perhaps qualified me to speak - certainly not about tennis technique - but about effective approaches to learning skills and preparing for competition. And then it hit me that the confidence I have in my approach to sporting success is not as much rooted in my career as an Olympic and World Cup skier, but rather in my experiences as a novice sportsman over the last few years.

During that time, I have undertaken the goal of becoming as proficient as possible at the game of soccer. I also jumped back into the sport of ski racing - a sport which is now far different from the sport I knew decades ago.

My success with learning these sports has made for really fun experiences - and I think the fun is a big part of what has generated some success. I am still far from being an expert, particularly in soccer, where I started from scratch. But regardless of one's proficiency in a discipline, I discovered that certain general strategies are universally effective - like keeping an open mind and a learning attitude, and a willingness to seek out and listen to the experts. A little bit of patience sprinkled in ensures that frustration does not stall the learning or the fun. The formula is really no different from the one that helped me during my professional career, and I have realized that it's virtually the same regardless of the discipline you're trying to master.

As I spoke to the group, it was gratifying for me to see coaches Bill Perlmutter and Larry Stark (former Michigan State University #1 singles player) nodding in agreement from time to time. When it comes to mastering difficult skills, it seems that there are indeed universal paths to success.

If tennis is your thing, you can't do any better than to open your mind to the expert coaches at the BMTA. As they pour in the knowledge, you'll be guaranteed to find a more competitive tennis game and a richer enjoyment of the sport. There are still two sessions with openings.

Boyne Mountain Tennis Academy 

 Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador

The second round in the BOYNE Cup featured some classic match ups from our pros and interns!  Here are the results!

Ryan Thompson advances over Mike Fay

Tristan Pitts defeats Austin Pieters

Gaetan Biane over Charlie Henninger

Casey Powers trumped Dan Turcott

Mike Kollett clipped Steve Niezgoda

Ryan Tubbs ousted Gary Day

Brian O'Neill moves on over Ryan Brown

Brad Wancket took down Dave McWorter

A golf tip from Jeff Eccleston - Boyne Golf Academy

Ben Hogan said that IF you have a sound grip, stance, and waggle, that you will never have a bad ball striking day.....  Wait a minute, A Waggle?  What does a waggle have to do with my golf swing?  Better yet, what is a waggle?

Well, provided that your grip and stance are fundamentally correct, the waggle portion of the equation goes like this.

From your address postion, allow your wrists to hinge the club so that the shaft is parallel to the ground and the toe of the club is pointed skyward.  Your arms should still remain in front of your body.  If done correctly, your top hand will have a slight cup in it, and the hands will move slightly ahead of the ball.  From here, simply return the club to address postion and repeat a couple of times as you let your eyes move between the ball and the target. 

By incorporating a waggle into your shot you are effectively setting the plane for your backswing, rehearsing impact, and removing tension from your swing.

The Nike Junior Golf Camps at BOYNE started Varsity Camp yesterday.  18 young men from Michigan, Nebraska, Indiana, Connecticut, Wisconsin, California, Illinois, and Kentucky converged on Boyne Highlands for a full week of intensive golf training. 

Camp started with a warm up round on the Cuff Links par 3 course before pizza and practice and finally a 18 hole round on the Heather!  This morning will start with a gourmet breakfast buffet, video analysis with the BOYNE Golf Academy, and lunch.  The afternoon holds a round of golf on the Arthur Hills, Moor, or Donald Ross Memorial.  

This evening we will start a match play tournament on the Cuff Links, UNDER THE LIGHTS!!! 

Instruction continues all day with Golf Academy staff accompanying each group for further on the course tips, advice, and lessons.

Camp concludes on Thursday with a tournament style round and awards ceremony.  This is the second camp of the summer of a total of eight.  Some spots are still open for the upcoming camps.  Click here for more information.  

It's been a 'winter of olde' — with plentiful and frequent doses of new snow adding to paradise for those of us who like to slide on snow. This evening promises another 6 inches of new snow and perfect temperatures for another weekend on the white playground. Even the recent warm spell hasn't completely erased the huge snowbanks which evidence nature's contribution to this old fashioned winter. Now the banks will be growing again and they'll be painted that blinding white by the March sun.

A few years back, I was starting to wonder if all the amazing improvements in ski resort technology - from snowmaking, to lifts, and grooming - and the even more impressive improvements in equipment and clothing - would go for naught because it wouldn't be cold enough to freeze water. But the string of long, old-fashioned winters we are notching for the last few seasons has me excited to renew my commitment to the sport. Seems the nightly news folks aren't the climate experts they pose as after all.

Who knows what the future will bring. But until Nature shows me otherwise, I'll be be making winter plans and investments of our family's recreational dollars based around the premise that there will continue to be a white wonderland to enjoy. It's been a great one this year — and it's not even close to being over with. In BOYNE country, we are content with the state of the weather and the sport. An attitude not to be confused with that of Richard III back in the Sixteenth Century.

Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador