Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark — Attraction in Boyne Valley Township

I would rate this place a 2.5 to 3 stars (rounded up to 3.0)

Hmm, what can I say about this place? Their claim to fame is there one of the largest in Michigan if not the largest… to me it was just another waterpark nothing special at all. It’s served at purpose that’s all. It’s a pale imitation if you compare to Kalahari in Sandusky Ohio (I am Michigan Through and Through but that’s the truth) Kalahari has them beat on the humongous wave pool that looks like you’re outside but you’re inside and looks like a beach area. Kalahari also has an OUTSIDE water area (that’s quite good) where this place doesn’t. Kalahari also offers a rope‘s course option, mini golf, arcades, loads of shops and restaurants, to call this place up pale imitation would be doing a disservice to Kalahari. But in this place is defense Kalahari the waterpark and this is a mountain for skiing and snowboarding with a waterpark as side attraction, so it’s not really fair comparing them to, hence they should probably keep their prices low for what they are.

I have no complaints whatsoever on the rides think they had like four big kid rides did all of them except the orange where you are standing up in the tube (seemed cool but didn’t give it a try).

We came here for two days over spring break, it was extremely packed (as expected), On the first day, paid Full price for tickets which was around $20 higher than what the website stated, let the person know at the front and she replied “I know what you are talking about but we just raised it for spring break”, either fix your website or honor your pricing. Anyways we’re going to pay for it because the kid wanted to go to a waterpark, so paid, changed and then realized both the men and women’s lockers were completely full, so one person had to sit and watch items (as we didn’t really want to run back to the car in the snow weather after changing). Note to self: leave valuables locked in car and bring the bare minimum, includes the phone unless you have someone sitting to watch it.

Concession stands here are crazy over price for extremely low grade food and drinks. (I think this is to be expected at these type of places they are just money pits, silly little attractions to to keep people occupied). With a little bit of creativity this and so many other places can be so much better, but that’s not the point of these places, they are just entertainment hubs just separate people from money. If you ski or snowboard and you can couple this with that this place makes more sense as an additional item for the kids to enjoy.

Word of caution: The surface area is quite cool but if you have little kids stand at the top and be ready to catch them before they hit the wall, as I didn’t see the staff catching any of the kids. As parents have to be diligent ourselves.

Parking: Was extremely packed the two times we went. Solution: Just drop off the family at the main building and then park on the far right and walk/run back to the main building then you can walk through the main building and get to the waterpark

Locker rooms: Very messy (but what ever it’s a locker room)

What they do well: They offer a spectator pass for $10, would be useful for someone if they have to watch the stuff and can’t go play.

Conclusion: If you live close enough around 2 to 3 hours away it’s worth a visit, but really no different than any other water park just some thing to do with the kids. Place is worth it when the prices are normal around $30 or so a person, when it’s close to $60 a person this place is definitely not worth it, and that’s the simple truth. unfortunately they know that parents sometimes want to take the kids to these type of places and they price gouge, us parents will still have to take our kids there, especially when places like Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge are charging an arm and a leg for a one night stay over spring break. We will probably be back if we don’t find better deals at Kalahari for the times we wish to travel. If they were smarter they should keep their prices that $30...

Spring break 2025! What a great time!!

We stayed at a cozy mountain cabin (on site) at Boyne Mountain. It was more expensive than other lodging options, BUT 100% worth it!! The cabin had a ready to use kitchen! We went with the 3 bedroom cabin. It had 3 bedrooms; (4 beds) plus a pull out sofa-sleeper. It had 3.5 bathrooms (4 toilets, 3showers!)

One of the best parts was a personal hot tub out the back door patio. :)

Very welcoming, clean, and spacious! The staff was kind, accommodating, and helpful with every interaction we had. We stayed 4 nights; they had an option for “early check-in” if available with no additional cost. Normal check-in time was 5pm. Our room was ready around 11am. They also offered us a no-charge late checkout of 12pm instead of 11am. We will definitely be back!

Avalanche Bay, indoor water park was great! Our kids loved it! They had Multiple water slides for different ages/adventure seeking pleasure. They had 2 hot tub areas. A large kid-area for climbing and water play.

A special shout out to: SCOTT P!! He was on shift at the “Velocity” (aka Toilet-bowl slide). My daughter, age 7, was hesitant on her first time going down with a friend instead of a parent. She started with reluctance but SCOTT TOOK THE TIME, with a personal interaction- and positivity- he made sure she was ready and confident! He handled the situation, with a professional- friendly attitude that insured she would have fun! And she did!!! Thank you again Scott P!!

We decided to choose the breakfast package. They had an amazing selection of eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, and a daily special. Along with bagels/breads/yogurts. They had a wonderful fruit selection. They also had a separate omelette/pancake station. Great food and great service! There were at times a wait to be seated, but that was almost to be expected- and no issue. I would recommend getting there early. Also they have an option to do an early wrist-band sign in for water park- so we did that while waiting for our breakfast table to be ready.

Only down-fall or recommended change would be the temperature of the water at the water park- it could go up a little bit! Along with inside temperature. (It was hot while completely dressed- but once you are wet and walking around in just a swim suit- it was a little chilly.

Also the Sky-Bridge was an amazing sight! 100% recommend to do, if you have the time and the winter weather gear!

Plus we got 10% off all online purchases after booking our lodging! It added up!

🤙Thanks...

Its a great water park. My family and i had a lot of fun. However. Very over priced. Not worth 33 dollars per person. I know thats the daily rate but people shouldnt have to wait till 4pm to do half day for a few dollars less.

Way to many young children in charge of handeling money. I watched the girl swipe my card 2 times. I thought nothing of it cause the machine may have glitched but when i checked my bank account a few days later avalanche bay had charged me 2 times of 132.00 dollars. The life guards did not smile at all lile they were all mad all the time. My opinion on them, thay had to much authority for their age. 90% of the staff didnt look to be over the age of 13.

when i called to get refunded the book keeper lady told me that she can only see 1 charg and that i have to take it up with my bank cause their was nothing she could do to refund me my 2nd charge. So i called my bank and my vank said i had to take care of it with avalanche bay first. So i did a 3 way calling with the person of my bank and the person at avalanche bay . And they both started fighting with each other over the phone with each other. Very unacceptable and professional. Then the woman at avalanche bay told me she can have another woman from accounting investigate the charge and i will get a call from her in a couple hours. And i did. She told me i was correct and she found the 2nd charge and ny money would ve refunded to the card. I still havent seen the change into my bank account. Now i am a man who lives pay check to pay check and we had to save up for this trip. Since my account got hit twice when i went to get gas in my car my card wouldnt work thats when i checked my account and found the charge. Now luckily i had 20 bucks in my wallet to use for gas and nothing bounced out of my checking account. But at the same time if i didnt have that 20 for gas i would have missed a day of work due to no gas. This is not right. So im sure it will not be in my account on tuesday and i will call avalanche bay accounting and im sure the lady will tell me its going to take 5-7 buisness days to go back into my account pending on my bank and the Holliday weekend and so on and so forth bka bla bla........ still isnt right to put people threw this situation..... but hey just saying sorry will comfort the situation and both you and i can sleep at night knowing i can still pay my rent on a im sorry . Bottom line. If you go to avalanche bay,...