If you’re looking for an unforgettable family getaway, let us tell you about our recent adventure to Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain Resort in Michigan. As a family of three, we were on the hunt for a place that offered excitement, relaxation, and convenience all under one roof. Avalanche Bay totally delivered! Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Michigan, is the state’s largest indoor waterpark, offering 88,000 square feet of aquatic fun for all ages. With a constant temperature of 84°F, it’s a year-round destination for families seeking adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re planning a weekend trip or a full vacation, here’s everything you need to know about the slides, attractions, and dining at Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark.

Attractions at Avalanche Bay

Avalanche Bay is packed with activities for all ages and energy levels. Here’s a breakdown of our favorites:

1. The Big Couloir

Experience the ultimate thrill on this extreme body slide, featuring a launch capsule that propels you through a 360° SuperLOOP at speeds up to 38 feet per second. It’s the steepest drop in the industry and the first of its kind in Michigan. This was a thrill-seeker’s dream—definitely not a ride for our family! However, it was fun to watch others take the plunge! It’s a wild ride and one of the park’s most extreme attractions. Highly recommended for adrenaline junkies.

2. Rip Zone Surf Simulator

Catch the perfect wave indoors on the Rip Zone, the region’s first indoor surf simulator. Our son was nervous at first but ended up loving this one! Staff are super helpful and guide kids through riding the boogie board. It’s a great intro to surfing and fun to watch even if you don’t try it yourself.

3. Splasherhorn Play Structure

The Splasherhorn is a massive multi-level interactive water play fort that’s practically its own mini waterpark within the park. It’s packed with tunnels, sprayers, water wheels, rope bridges, and tipping buckets.

But the real stars here are the two attached slides that added extra excitement to the structure.

• Red Slide – The Twisty Tunnel: This one was our son’s favourite. It’s an enclosed tube slide with lots of twists and turns, and it shoots you out into a shallow splash zone at the bottom. It’s fast enough to be thrilling but still gentle enough for kids who are newer to water slides. The line moved quickly, and he must have gone down it 10 times in a row.
• The Blue Slide – Open & Breezy: The blue slide is slightly shorter and open-topped, which made it a great “starter slide.” It’s ideal for kids who aren’t quite ready for a dark tunnel slide but still want that whooshing slide experience. This one is also easier for parents to watch from the outside, which we appreciated.

Every few minutes, a giant 300-gallon bucket at the top of the structure tips over and drenches everything below with a massive splash. You’ll hear the warning bell first—then all the kids (and plenty of grownups!) start running toward it in anticipation.

4. Downhill Mat Racer

The Downhill Mat Racer was hands-down one of the most exciting rides we all did together at Avalanche Bay. It’s a multi-lane waterslide where you grab a foam mat, lie on your stomach, and race headfirst down side-by-side lanes. Think toboggan run meets water slide—and it’s so much fun!

You climb up to the top platform, grab your mat, and line up side-by-side with up to three other riders. As soon as the light turns green, you’re off—racing your family or new friends to see who can hit the bottom first! It’s fast and exhilarating without being too intense. The mats are soft, the ride is well-supervised, and the splashdown area is wide and easy to navigate. Like the rest of the park, the Downhill Mat Racer area was super clean, and the staff at the top helped everyone get set up and launch safely.

5. Vertigo Cannonbowl

Grab a single or double tube and experience the thrill of swirling around a giant bowl. We loved this spinning bowl slide! You go through a tunnel and spin in a bowl before dropping into the pool. Out of all the rides we tried at Avalanche Bay, the Vertigo Cannonbowl offered one of the most memorable thrills! People called it “the toilet bowl ride”—and honestly, that’s a pretty accurate (and funny!) description.

You start by hopping on a one-person inner tube at the top of the slide. After a short enclosed tunnel that builds up speed, you’re launched into a giant bowl-shaped structure. Here’s where the real fun begins—you spin around the inside of the bowl multiple times, sometimes backward, sometimes sideways, until gravity pulls you into the centre, where you’re suddenly dropped through a chute into the splash pool below.

6. Super-G Slide

This tube slide takes riders outside the building for thrilling twists and turns before bringing them back inside to splash down. You ride down the Super G in a single or double inner tube (perfect for parents riding with younger kids!). The slide begins inside a fully enclosed tunnel and zips you through a series of dark, winding turns that keep you guessing at what’s coming next. Then it opens up into a fewbrighter areas with swooping curves before splashing you into the final pool. Lifeguards at the top and bottom were super friendly and made sure everyone was safely loaded into their tubes.

7. Lazy River Adventure

Relax as you float along the gentle current of the indoor Boyne River, complete with flowing water features around every corner. This was our family’s go-to when we needed a little break from the high-energy fun. Floating along the lazy river gave us time to laugh and relax together.

8. Blizzard Bay Activity Pool

Engage in water basketball, toss a ball, or climb on the floating log in this spacious activity pool designed for family fun. Haute route water crossing lets you test your balance and agility on this obstacle course by navigating slippery icebergs while gripping the rope net above.

9. Kitz Pool

If you’ve got younger kids in tow, the Kitz Pool is the perfect spot for them to make a splash! Designed with smaller swimmers in mind, this shallow, calm pool is ideal for wading, paddling, and building water confidence. It is a zero-depth pool featuring sprinklers, buckets, and a mini-slide for endless entertainment. You can relax nearby while keeping an eye on the action. With plenty of space to float, play, and giggle, the Kitz Pool is a fun, low-key break from the bigger slides and waves around Avalanche Bay.

Family Tip for Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark

• If your child is a bit nervous about slides, we recommend watching a few people go first. Seeing the laughter and soft splash landings can help them build the confidence to try it!

• Water shoes are encouraged for comfort and safety; however, they must be removed for certain rides like The Big Couloir.

• Towels are provided, but bringing your own can be convenient.

• Lockers are available for rent to store personal belongings securely.

Lockers

Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain Resort provides convenient locker rentals to ensure guests can securely store their belongings while enjoying the park’s attractions. Located within both the men’s and women’s locker rooms, a variety of locker sizes—including small, medium, and large—are available for day rental. Guests can easily rent lockers using self-service kiosks situated in the locker rooms.

Dining Options

Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain Resort offers a variety of dining options to satisfy guests of all ages.Inside the waterpark, the Après Ski Pub provides a relaxed atmosphere with a menu featuring classic pub fare and children’s meals. Guests can also enjoy adult beverages at the pub, which is open year-round and does not require waterpark admission to dine. 

For quick bites, the Snack Shack, located within the waterpark, serves hot dogs, pizza slices, chips, fountain sodas, and slushies. It’s a convenient spot to grab a snack without leaving the fun. 

Additionally, Boyne Mountain Resort offers various dining options nearby, including Forty Acres Tavern, Everett’s, and the Trophy Room Pub & Pizzeria, providing a range of choices for guests seeking different culinary experiences.

Final Thoughts…

Overall, our family had an absolute blast at Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark! With a fantastic variety of slides, splash zones, and pools, there was something fun for each of us. Whether it was conquering the Vertigo Cannonbowl, floating down the Lazy River, or watching our little one giggle in the Kitz Pool. The park is well-maintained, staff are friendly, and there are plenty of dining options to keep everyone energized throughout the day. If you’re looking for a fun-filled family getaway in Michigan, Avalanche Bay is definitely worth adding to your travel list. We can’t wait to come back for another splash-tastic adventure!

If you enjoyed this guide to Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, be sure to check out our post on Boyne Mountain in Spring. You’ll find even more family-friendly activities, outdoor adventures, and seasonal fun to round out your Northern Michigan getaway. And if your crew loves waterparks as much as we do, don’t miss our review of Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark, another fantastic spot for splash-filled family fun!