Speed, excitement and thunder fill the annual two-day Boyne Thunder Poker Run in beautiful Boyne City each July. This unique boating event showcases high performance boats, slicing through the waters of Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan on a breathtaking 150-mile excursion. The three-fold mission: 1. Provide an exciting and unique boating event for all to enjoy with cool boats and a great atmosphere. 2. To raise money for children with cancer and people with disabilities. 3. Promote the Boyne City area and northwest Michigan.

What makes Boyne Thunder special is its relationship with Challenge Mountain and Camp Quality, two extraordinary non-profit organizations that provide unforgettable experiences for their kids. Since its inception, Boyne Thunder has raised over $1 million for the beneficiaries and is an integral part of their success. Thousands of volunteer hours are devoted to bringing this event to life and speaks to the dedication and passion our community has for Boyne City Main Street, Challenge Mountain, Camp Quality, and the Boyne Thunder event.

For many group and club events, a non-profit organization is often select as a beneficiary of proceeds. For those who are passionate about providing outdoor recreational activities to those living with disabilities, Challenge Mountain welcomes these opportunities. For more information about naming Challenge Mountain as the beneficiary of your event, call 231.582.1186.

In honor of Boyne Mountain’s 70th Anniversary the chairlifts and trails were open for 70 straight hours, allowing people to ski and snowboard at any hour. The mountain encouraged people to sign up for the challenge, not only for a fun time, but to help an important cause. All proceeds from the event, including registration and advance lift ticket fees, went to Challenge Mountain. The event was so well received, there are already rumblings about a 75-hour challenge.

For many years, the Challenge Mountain lodge was transformed into a haunted house with spooky and educational adventures for all ages. In 2017, visionaries and coordinators Terry and Jim have decided to retire. Their passion for helping Challenge Mountain and for creating great Nightmare experiences remains in the memories of many regional residents.