Is Skybridge Michigan Worth the Terror? the Truth Behind the Viral Walk
By Sarah Jenkins
Most commercial suspension bridges rely on utilitarian steel trusses and industrial pylons. Boyne Mountain Resort went in an entirely different direction. The resort partnered with Experiential Resources (ERi) to engineer a timber-towered suspension bridge that visually mirrors the surrounding Great Lakes forests. The massive timber towers, rising roughly 52 feet into the air, were built using wood harvested and processed to honor historic resort design while meeting stringent modern load parameters.
Constructing the world's longest timber bridge required hauling heavy equipment up steep ski slopes. Cables anchored deep into the northern bedrock hold the tension, supporting thousands of pounds of live pedestrian load. The structure balances aesthetic ambition with raw structural safety. It does not feel like a concrete highway overpass. Step onto the treated wood treads, and you feel the bridge respond dynamically to footfalls and wind shear. The slight, calculated oscillation is structurally sound, yet it tests the nerves of casual travelers unaccustomed to open-air heights.
Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.
