Keweenaw’s winter tourism season could be record-breaking

CALUMET — With many winter festivities taking place in the Keweenaw Peninsula, officials say this tourism season could be a record breaker.

Heikenpaiva is under way and some of the festival’s major festivities are coming up in the next couple of weeks. Winter Carnival is around the corner, and so is the Copper Dog sled race. Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau President Diane St. Amour says this winter’s tourism season is off to a great start.

“We’re doing awesome. We’re ahead of the game when it comes to snow. The majority of our snowmobile trails are open. We have one closed for logging that we’re hoping to get open again here real quick here but, over 200 miles of trails and you’re not gonna get any better this side of the Rockies,” said St. Amour.

Michigan DNR Public Information Officer John Pepin says the snowmobile riders have not been deterred by the single digit temperatures this year. Along with snowmobiling, St. Amour says that many tourists are drawn to the area for our sports scene.

“Hockey is a big thing considering Houghton, you know we’re the birthplace of professional hockey,” said St. Amour.

Whether you’re here for the ice fishing, ice hockey, or any outdoor activity that requires ice and snow, it’s available there in the Keweenaw.

“If you want to know how the trails are doing, go to our website, keweenaw.info, or download the app and you’ll have up to date conditions,” said St. Amour.