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Keweenaw's Explorer Blog

December 2025 | Industry Newsletter

The Keweenaw’s visitor economy plays a vital role in our region’s quality of life and future prosperity. To keep local leaders and stakeholders current on issues impacting the industry, Visit Keweenaw created this monthly newsletter to share information on topics such as economic trends, destination and community investments, and other pertinent news.

We hope you find this a valuable resource to stay up to date on the Keweenaw’s visitor economy and encourage you to share it with parties you think would benefit from the information. As always, we look forward to sharing what makes the Keweenaw a special community to both live in and visit.

Within this newsletter, you'll find: 

 

Note From the Executive Director

Greetings Partners,

Winter has officially arrived in the Keweenaw, and Mother Nature is already delivering the kind of early-season snowfall that defines our region. The trails are filling in, the groomers are rolling, and the hype for a deep winter is real.

We celebrated the season’s start with a massive new event that perfectly captures our unique "Sisu" spirit: the Mount Bohemia Winter Solstice Party. Hosted in partnership with Mount Bohemia and The Finnish Long Drink Company on December 20th, this event brought locals and visitors together for a night of bonfires, ugly holiday sweaters, and an icy cold plunge challenge. By tapping into our Finnish roots and partnering with iconic brands, we’re creating the kind of vibrant, distinctive experiences that set the Keweenaw apart from any other winter destination.

As we head into the heart of the season, we are mindful that the travel industry is facing stiff economic headwinds. Travelers are navigating tighter budgets and making more calculated decisions about where to spend their time and money. While this presents a challenge, it also highlights an opportunity. The Keweenaw offers an authentic, high-value adventure that can’t be manufactured.

Visit Keweenaw is meeting this challenge head-on by aggressively marketing our region’s world-class snow conditions and unique culture to keep the Copper Country top-of-mind. We are committed to telling our story loud and clear: the snow is here, the sauna is hot, and the Keweenaw is ready.

Here’s to a prosperous and snowy winter season, and an amazing start to 2026!

 

Giving Tuesday Donations and a Year of Destination Development

Visit Keweenaw chose to support several organizations this year through Copper Shores Foundation’s Giving Tuesday Program, with a total of $15,000 awarded across the region. These investments reflect Visit Keweenaw’s broader commitment to destination development - supporting the places, experiences, and people that make the Keweenaw a place visitors love and residents are proud of. The region’s appeal is inseparable from its trails, protected natural spaces, and the dedicated organizations that care for them. Visit Keweenaw is proud to support partners who champion responsible recreation and practice good stewardship across the Keweenaw:

  • Keweenaw Land Trust - $2,500 
  • Swedetown Trails Club - $2,500 
  • Hancock Trails Club - $2,500 
  • Keweenaw County Search & Rescue - $2,500 
  • Keweenaw ATV Club - $2,500 
  • Copper Harbor Trails Club - $2,500

 

2025 Giving Tuesday Recipients

 

Visit Keweenaw Receives Hankookin Heikki Award

Visit Keweenaw’s work promoting Finnish-American heritage in the Copper Country has been recognized with the 2026 Hankookin Heikki honor, awarded to individuals or organizations who demonstrate long-standing commitment to preserving and sharing Finnish culture. The announcement was made during Finland’s Independence Day celebration earlier this month, as Hancock prepares for an international spotlight year as the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture — the first location outside Europe to receive the designation. A second Heikki was awarded this year as well – Oscar Heikkinin from the Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum. The Keweenaw National Historical Park Heritage Site was awarded the same crown for its decades of stewardship, preservation and education of the area’s rich Finnish-American history.

The recognition reflects Visit Keweenaw’s team-driven approach to cultural tourism and destination development, including the growth of Heikinpäivä and Juhannus celebrations, heritage-based storytelling, and partnerships that translate local culture into measurable visibility for member businesses and community events. As a 2026 Hankookin Heikki honoree, Visit Keweenaw will help preside over Heikinpäivä festivities in January, helping launch a milestone year that brings increased attention, visitation, and opportunity to the region.

 

2025 Hankookin Heikki

 

Events Left In December, Coming in 2026

The Keweenaw is rocking a strong lineup of events through winter. The following dates are coming up for visitors and locals alike to join in on frosty festivities through 2025 and into 2026.

Hancock Lights the Night, supported by a Visit Keweenaw Destination Development Fund Award, just wrapped up its month-long tourable holiday lights display. Making dual use of the Hancock Campground, over 20 local businesses and organizations collaborated in decorating campsites. Hancock saw nearly 500 cars on its opening night. It hosted one walking night through the season and saw more than a few thousand attendees in its first run.

Houghton’s New Year’s Eve Chook Drop is just around the corner! For the last three years, Visit Keweenaw has collaborated with the City of Houghton to bring a New Year’s spectacle to the Keweenaw. Perched on the canal-side pier, the groups will host a 5:30–6 p.m. (for families and early-birds) and 9:30-10 p.m. drop (for the night owls). Beviamo Vino is hosting a pre-party and just joined Houghton’s social district. Stop by for champagne to go, and catch a comedy show from 7-9 at the Continental Fire Co. If you’re looking for something to do after the later drop, head back to the Fire. Co to hang out until midnight!

One of Michigan’s most iconic winter traditions, Michigan Tech’s Winter Carnival (Feb. 4-7) anchors February in the Keweenaw. From massive, student-built snow statues to outdoor events, performances, and community celebrations, Carnival brings thousands of visitors to Houghton and Hancock each year. Whether you’re here for the sculptures, the nostalgia, or the pure winter spectacle, it’s a can’t-miss Upper Peninsula experience.

Returning for another winter takeover on Feb. 14, 2026, Jibba Jabba Rail Jam brings high-energy snowboarding back to downtown Houghton during MTU Winter Carnival weekend. The Red Bull–supported rail jam transforms the city into a street-style playground, drawing riders and spectators from across the Midwest. Expect big tricks, loud music, and a packed crowd lining the course as some of the region’s best riders throw down in the heart of town. Visit Keweenaw is the title sponsor of Jibba Jabba and looks forward to helping announce a special chance for locals to compete the night before.

The CopperDog (Feb. 27-March 1, 2026) sled dog race returns to Calumet in early March. Featuring multiple race distances and teams from across North America, CopperDog pairs elite competition with a festival atmosphere downtown. Fans can cheer on mushers, meet the dogs, enjoy live music and local food, and soak up one of the Keweenaw’s most beloved winter weekends.

Closing out winter in legendary fashion, the Great Bear Chase (March 7, 2026) brings hundreds of cross-country skiers to the trails at Swedetown in early March. Featuring multiple race distances for both competitive and recreational skiers, the event showcases the region’s deep snow, challenging terrain, and tight-knit ski culture. Whether you’re racing, spectating, or just soaking in the finish-line energy, the Great Bear Chase is a true celebration of Nordic skiing in the Copper Country.

Keep an eye on Visit Keweenaw’s events calendar for all Keweenaw happenings.

 

Keweenaw Snowmobile Club Opens Portage Lake Lift Bridge Crossing

The Keweenaw Snowmobile Club has officially opened the Portage Lake Lift Bridge snowmobile crossing for the 2025–26 season, reconnecting trail systems between Houghton and Hancock and signaling the true start of winter riding in the Keweenaw. The lower-deck crossing on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge allows snowmobilers to travel continuously across the canal while vehicle traffic remains on the upper deck. Opening the route requires coordination between the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club, the City of Houghton, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Coast Guard Portage Station, and the Michigan Department of Transportation, which must clear and prepare the bridge before snowmobile traffic can safely cross. With the bridge now open, riders once again have access to more than 230 miles of groomed trails linking communities from Copper Harbor to Mass City and beyond. Check trail conditions and real-time reports at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/outdoors/winter-activities/snowfall-trail-conditions/. 

 

Opening the Lift Bridge

 

Mount Bohemia Winter Solstice Pool Party Makes A Big Splash on Early Season

The Winter Solstice Pool Party at Mount Bohemia delivered an early-season jolt to the Keweenaw, drawing hundreds of attendees and driving lodging demand across the northern end of the peninsula. Timed with the longest night of the year, the event blended Bohemia’s outdoor pools, live energy, and winter culture into a destination-worthy weekend.

Visit Keweenaw partnered with The Finnish Long Drink on-site, giving out merch, hosting a cold plunge challenge, and running an ugly sweater contest that kept crowds engaged well into the evening.

More than a party, the Solstice Pool Party stands out as an example of collaborative destination marketing—with Visit Keweenaw, Mount Bohemia, and brand partners working together to drive overnight stays, boost local business, and deliver direct value to members at a time when winter momentum matters most.

 

Visit Keweenaw Office Update: Open and Running

Visit Keweenaw and the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce have occupied 418 Shelden Avenue in Houghton since Nov. 21. The space is being utilized already by visitors popping in for information and to purchase Keweenaw merchandise, as well as members of the Chamber looking to do business with staff. In addition to visitor services and office space for staff, the location hosts local events like Small Business Saturday and industry training sessions. Stay tuned as Visit Keweenaw works with local graphic companies to add a Keweenaw Welcome Center sign and window clings in the coming weeks. Stop on in and say "Hi!" and see the building if you haven’t had a chance already.

 

Houghton VK HQ Lobby

 

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