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Keweenaw's Explorer Blog

February 2026 | 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: 

 

A Note from the Executive Director

Hello Keweenaw partners,

What an incredible stretch it’s been for our region! As we lean into late winter, there is a palpable energy across the peninsula. I’m thrilled to share that we’ve officially crested more than 290 inches of snow this season. For a destination that prides itself on being a premier outdoor sanctuary, these conditions have provided the perfect backdrop for a truly amazing February.

Our local visitor industry has been firing on all cylinders. We’ve seen a fantastic turnout for our signature "Copper Country" traditions. From the architectural marvels of Michigan Tech’s Winter Carnival to the high-octane excitement of Jibba Jabba in downtown Hancock, the Keweenaw has been the place to be. We also just wrapped up an epic CopperDog in historic Calumet, which once again showcased the rugged beauty and incredible community spirit that defines us.These events are more than just highlights on a calendar; they are vital economic drivers that support our local shops, restaurants, and lodging partners. Whether it's visitors coming for the world-class snow or athletes pushing their limits in our "unsupported" wilderness, the Keweenaw continues to prove it is a cornerstone of the Midwest’s lifestyle. 

As we look toward the horizon, we remain committed to promoting responsible tourism and connecting visitors to the natural treasures of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Thank you for your continued partnership in making this season one for the record books.

Stay snowy,

Brad Barnett

Executive Director, Visit Keweenaw

 

Snow Totals for Season

The Keweenaw is going neck and neck ahead of last year’s prominent snow season – will we hit the all time record? Trails and ski lift operators can tell you first hand this year people are loving the snow. Ski hills like Mount Bohemia and Mont Ripley are seeing great turnouts and the natural snow is helping power through the season. As of this week, the Keweenaw’s total is at 290.5 inches. Keep track of every inch on Visit Keweenaw’s Snowfall and Trail Conditions Page.

End of the Road Trails CREDIT CHTC

Photo: Copper Harbor Trails Club

 

MRLA Training Coming to Houghton

The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) will be hosting a ServSafe Food Safety Manager training and certification exam on June 2 at the Visit Keweenaw Welcome Center in Houghton.

This nationally recognized certification is a great opportunity for restaurant staff, hospitality teams, waitstaff, and food service managers to strengthen their food safety knowledge and earn their certification locally.

Registration details will be shared soon — keep an eye out from Visit Keweenaw if you’re interested in participating.

 

Visit Keweenaw Plans Michigan Sustainability Summit

Leaders from across the state will gather in the Keweenaw this spring for the Michigan Sustainable Tourism Summit, taking place May 20–23, 2026 at the McCardle Theatre on the Michigan Tech campus in Houghton.

The four-day gathering will bring together destination marketers, local officials, conservation professionals, tourism businesses, and community leaders to explore how tourism can grow while protecting the places that make Michigan special. Sessions will focus on topics like responsible outdoor recreation, preserving northern Michigan’s dark skies, supporting recreation infrastructure and using tourism to strengthen cultural heritage and local communities.

Hosting the summit in the Keweenaw is intentional. Our region offers a real-world example of the balance between natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and community stewardship — making it the perfect setting for conversations about the future of tourism in Michigan.

Speaker proposals have now closed, and registration details and the full event schedule will be announced soon.

 

Destination Development Fund Accepting Applications

Visit Keweenaw is now accepting applications for the 2026 Destination Development Fund, a program that reinvests tourism dollars back into projects that improve the Keweenaw for both visitors and residents.

Powered by room night stays at Visit Keweenaw’s 40+ lodging members, the fund distributed more than $100,000 in 2025 to nonprofits and community groups across Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Past projects have supported trail development, historic interpretive signage, downtown beautification, and outdoor recreation infrastructure — helping strengthen the region’s visitor experience while benefiting the communities that call the Keweenaw home.

Applications are open through March 31, 2026, and projects are encouraged to be completed by September 30, 2026.

Organizations interested in applying can learn more and review full criteria at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/about-us/destination-development/destination-development-fund/.

Boston Creek Nature Area Bridge

Social Media Posts Perform High Online

Visit Keweenaw’s digital audience continues to show strong engagement with Keweenaw content. In January alone, viewers consumed more than 425,448 minutes (295 days and 11 hours) of Visit Keweenaw video content, while our social media channels reached over 3.3M people across all platforms. That kind of reach shows how powerful visual storytelling about the Keweenaw can be — and how far our region’s stories are traveling online.

“It's clear Visit Keweenaw’s social media and online presence has become a trusted source for big snow updates, event excitement, and the trusted "friend" on the ground,” said Content Manager Amanda Makela. “Curiosity about our area grows and we strive to meet that demand with playful experimentation in storytelling and style to best showcase the wonderful people, landscapes, and experiences here in the Copper Country!”

 

Polar Plunge Recap

Visit Keweenaw, the City of Hancock, Takka Saunas and Small Craft successfully revived Hancock’s Polar Plunge this winter, bringing the tradition back for the first time in nearly a decade. Originally planned during Heikinpäivä, the event was moved to Winter Carnival weekend due to extreme cold — and the change paid off.

A total of 174 participants cycled through the icy plunge and sauna experience in just two hours, creating a steady stream of spectators, energy and activity along the waterfront. Events like this help activate winter weekends, draw visitors into downtown Hancock and reinforce the Keweenaw’s growing reputation for unique outdoor winter experiences.

Organizers hope to make the Polar Plunge an annual tradition once again.

Polar Plunge

Jibba Jabba Recap

Houghton’s signature snowboard event Jibba Jabba returned over Valentine’s weekend and once again transformed downtown into a full-scale winter sports spectacle.

Thousands of spectators packed Huron Street as professional riders launched tricks off the custom-built street course under the lights. With Red Bull fueling the atmosphere and music echoing through downtown, the event delivered an electric energy that kept crowds engaged throughout the night.

Now in its fourth year, Jibba Jabba continues to grow as one of the Keweenaw’s most exciting winter events — bringing visitors downtown, showcasing the region’s deep snow culture and positioning Houghton as a destination for winter action sports.

 

Keweenaw Snow Venture Group Travels the Keweenaw

Last week Visit Keweenaw hosted a group of nationally recognized travel writers and digital creators as part of our annual Keweenaw Snow-Venture media trip, timed intentionally around the CopperDog sled dog race.

The writers spent several days experiencing winter in the Keweenaw — from trail adventures and ski hills to local dining and community events.

Strategic media visits like these allow storytellers to experience the destination firsthand while highlighting the businesses, landscapes, and traditions that make the Keweenaw unique. 

Coverage from the trip will appear throughout the year across major travel and lifestyle outlets, expanding national awareness of the region and driving interest in future visits.

Visit Keweenaw extends a sincere thank you to the many local businesses and partners who helped host and welcome our guests.

SnowVenture 2026

 

Visit Keweenaw Continues Sharing Digital Passports

Visit Keweenaw’s digital Bandwango passes continue to connect visitors directly with participating businesses across the region.

These mobile-friendly passes make it easy for travelers to discover local attractions, restaurants, retail shops, and outdoor experiences while encouraging them to explore more of the Keweenaw during their stay.

Since launching, the program has generated hundreds of user engagements and continues to serve as a simple tool that helps guide visitors to participating businesses while showcasing the region’s diverse offerings.

Businesses interested in being featured in upcoming passes are encouraged to contact Amanda Makela, Visit Keweenaw’s Content & Social Media Manager at amanda@visitkeweenaw.com. 

 

Winter Deals and Spring Promotions

As we move toward the second half of winter season, Visit Keweenaw continues promoting seasonal deals and upcoming spring travel opportunities across digital platforms and media channels.

Partners are encouraged to submit any promotions, packages and special offers so they can be included in marketing campaigns, website features and visitor newsletters. These promotions help travelers plan trips while driving additional traffic to participating businesses.

To submit a promotion or update your listing, please reach out to a Visit Keweenaw team member or email info@visitkeweenaw.com. 

 

Upcoming Events in the Keweenaw

The region’s event lineup goes strong through winter and into spring. Here’s what’s on deck for visitors in the Keweenaw.

The Crossing Place Great Bear Chase

March 7 – Great Bear Chase

The UP Health System Great Bear Chase returns March 7 at the Swedetown Trails in Calumet. This long-running Nordic ski race draws skiers from across the Midwest to experience some of the Keweenaw’s best-groomed trails.

New this year is a 20 km skiathlon option featuring 10 km classic followed by 10 km skate, with limited registration available.

Events like the Great Bear Chase continue to attract winter visitors while showcasing the Keweenaw’s world-class Nordic trail system.

March 7 – Mardi Gras Madness at Mount Bohemia

Mount Bohemia’s Mardi Gras Madness returns Saturday, March 7 with a full day of high-energy slopeside fun. The celebration brings a festive Mardi Gras atmosphere to the mountain with contests, music and plenty of après-ski energy.

Events throughout the day include crowd favorites like the limbo contest and man-carries-woman race, followed by an afternoon après ski party at the Nordic Spa with a DJ from 3 p.m. to midnight. Live music will also keep the celebration going at the North Pole Bar.

The event continues to draw visitors looking to combine late-season skiing with one of the Keweenaw’s most lively spring slope celebrations.

March 20-22 – Mount Bohemia Spring Serenade

The Mount Bohemia Spring Serenade returns for a high-energy weekend of steam, snow, and friendly competition. This crowd-favorite event blends hot-and-cold spa culture with over-the-top winter fun.

Highlights include races, beach volleyball in the snow, group spa activities, and a ski/snowboard contest. There’s also a Best Costume Contest, a late-night Easter Egg Hunt, and free food at midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Events like the Nordic Spa Pool Party add a playful twist to winter in the Keweenaw, proving that snow season is just as much about celebration as it is about the cold.

March 21 – East Bluff Meltdown | Race, Wander Apres

Celebrate late-season winter in Copper Harbor on March 21 at the East Bluff Meltdown. The day begins with a 20K freestyle Nordic ski race on the End of the Road Trails, followed by a relaxed Winter Wander to East Bluff Campground with a fire and chili.

The evening wraps up with live music, awards and après at The Mariner North. Race registration is limited, but the wander and après are free and open to everyone.

 

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