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Keweenaw's Explorer Blog

January 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

The winter tourism season is off to an electrifying start across Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Mother Nature has been generous, delivering nearly 200 inches of measurable snowfall to date. This incredible base has transformed our region into a premier winter playground, drawing visitors from across the Midwest to experience the best skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in the Upper Peninsula.

Beyond the trails, January has been a landmark month for our local heritage. Visit Keweenaw was proud to support the kick-off of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture celebration during this year’s Heikinpäivä festivities. This international designation highlights the global significance of our region's deep-rooted traditions.

In a deeply moving moment for our team, Visit Keweenaw was granted the honor of Hankookin Heikki. This award is presented to individuals or organizations who work diligently to preserve and promote our area’s unique Finnish-American culture. We are humbled by this recognition and remain committed to sharing the stories, history, and "sisu" that make the Keweenaw such a special place to live and visit.

As we look ahead to February, the momentum is only growing. Whether it’s through our record-breaking powder or our rich cultural tapestry, the Keweenaw continues to prove why it is a world-class destination.

 

Hankookin Heikkis Heikinpaiva

Hankookin Heikkis: Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum (Oscar Heikkinen) and Visit Keweenaw (Jesse Wiederhold)

 

New Group Sales Manager Hired at Visit Keweenaw

Visit Keweenaw is pleased to welcome Mary Ahkin as its new Group Sales Manager. In this role, Ahkin will work with tour operators, meeting planners and local partners to grow group travel, meetings and event opportunities across the Keweenaw Peninsula, with a focus on shoulder seasons and community-driven tourism.

Ahkin brings a background in marketing and communications with an educational focus on sustainability. She is passionate about the Upper Peninsula’s shoreline and outdoor culture and volunteers with organizations including the Surfrider Foundation Northern Michigan and Trout Unlimited.

“I am excited about the opportunity to be part of this team and to support thoughtful, responsible tourism that strengthens the region and its communities,” said Ahkin.

Tour operators and planners interested in group travel opportunities are encouraged to connect with Ahkin to share what your attraction has to offer group tours at mahkin@visitkeweenaw.com.

 

Advancing Houghton: The Vision for Bird City

The City of Houghton and Visit Keweenaw are working with a broad coalition of community partners to apply for Bird City designation, building on extensive conservation, research and habitat work already happening across the Keweenaw. If approved, Houghton would become the first Bird City in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the northernmost in the state.

Located along a major Great Lakes migration corridor, Houghton serves as the last stop for birds heading north and the first refuge when they return south. Bird City designation reflects a long-term commitment to protecting natural habitats, reducing human-caused threats and supporting healthy bird populations while reinforcing sustainable tourism and community identity.

The application effort is being coordinated by the City of Houghton in partnership with the Copper Country Bird Club, Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area, Keweenaw Land Trust, Keweenaw Wild Bird REC, Keweenaw Wild Ones Chapter, Michigan Technological University, The Nature Conservancy, Visit Keweenaw, and U.P. Wildlife Rehabilitation – Keweenaw Group.

Questions can be directed to Brad Barnett at bbarnett@visitkeweenaw.com or 906.337.4579.

 

Snow-Venture 2026 Coming Up

Each February, Visit Keweenaw hosts Snow-Venture, our annual hosted media experience designed to showcase the Keweenaw at its winter best — deep snow, real cold, and the kind of outdoor access you can’t manufacture anywhere else.

The goal is simple: put travel media directly into the landscapes, events, and communities that define winter here. From trail time and iconic winter events to food, lodging, and local culture, Snow-Venture allows writers and photographers to experience the Keweenaw the same way visitors do — fully immersed, well supported, and on the ground.

The result is high-quality, long-tail coverage that reaches national and niche audiences, reinforces the Keweenaw’s reputation as a serious winter destination, and continues to deliver value long after the snow melts.

The 2025 Snow-Venture has resulted in impressive coverage, here’s a few:

Visit Keweenaw looks forward to showing its 2026 group around in February.

Snowventure Snowshoe

Snow-Venture 2025 Snowshoe Tour with MTU Outdoor Adventure Program

 

Digital Passports for Experiencing the Keweenaw

Visit Keweenaw is excited to roll out Bandwango, a new mobile pass platform that makes exploring the Keweenaw more interactive and rewarding. Just in time for Michigan Tech Winter Carnival, one of the first Bandwango passes will spotlight the iconic snow sculptures, inviting visitors to check in as they explore campus and win a chance to get Visit Keweenaw swag along the way. No app required — just your phone, a little curiosity and plenty of snow. This is the first of several Bandwango passes coming to the Keweenaw, with more trails and experiences launching throughout the year. There’s also one for the Pasty Trail.

 

Heikinpäivä Recap

Last weekend, the bear turned over in Hancock. Heikinpäivä filled the streets of Hancock with onlookers experiencing Finnish-American culture and viewing the Hancock International Snow Sculpting Competition. A highlight of the day: The City of Hancock held a brief ceremony to receive the “Tserk”, a trophy to be held during the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture year in 2026. The tserk, or bird, signifies the continuity between Finno-Ugric Communities and was handed over from a representative from Narva, Estonia, the prior capital of culture. It will be on display at the Finnish American Heritage Center all year long.

The designs on Quincy Green were extravagant to see and the Finnish American Heritage Center was bustling all day long with smiling faces. Demonstrations and markets took place, giving locals and visitors a fun day of cultural experiences. Despite the Parade being canceled and the Polar Plunge postponed to Winter Carnival, Hancock still saw an increase in foot traffic and people still attended the festival on a sunny, but chilly day. Visit Keweenaw is a sponsor of Heikinpäivä and helps contribute financially to the Snow Sculpting contest.

Heikinpaiva Snow Sculpture InvitationalFirst place winner by Team Mexico strikes a pose on the Quincy Green

 

Upcoming Events Through February and March

Winter in the Keweenaw is just getting started. Michigan Tech Winter Carnival runs February 4–7, 2026, bringing one of the Midwest’s largest winter festivals to Houghton and Hancock with towering student-built snow sculptures, campus and community events, live music, broomball, and nonstop cold-weather fun. During Carnival week, the Polar Plunge returns Saturday, February 7 from 1–3 p.m. along the Hancock waterfront, pairing icy jumps with hot saunas, warm drinks, and a crowd that shows up ready to cheer. The momentum rolls straight into Jibba Jabba Rail Jam on February 13–14, with a Friday night qualifier followed by a full Saturday rail jam in downtown Houghton featuring creative snow features, top regional riders, music, and a packed street-style atmosphere. Later in the month, CopperDog 150 takes over the peninsula February 27–March 1, bringing elite sled dog teams, community events, and high-energy racing through Calumet, Hancock, and Copper Harbor. Winter wraps with the Great Bear Chase on March 7, one of the Midwest’s largest Nordic ski races, drawing classic and freestyle skiers to Calumet for fast trails, deep snow, and a true Upper Peninsula sendoff to the season.

CopperDog Sled Team in Calumet

 

Visit Keweenaw to Host Insurance Resource for Hospitality Partners in February

To help the local hospitality industry reduce overhead costs, Visit Keweenaw will host representatives from the Kramer Agency in February. The agency specializes in hospitality insurance packages. Interested businesses should reach out to Brad Barnett at bbarnett@visitkeweenaw.com for more details. 
 

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