Keweenaw Snow-Venture 2026: Northern Escape

February 25 - March 2, 2026 

Mark your calendars for Feb. 25 - March 2, 2026, to uncover your next great winter story in Michigan’s northernmost gem: the Keweenaw Peninsula. Here, deep-rooted Finnish traditions, star-filled night skies, and hundreds of miles of snow-covered trails invite you to embrace the thrill of the season on Lake Superior’s wild edge. From the warmth of rustic saunas to the hush of snowshoe trails winding through frozen forests, every moment is a chance to find a story worth sharing.

You’ll meet the people who live it — innovators, guides, and keepers of culture — and experience the landscapes that shape their way of life. The Keweenaw is where cozy comforts meet untamed beauty, and where each spark of winter adventure has a tale behind it.

This year’s press trip is timed with The Annual CopperDog Sled Races! It's the closest most people will ever get to having an Iditarod experience. We'll watch the race start and enjoy the energy around CopperDog weekend.

What is the Keweenaw Snow-Venture 2026?

Visit Keweenaw is hosting the second-annual Keweenaw Snow-Venture (Feb. 25 to March 2, 2026) — a curated winter immersion designed to help travel media uncover new stories, visuals, and experiences in Michigan’s northernmost region. This exclusive, juried press trip connects writers, photographers, and content creators with the people, places, and passions that define the Keweenaw’s winter culture.

A hidden gem of the Midwest, the Keweenaw Peninsula offers unmatched snow quality, a deep enthusiasm for winter, and easy access to authentic adventures — from Nordic Spa escapes and dark-sky photography to backcountry skiing and sauna culture. The Snow-Venture helps media cut through the noise by providing direct access to compelling local voices, ready-to-shoot itineraries, and unique angles that stand out in national publications.

Who Should Come to the Snow-Venture:

Do you love the outdoors and snow? Are you always searching for fresh story angles that capture the magic of winter and the people who thrive in it? The Keweenaw Snow-Venture 2026 is your invitation to experience Michigan’s northernmost peninsula through the lens of a storyteller.

We’re connecting travel media with the characters, landscapes, and cultural traditions that define life near the 47th Parallel — from northern lights and saunas to backcountry trails and Lake Superior’s frozen coastlines. This curated press experience is designed to help journalists and creators discover publishable narratives, capture stunning visuals, and build relationships that lead to future assignments.

Where You’re Going:

Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula is the northernmost point in the state, not including Isle Royale National Park. (Though it is in Keweenaw County.) Water-locked by the deepest and largest of the Great Lakes (Lake Superior), the two-county Keweenaw Peninsula can get up to 300 inches of snow during winter. A popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, the Keweenaw is known for its versatile offerings in winter, including snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and downhill skiing. Media members have the option to fly directly into the market to the Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) from Chicago O’Hare (ORD), which makes traveling here accessible. (More on flights later.)

Trip Itinerary:

(Subject to Change)

Accommodations:

All attendees will stay at The Laurium Manor Inn in the heart of the Keweenaw. It offers a complimentary, homemade breakfast and is a Heritage Site of Keweenaw National Historical Park. The Inn was just recognized as the #1 Historic B&B in America by Newsweek. Conveniently located in Laurium, it's about 15 minutes from the Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX).

Day One: Wednesday, Feb. 25 – Welcome to the Keweenaw

Arrival

• You will likely fly into CMX Airport around 3 p.m. (Please let us know if your flight is different.)

• Visit Keweenaw staff will shuttle you to the Laurium Manor Inn

• Hang out at the Inn and relax until reception, tour the manor, and meet your hosts. Feel free to rest up in your room!

(7–9:30 p.m.) Cocktails and Dinner Reception at Laurium Manor Inn

You're staying at Newsweek's #1 Historic B&B in America! Enjoy the finer side of the Copper Country at the Laurium Manor Inn, where mining magnate Thomas Hoatson once spent summers with his family. This mansion in Laurium is a testament to the wealth seen during the area’s copper rush. Explore the historic mansion featuring a ballroom and unlocked rooms to tour.

Day Two: Thursday, Feb. 26 – Calumet + Laurium

(8–11 a.m.) Slow Keweenaw Morning

• Breakfast at Laurium Manor Inn

• Bus Loads at 8:30 a.m.

• Stroll through Calumet’s historic district with a knowledgeable historian. Pop in various downtown shops and historical buildings.

(11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) Calumet Theatre Tour (continued walking, five blocks)

• The Calumet Theatre opened on March 20, 1900 with a touring Broadway production of Reginald DeKoven’s The Highwaymen. In the ensuing years, the Theatre’s marquee read like a Who’s Who of American Theatre: Madame Helena Modjeska, Lillian Russell, John Phillip Sousa, Sarah Bernhardt, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Lon Chaney, Sr., Jason Robards, Sr., James O’Neill, William S. Hart, Frank Morgan, Wallace and Noah Beery. (Accessibility note: there is a three-story flight of stairs as an optional upper-level tour. Vertigo/heights warning.) The Calumet Theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places and still houses touring acts and community performances.

(1:30 p.m.–3 p.m.) Prohibition Lunch Party at Schute’s Saloon

Walk next door and have lunch at Schute’s, Michigan’s longest operating saloon that survived the prohibition era. Still a popular spot, this bar has many original features intact and is a common spot to find interesting local characters. Catering TBD.
Bus leaves at 3 for Swedetown.

(3:15–5:30 p.m.) Swedetown Trails Day

Check out the Swedetown Trails in Calumet for snowshoeing, skiing or winter hiking.

(6–8:30 p.m.) Dinner at the Misco!

Let’s have dinner at a historic eatery. The Miscowaubik club was once a place for high-profile figures like Henry Ford to dine and then go see a show at the Calumet Theatre. Calumet was once a prosperous mining town and is currently seeing a resurgence of new businesses and restaurants occupying these historical spaces again. Listen to comments from an area night sky photographer, tempting you to join the group for a night sky excursion after dinner!

(8 p.m.–Midnight) Dark Sky Tour w/ Tom Oliver (OPTIONAL)

Join Tom Oliver for a relaxed, low-key night sky viewing excursion focused on learning, experimenting, and enjoying the quiet of the Keweenaw after dark. Tom will guide you to remote spots ideal for stargazing and help you make the most of your camera (or cell phone) to capture night-sky images at your own pace.

Bring many layers to this excursion! It can get down to single digits as the night goes on in the Keweenaw. Hand warmers, a hot thermos, hats, gloves, long johns… all great ideas. Snow pants can be helpful too. Transportation will be provided.

Dark Sky Tour participants are encouraged to share their experience level with dark sky photography, etc., before the tour.

(8:30 p.m.) If Not Attending Dark Sky Tour: Arrive home at Laurium Manor Inn
(1 a.m.) Dark Sky Tour arrives back at Laurium Manor Inn

Day Three: Friday, Feb. 27 – CopperDog Kickoff + Houghton

(7:30 a.m.) Bus Departs from Laurium Manor for Houghton

(8–9:30 a.m.) Isle Royale Talk + Light Breakfast @ Houghton Visitor Center

Start the morning with a light breakfast and an engaging presentation on Isle Royale—one of America’s most remote, rugged national parks. Learn about its unique ecology, wildlife, history, and what makes this Lake Superior island such a compelling place for adventurers, researchers, and storytellers alike.
Bus leaves at 9:30.

(10 a.m.-12 p.m.) Quincy Smelter Tour

Dress warmly for the Smelter! This piece of history is perched on the breezy Portage Canal! The Quincy Smelter was copper’s last step of refinement before being sent off on the Great Lakes to electrify cities like New York, Detroit and Chicago. The walking tour goes across uneven surfaces, through dark spaces and takes you through the inner workings of a copper smelter. You will ride with the group to the Smelter. This tour will help you understand the journey of copper once it leaves the mines.
(48991 Maple St, Hancock | Quincy Smelting Works)

(12:30 p.m.) Lunch at Ambassador

Visit Keweenaw is taking you to lunch! Join us for a tasty, hearty meal at the Ambassador Restaurant. Known for having the Keweenaw Voter’s Choice Awards best pizzas, and tantalising pastas, salads and sandwiches, the “Ambo” is loved by both locals and visitors. Admire the views of the Portage Canal outside its windows and look up to the historic murals covering the ceiling. Try a “fishbowl” cocktail, another cornerstone of the Ambo experience. (Bus will bring you from Quincy Smelter to Ambo and then back to Laurium.)
(126 Shelden Avenue, Houghton | Ambassador Restaurant)

(1–3 p.m.) Scheduled Downtime

Kick back and relax at the Laurium Manor Inn to rest up for CopperDog!
Bus arrives at Laurium Manor at 3:30 p.m. for CopperDog Party.

(4–9 p.m.) CopperDog Volunteer Party

Help dog teams cross streets in Calumet with the Visit Keweenaw team! We’ll bring a grill, hot hand warmers, seats and warm beverages to keep us cozy! (And maybe some Finnish Long Drinks). Dress VERY warm tonight! The sled dogs will be barking, tugging and ready to race! Enjoy the energy of the Keweenaw at one of its most beloved events of the year.

• Visit Keweenaw will make sure our crossing is safe AND fun for dog teams and our media group.

(10 p.m.) Return to Laurium Manor (latest)

Day Four: Saturday, Feb. 28 – Natural Areas + Snowmobile Thrills

(8–11 a.m.) Hot Breakfast Pasty + Guided Winter Hike @ Keweenaw Land Trust Property

(Bus leaves at 8 a.m.) (Same time as Snowmobile Activity, choose between them.)
Let’s get up (dark and) early for a guided winter hike of a Keweenaw Land Trust Area. This group practices land conservation and positive ecological work. We’ll tour one of their beautiful winter nature areas. (You will be returned to Laurium Manor after the hike. Snowshoes or XC skis will be provided.)
(Michigan Tech | Houghton)

(8–11 a.m.) Snowmobile Thrills + Groomer Barn Hang Out

(Same time as the Hike, Choose between them. You still get a breakfast pasty!)
Ride a snowmobile, groomer and see the new dark sky-compliant, energy-efficient grooming facility used by the local club to maintain over 200+ miles of trails. You will ride with VK staff to the groomer barn. Helmets provided. (Bus leaves for lunch at 11:15)

(12–1 p.m.) Lunch at Slim’s in Mohawk

Slim’s has the best pasty (arguably) and best cinnamon rolls in the Keweenaw. Take a sneak peek here to drool.

(1–3 p.m.) Scheduled Downtime

(3–5 p.m.) Saunas at Takka Portage / Pregame at Small Craft for Hockey Game

• Unwind Keweenaw-style with a pre-evening sauna session at Takka Portage. Enjoy the warmth, the winter setting, and a chance to reset before the night’s activities. Afterward, continue the relaxed vibe with a casual pregame meetup at Small Craft, one of Houghton’s coziest spots for conversation and a drink.

(6–8 p.m.) Hockey Game at Michigan Tech

• Houghton is the birthplace of professional hockey. Experience the energy of a hockey game at Michigan Tech, where the atmosphere is lively, the crowd is passionate, and college hockey culture runs deep in the Keweenaw. Grab a seat, enjoy the action on the ice, and take in one of the region’s favorite winter traditions.

(8:15 p.m.) Depart for Laurium Manor Inn
(8:45 p.m.) Arrive at Laurium Manor Inn

Day Five: Sunday, March 1 – Up North

(7 a.m.) Bus Leaves/Transport to Copper Harbor – Light Breakfast Provided (45 min ride)

• We'll make a quick pit stop for photos at the famous Keweenaw Snow Gauge so you can see how tall 300 inches of snow is!

(8–11 a.m.) Keweenaw Mountain Lodge

Tour the historic WPA-era Keweenaw Mountain Lodge on 550+ acres of remote wilderness. It’s a designated quiet area and a DarkSky International-certified Keweenaw Dark Sky Park. Hear about the lodge’s origin and see what guests get to experience here. Brief outdoor walk included.
(14252 US-41 | Copper Harbor)

(1–6 p.m.) Mount Bohemia Ski Resort (35 min ride from Calumet)

If you’re an expert skier – Mount Bohemia is right up your alley. If not – snowshoeing is available and you can hang out in the Nordic Spa. Featuring two steam rooms, two outdoor hot tubs and four saunas, you will spend an afternoon skiing, snowboarding, or just enjoying the nordic spa. Pizza dinner and drinks provided. (The bus will transport you around to Copper Harbor and Mount Bohemia from the Mountain Lodge.) (No equipment is available at Mount Bohemia. Let Jesse Wiederhold know at (989) 551-3191 or jesse@visitkeweenaw.com if you’d like to partake. He will need to pre-reserve your equipment.)
(6532 Gay Lac La Belle Rd | Mohawk)

(6 p.m.) Bus Departs Bohemia
(6:30–8 p.m.) Night Cap at Cliff View Bar

• A new bar opened near the Cliff Range is a hub for snowmobilers and folks traveling up and down US-41.

(8:45 p.m.) Arrive home at Laurium Manor.

• Rest up for travel home tomorrow!

Day Six: Monday, March 2 – Flights Home: 8a @ CMX

Visit Keweenaw staff will shuttle you to your flight at CMX Airport (8a flight, leave LMI by 6:45 a.m.) It’s a single-terminal airport, so just an hour lead time is needed/plenty of time to go through security and board.

Pre/Post Tour Opportunities (Case-by-Case)

For media members with confirmed assignments or an established portfolio looking to explore the Keweenaw beyond the hosted itinerary, Visit Keweenaw may consider case-by-case extensions or curated add-on experiences. These are not set pre/post-tours—instead, they are potential directions we can explore if you have an outlet interested or a story angle that merits additional time.

MEDIA MEMBERS: LET US HOST YOU!

Visit Keweenaw wants to treat you to the ultimate snowbound experience in the Keweenaw Peninsula. To help make the trip affordable and impactful for your audiences, we’re picking up the following for you (excludes rentals/meals/experiences for spouses/partners):

• Five Complimentary Hotel Room Nights (Laurium Manor Inn, Laurium, Michigan)
• Meals + Drinks on itinerary
• Any equipment rentals/needs
• $250 Flight Reimbursement
• Entrance Fees + Ticket Experiences

❄️ WHAT TO BRING: The Ultimate Keweenaw Snow-Venture Packing List

(We want you warm, happy, and able to enjoy every snowy moment!)

The Keweenaw in February is stunning — sparkly snow, cozy bonfires, crisp shoreline air — but it’s also legitimately cold. Last year, a few attendees underestimated how fast the chill can sneak up during night hikes, outdoor photography, or even just walking between events.

So here’s your friendly reminder:
It’s never too cold… You just have to dress properly. 😉

This list covers everything you’ll need for hikes, spa time, dinners, workshops, hockey, bus rides, and any optional post/pre-tours.

🧥 Core Winter Clothing

You’ll be outdoors for extended periods, so warm, layered clothing is essential.

Must-haves:

• Heavy insulated winter coat

• Thermal base layers (top + bottom)

• Midlayer fleece or wool sweater

• Waterproof snow pants

• Warm winter hat/beanie (please bring one!)

• Insulated gloves or mittens

• Wool socks (bring multiple pairs)

• Scarf or neck gaiter

• Insulated winter boots (waterproof = ideal)

• Hand/toe warmers (lifesavers on night outings)

📸 Outdoor Adventure & Photography Gear

For hikes, frozen shoreline excursions, nighttime activities, and any photography-focused storytelling.

• Camera + lenses

• Tripod

• Extra batteries (the cold drains them quickly)

• Memory cards

• Headlamp (for sunset + night activities)

• Snowshoes (optional if you prefer using your own)

• Skis/snowboard (if you plan to tack on extra personal time) - you can use your own equipment at Mount Bohemia Ski Resort

🛷 Snowmobiling Gear (if doing the optional add-on)

• Balaclava or face mask

• Snowmobile-approved goggles

• Windproof outer layers

• Heated or heavy-duty gloves

🌊 Spa & Indoor Relaxation Essentials

For the Nordic Spa, pool areas, and cozy downtime.

• Swimsuit

• Sandals/flip-flops

• Comfortable lounge clothing

• Robe (optional; spa provides towels)

• Hair ties/clips

• Some folks like to wear a beanie in the Sauna

🎟️ For Dinners, Shows & Hockey

You’ll be going from warm buses to chilly sidewalks to warm venues — layers are your friend.

• Casual-but-nice outfit for dinner + events

• Extra warm layer for outdoor transitions

• Small bag or crossbody for nights out

🎒 Helpful Extras

• Reusable water bottle

• Notebook/journal

• Medications + personal care items

• Portable charger

• Snacks for the bus or trails

If you pack with warmth and comfort in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy every snowy corner of the Keweenaw — from the spa pools to the midnight sky.

QUESTIONS? SEND THEM OUR WAY

Make this the winter you get out and experience something unforgettable. Have any questions? Reach out to Jesse Wiederhold, Managing Director at Visit Keweenaw at jesse@visitkeweenaw.com or call (989) 551-3191. We're happy to answer any questions!