HANCOCK, Mich. (WZMQ) – It’s said that the winter season doesn’t officially begin in the Keweenaw until the lower level of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge opens its ways for the tens of thousands of snowmobilers who travel across it each year.
“The bridge is usually the signal to everybody that the trails are in pretty good shape and are ready to start riding,” said Ryan LaPorte, president of the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club.
As of now, about 225 miles of trails are open from Toivola to High Rock in Copper Harbor. These trails are groomed as often as possible, with hopes that the bridge is set up with enough snow for the season.
“We typically only have to put snow down once a year, barring any major melts, we’d have to add some here or there, but we groom it nightly,” said Laporte. “We know by some trail counters that there’s 50,000 to 60,000 sleds that are riding the trails any given winter.”
The annual tradition is brought on by the City of Houghton, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and US Coast Guard Station Portage. The trail system itself is made possible by the local communities, serving as an economic boost for its businesses as well as sponsors for the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club.
“Without those supporters, we wouldn’t have a trail system like the way that we do, and a way to maintain the equipment,” explained LaPorte. “So much of our community depends on it, there’s estimates of over $40 million a year that come from snowmobiling in the region. Without that, a lot of our businesses that are sponsors would not be able to operate throughout the winter season.”
More information on how to become a member of your local snowmobile club can be found at misorva.org.
