HOUGHTON, Mich. (WZMQ) – As the Keweenaw Peninsula gains more and more snow, they’re looking to close in on an all-time record this season.
Managing Director for Visit Keweenaw, Jesse Wiederhold says this weather has been a refresher from previous years.
“Just last week, we had about 50 inches in five days,” he said. “It really makes up for two winters ago when we had really low snow totals. Folks are still just determined to get out there and hit that snow, and this is the year for it.”
The agency has reported over 75 inches in February, already over 40 inches more than this time last year. The area is closing in on nearby record for total snowfall, with less than 100 inches to go.
“As of Monday, (3/2) we had 290.5 total inches,” said Wiederhold. “That record in Keweenaw County is 390.4 inches, and I still don’t think it’d be too crazy if we hit it.”
Wiederhold says the season hasn’t just been beneficial for his neck of the woods; organizations around the U.P. have all tracked in a surge of winter tourism.
“Other destinations do have snow too, so folks are going to communities like Marquette or Ironwood for winter activities as well,” he said. “Things are going strong in the Keweenaw, in fact, we’ve had more folks up here than last year.”
Surrounded by a melting period, with more lake effect snow around the corner, Visit Keweenaw encourages as much winter enjoyment until the very last snowbank melts. So far, their annual snowfall guessing contest has only out ruled a quarter of its submissions, with around 450 optimistic guesses still on the board. That winner will be declared by April 30.
For more information, visit visitkeweenaw.com.
