Keweenaw Winter Guide: Family Edition

Where Families Play in Winter

Transforming into the ultimate winter wonderland each winter, the Keweenaw Peninsula makes for the best family vacation offering endless opportunities for families to create magical memories. Whether you’re exploring scenic trails, sharing downhill ski thrills, marveling at local winter events, or cozying up indoors on a snowy day, the Keweenaw is the perfect destination for a family-friendly adventure. Bundle up, pack your sense of wonder, and get ready to discover why winter in the Keweenaw is an unforgettable experience!

Winter provides a new way to explore the Keweenaw Peninsula, making even historic locations a fun winter destination!

Snowy Trails for Families

From Chassell to Copper Harbor, the Keweenaw boasts a wide network of groomed trails perfect for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking. These family-friends silent winter sports are a wonderful way to experience the pristine beauty of the snowy Keweenaw northwoods together, and are adaptable to all ages and skill levels! Whether your crew is looking for a challenge or you’ve got little learners, there’s a perfect trail for you!

Trails and nature areas become magical snowy playscapes, a perfect backdrop for childhood memories.

For some easy loops and scenic overlooks, the Swedetown Trails in Calumet make for the perfect gentle trails for snowshoeing, snowbiking, and cross country skiing. Locals love Swedetown’s sled hill, and is conveniently adjacent to the parking area! Be sure to purchase a trail day pass and check out the chalet for bathrooms and warming up. 

Maasto Hiihto Trails in Hancock offer kid-friendly cross-country routes, are close to sledding hills and other skating at the Houghton County Ice Arena. The Churning Rapids Snowbike trails near here welcome fat tire exploration. These trails are also dog-friendly, so if your family has a four-legged companion, bring them along! (Pick up after your leashed pup!)

Nara Nature Park near Michigan Tech is perfect for quick family hikes, snowshoe outings, and there’s a sledding hill close to the parking lot. A warm chalet is open for all to use, perfect for snack time and changing out of wet snow pants. 

If the North is calling your name, there are more rugged destinations to explore! Mount Baldy can be ascended by snowshoe or backcountry Hok ski. After a gradual to moderate 3 mile incline, you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of Lake Superior and the northern Keweenaw Peninsula. Frozen Lake Superior’s shorelines are your destination when you trek through Horseshoe Harbor. For folks who want to experience a serene side of Mount Bohemia, explore the snowshoe paths that wind up Cliff View Trail and around the mountain (especially beautiful at nightfall with lantern-lit paths)!

Trek with your crew to unforgettable views of Lake Superior and Lac la Belle from the snowy outlooks on Mount Bohemia!

Want a brag-worthy ski memory? Head to the start of US41 at the tip of Copper Harbor, and ski beyond the highway’s origin. Follow the Mandan Road until you find Copper Harbor Trails Club “End of the Road Trails!” The mountain biking trails of Copper Harbor’s East Bluff become groomed cross country ski paths for a family excursion that get you to the farthest reaches of the Keweenaw Peninsula!

Local volunteers and organizations help keep the trails maintained year-round on the peninsula - find daily updates on our Snowfall & Trail Conditions page! Strap on a pair of snowshoes, if your kids are small enough you can pull them behind in sleds, and pack a thermos of cocoa with plenty of snacks for breaks. Experiencing the serene magic of a pristine snow-laden forest together is what makes these Copper Country trails a bucket-list family destination.

Local Tip: Don’t have the gear or can’t pack the gear? Don’t worry! Check below for a list of locations to find rentals.

Family-Friendly Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding

Bundled up outings on the bunny hill or carving powder with the crew is a classic Michigan winter moment! Michigan Tech’s Mont Ripley Ski Area central location in Ripley (literal minutes from either Hancock or Houghton downtowns) gets you onto the slopes in record time. Two chair lifts get you access to 24 runs and beautiful views of the Portage Canal waterway, and a vertical of 400 feet ensure thrills for experienced riders but also manageable runs for those learning. Clock in run after run, and then apres ski back downtown in a manner of moments!

If your family takes skiing and snowboarding seriously, experienced riders need to add Mount Bohemia to their riding quiver. Ungroomed backcountry glades mixed with 111 trails offer incredible downhill experiences for families who shred. Verifiably in North America’s top ski resorts, forge family bonds in the challenge of Mount Bohemia!

Best Sledding Hills in the Keweenaw 

When it comes to sledding, the Keweenaw Peninsula is full of spots where families can enjoy the thrill of a snowy downhill ride. The Quincy Green in Hancock is a popular spot for families with younger kids because of the gentle slope and wide spaces. Swedetown Trails in Calumet has hills of varying levels right near the parking lot, no pass required to sled. For a more organized experience, head to Mont Ripley Tubing Park, where you’ll find groomed tubing lanes and a lift to bring you back up for another run. Back at Nara Nature Trails, you can follow the Lookout Loop trail to find the sled hill.

The Nara Sled hill is just the right size for thrill seekers of all ages!

Ice Skating Fun

Strap on your skates, and glide into a fun family moment!

Glide into winter fun on some of the Keweenaw’s ice rinks! The Laurn Grove Park Rink in Hancock is a beloved community spot, featuring a well-maintained ice surface. The Houghton County Arena offers open skating sessions ideal for beginners and seasoned skaters alike. The Calumet Colosseum hosted the Detroit Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues in September of 2019, making this an exciting ice rink. Skate on historic ice at The Dee Stadium - this rink stands where professional hockey got its start. Outdoor enthusiasts can check out pop-up or community-maintained rinks throughout the area, providing a charming winter atmosphere under the open sky. You can find a complete list of ice rinks in our Ice Skating Guide. 

Keweenaw Winter Events for Families

There is no shortage of events to be found throughout the winter season. From winter sports match-ups, to annual holiday traditions, and the highly anticipated Winter Carnival, you are sure to find an enjoyable event for your family. Houghton’s Winter Wonderland transforms the downtown area into a festive escape with twinkling lights, cheerful activities, and visits from Santa. The iconic Winter Carnival at Michigan Tech draws visitors from near and far, with stunning life-size snow sculptures, family activities, and exciting events like the torchlight parade and fireworks. 

Winter Carnival brings winter fantasy and whimsy to life with snow statues and fun ways to play in MTU's snow!

Winter means ice, and ice means hockey! As the home of professional hockey, the Copper Country is serious about the sport! Head to The Dee Stadium to witness an exciting Portage Pioneers match-up where the Amphidrome once stood and hockey history was made. See the Calumet Kings face off against rivals in the Calumet Colosseum - the oldest operating ice rink in North America. The MacInnes Ice Arena at Michigan Tech showcases NCAA Division I collegiate hockey for a fun night that all can get into - especially with the antics of the Michigan Tech Huskies Pep Band in play!

For a cultural celebration, Heikinpäivä in Hancock highlights the area’s Finnish heritage with traditional crafts, delicious food, and unique activities like the kicksled race. Adventure-loving families will enjoy the CopperDog 150, a thrilling dog sled race that winds through Keweenaw’s scenic landscapes. They also host a kids day event, where kids are allowed to ride in the dog sleds and have hot cocoa. For those snowboarding enthusiasts, Jibba Jabba Rail Jam in downtown Houghton is a winter event with a special course that skiers and snowboarders can perform tricks on.

Who knows what inspiration can grow when inspired by high-flying winter spectacle, like Houghton's Jibba Jabba Rail Jam!

Indoor Activities for Snowy Days

Winter fun doesn’t stop with outdoor activities! The Keweenaw is home to many fun and educational indoor spots. The Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts can have family-friendly performances or special holiday shows. The Portage Lake District Library offers children’s programs, craft sessions, or reading hours in front of a fireplace with waterfront views - a perfect cozy break! For a watery indoor break, try staying at a local hotel with a swimming pool for a warm, water-based activity. Or, dive deep into the local Finnish history and culture by visiting the Finnish American Heritage Center. Then try a family sauna at one of the public saunas like Takka Sauna, or at a private lodge or vacation stay, like Americinn by Wyndham in Calumet. Want to learn more about how to sauna? Check out our all-inclusive guide: Saunas & Spas.

Where to Find the Best Hot Cocoa

Nothing warms little hands and big smiles like a steaming cup of hot cocoa, and the Keweenaw has plenty of cozy spots! 5th & Elm in Hancock serves up rich hot chocolate, along with savory soups and sandwiches. In Calumet, Keweenaw Coffee Works offers creative twists like Mexican hot chocolate, topped with house made whip. For a touch of adventure, stop by Jamsen’s in Copper Harbor, where you can enjoy hot chocolate paired with a picturesque view of the harbor. With an array of cozy cafes or drink stops, there’s no shortage of perfect cocoa locations!

Tips for a Fun Family Winter Adventure

Don't skimp on winter! With so many events, outdoor activities, and community experiences - there's so much to do!

• Pack warm, waterproof layers and packing essentials like extra socks, gloves, and snacks. 

• A thermos for hot cocoa or tea for trail picnics or sledding breaks is sure to warm up the whole family. 

• Snow gear rentals can be found at local shops like Cross Country Sports in Calumet and the Michigan Tech Outdoor Adventure Program in Houghton offer snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals for kids and adults. Downhill skiers and snowboarders can rent gear at Mont Ripley Ski Hill in Hancock or Mount Bohemia in Lac La Belle, while general winter gear rentals are available at Down Wind Sports in Houghton. 

• Be sure to check the weather forecast and trail conditions ahead of time to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing. 

• Pre-download trail maps or pick up physical copies from trailheads or the Visit Keweenaw Welcome Center. 

• With early sunset times, bring along headlamps or flashlights to light your way, and always keep safety in mind when skating or sledding.