There’s a reason Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has claimed the title of the number one 10Best Destination for Snow three years running. The 2025 USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Award confirms what locals and visitors have known for generations: the U.P. is the ultimate playground for snow lovers. Here, winter isn’t just a season; it’s a thrill, a tradition and an invitation to rediscover its peacefulness again and again.

 

Welcome to the #1 Destination for Snow Adventures

In the U.P., we always hope to top our average annual snowfall, an incredible 200 to 300 inches between late October and mid-April. With so little vehicle traffic to disturb it, our landscape stays a pristine wilderness beckoning you to go outside and play. Our beautiful peninsula extends into three Great Lakes, Huron, Michigan and Superior, which serve as natural lake-effect snow machines. The mightiest, Lake Superior, churns out some of the deepest powder and the most adrenaline-charged snow days.

This is a premier destination for finding freedom on 3,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails crisscrossing from Ironwood to Drummond Island. Over 300 frozen waterfalls leave adventurers in jaw-dropping awe. And sports enthusiasts revel in the exhilarating fun of pickup pond hockey games, white-knuckle luge runs or reeling in the tastiest walleye and perch from our iced-covered bays and inland lakes. 

Tom Nemacheck, executive director of the Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association, says people find happiness exploring hundreds of miles of scenic cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. They chase away the winter blues at spirit-lifting carnivals and festivals. And rolling in the snow after a soothing Finnish sauna often becomes the most talked-about memory of the winter.

Top Winter Activities in the U.P.

No matter what your age or skill level, everyone can celebrate the snow. Join us for hours of fun:

  • Snowmobiling: Named the “Best Place to Snowmobile” year after year, the U.P. features scenic trails that weave through forests, frozen lakes, and even past historic sites.
  • Ice Climbing: Scale frozen waterfalls like the ones at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
  • Downhill skiing and snowboarding: The U.P.’s long runs, high verticals and deep powder rival renowned ski destinations like Aspen and Taos.
  • Fat tire biking: Riding along sun-sparkling trails or with the Northern Lights as your backdrop.
  • Dog Sledding and discovering magical ice caves: U.P. activities that are truly unforgettable.

Choose Your Snow Destination

To make the most of your trip, visit our U.P. Winter Planning Guide for detailed recommendations on lodging, must-see attractions and winter travel tips. A hot beverage and a hearty meal will be waiting for you when you arrive. Let your snow-filled adventures begin on our trails, slopes and alongside our frozen waterfalls — see you out there soon.