There’s Snow Place Like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula According to Recent USA Today Contests

We love seeing Michigan get national recognition in USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice polls looking for the best of the best when it comes to U.S. Travel. Two recent contests saw the Upper Peninsula bring home top honors as it was named Best Destination for Snow, while Mount Bohemia (Lac La Belle) took home the award for Best Ski Resort in North America. It’s great to see all of this recognition and also a good time to look at the reasons for both awards finding their way to Michigan. The USA Today readers seem to think there’s “snow place” like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as we head into the 2023/2024 winter season.

For the Best Destination for Snow contest, USA Today said: “From, skiing and sledding to snowshoeing and snowmobiling, there’s plenty to do during winter in the Upper Peninsula towns of Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette. And while much of Mackinac Island is closed in winter, the trails are open for cross-country skiing in Mackinac Island State Park.” Winter is also a great time to see frozen waterfalls, explore ice caves, go ice climbing, or enjoy a local festival. A few years ago we made our first winter visit and it was great to see all of our favorite landmarks looking a bit different for the winter season.

The case for Mount Bohemia as Best Ski Resort said: “Powder skiing in the Midwest? That’s the promise from Mount Bohemia, where lake effect snow in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula averages 273 inches a season and tends toward the light, fluffy stuff that skiers further west adore. In addition to having the longest runs and most vertical drop of any ski area in the Midwest, Mount Bohemia features open runs, glades, and chutes — all with natural conditions since the resort doesn’t groom any of its trails.” You can find out more about Mount Bohemia at mtbohemia.com.