Paula Porter, for the Gazette Up to two feel of snow fell on the Keweenaw in a 48 hour period over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Combined with Sunday's snowfall, the Keweenaw is inching toward 100 inches for the season so far.

HOUGHTON — A powerful, wind-driven winter system over the weekend has pushed the Keweenaw Peninsula close to its 100-inch snowfall mark for the season, setting the stage for some of the Midwest’s best midwinter conditions. The region has fresh snow and is ready for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.

According to a press release from Visit Keweenaw, peninsula was doused with up to 14 inches of snow as of Monday morning (see above article), bringing seasonal totals tantalizingly close to the 100-inch milestone. More lake-effect snow is in the forecast for the rest of the week – making it a perfect time to plan your ski, snowmobile or snowshoe trip. Ski hills are open and riding well, cross-country ski trails are groomed and tracking beautifully, and snowmobilers are once again cruising through downtowns like Houghton and Hancock.

“This is exactly what people come to the Keweenaw for,” said Visit Keweenaw Executive Director Brad Barnett. “Deep snow, great trail conditions, and that true Upper Peninsula winter atmosphere you just can’t find anywhere else in the Midwest.”

With consistent snowfall, cold temperature and an active grooming schedule, conditions are shaping up for an outstanding stretch of winter recreation. Whether it’s downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or ice fishing, the Keweenaw is delivering on all fronts right now. And with more snow on the way, now is the time to plan a trip north. Because when winter shows up like this — it’s game on in the Keweenaw.