As bitter cold grips Michigan, winter festivals eye cautious return in 2025

• Popular winter events are making a comeback after being canceled in previous years due to a lack of snow 
• Organizers are cautiously optimistic that there will be sufficient snow and sufficient ice this year 
• But there are contingency plans in place so that people can still enjoy their favorite winter activities

As cold grips Michigan, organizers of celebrated winter events such as North American Vasa Nordic ski and bicycle races and the UP200 dog race are cautiously optimistic after years of cancelations due to lack of snow.

Temperatures have remained below freezing for days in most of Michigan and will remain so for more than a week, warming the spirits of some organizers of winter festivities. 

“We recognize how important these events are to the communities,” said Darlene Waltz, president of the UP200 sled dog race in Marquette.

“No matter what, we are committed to having a winter event … whether we can run the dog teams or not.” 

Related:

• Michigan’s lost winter cancels sturgeon season, ski, dog sled races 
• Study: Climate change means fewer freezing winter days in Michigan

The sled dog race was nixed in 2023 because of heavy rains. Last year, weather forced organizers to scrap the race and host a downtown festival instead.

That is the plan again this year for the event set for Feb. 14 to 17.

Event organizers are anxiously monitoring weather forecasts, which are a mixed bag. 

Seasonal snowfall totals in much of northern Michigan are above average, with Sault Ste. Marie getting 96 inches so far, nearly double what is typical for this time of year. 

But much of the snow came earlier this year, with many areas left with little cover, despite the cold.

Some events that had been canceled in the past few years are going on as planned, such as the Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race that returns  Friday and runs  through Sunday.

Others are following the lead of the UP200 and are making contingency plans.

Canceled or modified the past three years, the North American Vasa Nordic ski and bicycle races are scheduled for Feb. 8 and 9 at the Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City. 

This year, if there isn’t enough snow, organizers said they will move the race to Hickory Hills Recreation Area, a nearby ski resort that can make snow.

“We wanted to make sure we had a race this year,” said race director Ken Dawson. 

“And like all other cross-country venues around the world, they are now planning for climate change and they've been (adding) some snow-making ability.” 

This is the first year that there has been a backup plan in place, which Dawson said gave people an incentive to sign up early. 

“Last year, it was canceled. The year before that we had to shorten it… and the year before that was COVID. So we've had a pretty rough go,” he said. 

Black sturgeon fishing season will return this year after the Michigan Department of Natural Resources canceled last year for the first time since the season started in 1947, said Jay Woiderski, president of the Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon For Tomorrow. 

The season only is scheduled for a few days because only six total fish can be caught. It is set to start Feb. 1 and sometimes only lasts a few hours.

Last year, the Black Lake chapter still hosted its annual shivaree, where families come out with their snowmobiles and enjoy games, food and music. 

This year, the shivaree is Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. 

As climate change continues to present more challenges, organizers may have to get used to contingency planning. 

A new report from the nonprofit Climate Central suggests that Michigan has nine less days of below freezing temperatures each year due to climate change.