XC Skiing & Fat Biking

Escape to a true winter wonderland, where an annual 270 inches of snowfall blankets our landscape. Whether on a classic XC skis, snowshoes or a fatbike,  Copper Harbor has a winter trail for you – and they are all dog friendly, too! From December through mid-April, adventures may either explore at a leisurely pace or step it up a few notches for a real challenging workout up ridge-lines with rewarding vista views. Snowmobilers will delight in one of the Upper Peninsula’s premier trail systems with direct access to/from the services of Copper Harbor.

The trailhead for the original 9 km of winter trails is centrally located behind the Copper Harbor Welcome Center with ample parking, restrooms and easy access to nearby Food & Drink, Shops & Galleries and Lodging. This trailhead provides access to 9 km to two-way trails that allow for variations of loops and distances. It is a multi-use system regularly groomed by the Copper Harbor Improvement Association, and includes classic ski tracks and a separate lane for fatbikers and snowshoers. (NOTE: Copper Harbor single-track Mountain Bike trails are NOT groomed for fatbiking.)  

This 9 km is an easy rated trail system consisting of mostly leisurely terrain. The landscape is relatively flat and offers a variety of beautiful settings including wooded sections, open meadows, scenic views along the shore of Lake Fanny Hooe and several glimpses of grand Lake Superior. Maps are available at the Gas Lite General Store.

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge welcomes each snowfall as an opportunity for adventure. Their grounds have 10 km of groomed, classic cross-country-ski trails. These trails are conveniently located right outside the cabins and are a mix of wooded terrain and open spaces. With multiple loop options one can head out for a quick ski or combine the loops for a longer day. Recommended to bring your classic gear or can ask staff where xc skis can be rented. If looking to explore the fresh snow off of the groomed trails the lodge has Altia Hok Skis for rent. With a partial climbing skin integrated into the base, these ski climbs with ease and the ski’s short, wide design makes it incredibly maneuverable, ideal for thick woods and variable terrain. 

In early 2020 a few dedicated community volunteers put forth the ambitious effort to diversify and triple the winter trails and have name them the, “End of the Road Winter Trails.” In short, these trails consist of 16 km of advanced trails starting at US-41’s turnaround (i.e. the beginning of US-41).

Checkout this website for current trails and grooming info.