The long line of snowmobile trailers proves that Krupp’s Resort in Toivola has had no trouble staying busy this winter with their 100 spots almost always filled with visitors. (Photo courtesy of Krupp’s Resort)

COPPER COUNTRY — If this winter’s total snowfall already surpassing the entirety of last winter’s amount has not been proof enough that the Copper Country is in better business shape, then the hundreds of snowmobilers riding trails and parked in front of hotels and restaurants should be another indicator. Several businesses and lodging facilities are reporting a return to normal after a lackluster previous winter.

Visit Keweenaw recently released reports to showcase the comparison from Dec. 2023 and Jan. 2024 to Dec. 2024 and Jan. 2025 regarding occupancy rates for the region. Dec. 2023 held a 27.6% occupancy rate and Jan. 2024 held a 38.8% occupancy rate. This winter has seen a large increase with Dec. 2024 reporting 30.8% and Jan. 2025 reporting 57.1%.

These increases bode well for the local economy with the average winter visitor spending $397.44 per trip.

Visit Keweenaw references the University of Michigan’s study, “Understanding Tourism Impacts in the Western U.P.” published in May 2024, to estimate how much a visitor spends in the area on a particular trip. Last year, Visit Kewenaw estimated tourists and visitors spent approximately $12 million in the Keweenaw in total, and with the return of winter tourists the organization expects to see an increase of $3 million in spending.

“It’s fantastic to see the region’s visitor economy rebound this winter,” Executive Director of Visit Keweenaw Brad Barnett said. “Our region’s been blessed with good snow so far, and that’s allowed the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club to groom trails, ski resorts to open, and our winter events to return in full force. These great conditions are attracting visitors from across the Midwest to the Keweenaw making for a very successful start to the season.”

The reports from Visit Keweenaw are anecdotally reflected in local businesses and lodging. Krupp’s Resort in Toivola had only 2% income last year and has reported that it is back to 100%. The owner of the resort, Casandra Coponen, said that last year she had to sell a truck, pontoon and a plow to keep the business afloat. She said she was thankful for the locals who came to support the business in a difficult time, but now those difficult times are staying in 2024.

Krupp’s Resort has reported 200 snowmobilers coming in and out of the area per day. The resort can hold up to 100 people and has been booked fully, nearly if not entirely, everyday.

“I have an outpouring of gratitude to folks who’ve come to support the area,” Coponen said. “And a big thank you to the trail groomers who are out there so many hours a day.”

AmericInn in Calumet reported a 75% increase from last year for guest attendance. It was a different experience for the hotel this year with phones ringing constantly after the winter’s first major snowfall. General Manager Diane Neitzel said that not only have the guests returned, but the snowmobile groups they come in have grown as well.

“The guests are all in a good mood,” she said. “They bring in their stories from their day on the trails and can’t stop talking about it.”

Neitzel said the hotel is looking forward to serving the tourists for the rest of the winter and hopes they will consider staying in the summer.

Near the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Mariner North Resort in Copper Harbor is also seeing significant improvements. The resort reported a 90% increase in business, and co-owner Peg Kauppi attributes it to more than just the snowmobilers. She said that the skiers who run on Mount Bohemia sometimes seek lodging and food at the resort.

Kauppi said that while last year did have positives such as not moving snow and cutting back on heating bills, the damage it did to winter exclusive businesses was too damaging to afford another repeat of an ill winter. She said the difference this year is night and day.

“We’re feeling optimistic about February and hope this continues,” Kauppi said.