Winter at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge begins on December 15, when the groomed trails open and the complimentary lunch and dinner for cabin guests begin.
The Keweenaw receives some of the deepest snowfall in the Midwest (average annual snowfall: 270 inches) and the Lodge welcomes cabin guests during the winter season from December 15th to March 31st. Winter here is quiet, self-paced, and close to nature, which is the reason the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge exists. This post explains what to expect, what is included with your stay, and how to plan.
Trails open December 15
The winter trails open on December 15th and stay open through March 31st, depending on the weather. Snowshoeing happens on a mixture of groomed, packed trails and trails where you forge the path. Cross-country skiing happens on groomed, packed trails — tracks are laid depending on the condition of the snow and the equipment that cabin guests are using. Both are on the property, so there is no driving between your cabin and the snow.
The trails are self-led. Guests set their own pace, choose their own route, and decide how long to stay out. Plan on an unhurried day in the snow rather than a scheduled activity.
Two winter experiences are worth timing around the moon. Full moons are the best nights for a snowshoe hike, and new moons are the best nights for stargazing and northern lights. The Lodge is the headquarters of the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, and stargazing is best from October through April — when the nights are longer than the days.
Complimentary Lunch and Dinner, December 15th through March 31st
Every lodging reservation already includes a from-scratch breakfast burrito and drip coffee, served from 8am to 11am at the Little Cabin Café all year. From December 15th through March 31st, the Lodge adds a complimentary lunch and a complimentary dinner.
- Lunch: dine-in, 12pm to 2pm.
- Dinner: pickup at 5pm, so you can carry it back to your cabin and eat by the fireplace.
- Reservations: advance reservations are required, and neither meal is served on Sundays.
All food at the Lodge is rustic worldly food: a limited menu, made from scratch, and meant for slow dining. Every cabin guest must be registered to receive a complimentary meal. This lets the kitchen prepare the right amount and keeps food waste low, which is very important to the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.
For a longer evening, Chef Wi hosts private dinners year-round in the historic Lodge. It is a one-on-one four-course meal of about three hours, with a limited menu that changes each week. Book at least two weeks ahead.
Plan Your Winter Stay
The Lodge is closed for staff vacation from November 16th through December 14th, so the winter season opens with the trails and the meals on December 15th. The forest-side cabins (15 through 25) are closed from October 16th through May 15th, so winter guests stay in the golf-course-side cabins, 1 through 14. Fireplaces, forced-air furnaces, and electric baseboard heat keep the cabins warm, and firewood is provided in the wood-burning cabins.
Everything at the Lodge is by advance reservation, and check-in and check-out are contactless. The Lodge is a self-paced place, and guests are free to explore the trails, the night sky, and the quiet on their own schedule. Guests who want downhill skiing can also visit Mt. Bohemia, less than 15 miles away.
Reserve your cabin on the availability calendar or through the lodging reservation form. The full hours of operation are on the website.