Winter storm poses challenges in Central U.P.

What’s happening: A blizzard just before St. Patrick’s Day greatly impacted the Central Upper Peninsula, challenging local plowing efforts, disrupting events and pushing emergency response crews to new levels. The worst-hit area was Alger County, where areas near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore received more than five feet of fresh snow. Superior Central Schools was unable to resume classes for six school days. 

The impact: Local business leaders are trying to figure out the challenges this 50-year storm will create for the Central U.P.’s seasonal economy, ranging from planting dates for farmers, travel logistics for timber harvests and how to implement seasonal shutdowns in the services and tourism industries. The increased snow load will not make it easier for many business owners and employees in industries like farming, timber and commercial fishing. The extra snow, however, could benefit hotels, restaurants and snowmoible shops that rely on winter tourism. Because of consistent snowfall across the state and the Great Lakes, winter tourism business has been diluted in the U.P., tourism officials said.

What they’re saying: “Snow this late in the season isnt necessarily a blessing as many have already flipped to spring break and building to summer tourism. Looking at future effects, the hope is obviously that it would warm up and stay warm, because we need the snow gone by May,” said Munising Visitors Bureau President Cori-Ann Cearley. “But in the short term, this definitely made it better for winter tourism enthusiasts, as the hotels that are open right now have plenty of snowmobile trailers filling the parking lots and some of the restaurants that would have closed for seasonal cleaning by now have stayed open.”

What’s next: Business owners and management staff are working to identify financial strengths compared to increased risks from the late snowfall. Many businesses that were closed during the winter are maintaining their usual opening schedule, with eyes on late April or early May. Winter tourism messaging will continue until a more significant melt occurs.