Snowmobiling
Snowmobile Trails
Ride about 250 groomed miles, linking Iron River and Crystal Falls to the wider U.P. trail system.
Trail Guide906-214-2308
906-265-9100
40 E Adams St
Iron River, MI 49935
Things to Do in Iron County, Michigan in Winter
Iron County • Michigan
Winter settles in deep up here, and Iron County makes good use of it: snowmobile trails, two ski hills, frozen lakes and quiet groomed trails, with this season's dates and a warm room close to all of it.
70 IN.
Of snow in an average winter, more in the big ones
250 MILES
Of groomed snowmobile trail
NOV. 20
Ski Brule aims to open the lifts
DEC. 1
State snowmobile trails open for the season
Western Upper Peninsula
What Is Winter Like in Iron County, Michigan?
Iron County sits in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula, just over the Wisconsin border. An average winter lays down about 70 inches of snow, and the big ones bring more. Iron River, Crystal Falls, Caspian and Amasa sit back in the woods, with forest, lakes and rivers all around.
All that snow goes to good use. It keeps about 250 miles of snowmobile trail groomed from December through March. It covers the runs at Ski Brule, south of Iron River, and the cross-country and fat bike trails there and at Young's. Once the lakes freeze over, the anglers walk out onto the ice.
It's closer than most folks expect. Iron County is nearer to Green Bay than to Detroit, and nearer to Minneapolis than to Chicago, so a winter weekend here is within reach from Wisconsin and Minnesota as well as the rest of Michigan.
Pick Your Winter
Things to Do in Iron County, Michigan in Winter
Most winter trips up here start with one thing you came for. Pick yours, and the guide has the dates, the details and the local tips.
Downhill
Ski Brule & Crystella
Ski Brule has 17 runs, tubing and night skiing, and kids 9 and under ski free. Crystella is Crystal Falls' community hill.
Downhill Guide
On The Ice
Ice Fishing
Perch, walleye and pike through the ice, from small lakes to the big reservoirs. Go out only on solid ice you've checked yourself.
Ice Fishing Guide
Nordic
Cross-Country Skiing
Groomed trails at Ski Brule and Young's, classic and skate. Both rent skis; rentals are limited at Ski Brule, so call ahead.
Cross-Country Guide
Quiet Trails
Snowshoeing
A free snowshoe trail at Young's, the Candlelight Snowshoe in February, and state land you can roam.
Snowshoe Guide
Two Wheels
Fat Tire Biking
Groomed fat bike trails at Young's and Ski Brule. Both rent bikes, and Young's trails are free.
Fat Bike Guide
Festivals
Winter Events
Christmas in Lights, New Year's fireworks, the Relic Ride and Brule Bash, month by month.
Winter Events
Early Season
First Snow
When the first snow usually comes, how much falls, and what's open while you wait for the big stuff.
First Snow Guide
No Permit Needed
Free Weekends
Michigan's free snowmobiling and free fishing weekends: ride or fish without a permit or license.
Free WeekendsStay In Iron County
Where to Stay in Iron County in Winter
Off The Slopes
Where to Cross-Country Ski, Snowshoe and Fat Bike Near Iron River
When you've had your fill of the lifts, the quiet trails are close by. Ski Brule grooms 15 km of cross-country, snowshoe and fat bike trail in the Brule River Valley. A daily lift ticket gets you on them, or buy a trail pass on its own. The Rental Center has skis, snowshoes and fat bikes, but not many, so call ahead.
Young's, on Chicaugon Lake, grooms more than 9 miles of cross-country trail for classic and skate skiing, has a free snowshoe trail, and keeps more than 7 miles of fat bike trail. You can rent skis, snowshoes and bikes there, and kids get theirs free.
If you're on a sled, you can ride right in: Young's sits on Trail 116, which connects to Trails 16 and 2.
Young's Trails2026–27 Season
When Is Winter in Iron County? 2026–27 Dates
Up here the season runs on snow and cold, and every date below hangs on the weather. Plan around them, and check conditions before you go.
- Nov. 20–22: Ski Brule aims to open for the season.
- Nov. 28 – Dec. 13: the Christmas Tree Galleria in Caspian.
- Dec. 1: Michigan's snowmobile trails open. Grooming starts once there's enough snow.
- Early Dec.: Christmas in Lights in Iron River.
- Dec. 26: night skiing and Whitewater tubing are set to start at Ski Brule.
- Dec. 31: the torchlight parade and fireworks for New Year's Eve at Ski Brule.
- Jan. – Feb.: Michigan's free snowmobiling and free fishing weekends, plus the Relic Ride once there's snow.
- Mar. 20–21, 2027: Brule Bash at Ski Brule.
- Mar. 31: the state snowmobile trails close.
Before You Go
Iron County Winter Conditions, Snowmobile Permits and Ice Safety
Snow Reports
Check Before You Drive
Snow decides everything up here, so look before you drive. Check our snow and trail report and the Iron River forecast, and Ski Brule posts its own daily snow report.
Rules
Permits and Ice
Every sled on a state trail needs a Michigan trail permit, $65 for 2026–27, and a current registration (Michigan, or your home state or province). Ice is never guaranteed, so read up on ice safety before you walk out on any lake.
Snowmobile PermitsQuestions
Iron County, Michigan Winter FAQ
What is there to do in Iron County, Michigan in winter?
Plenty, once the snow comes. Ride about 250 miles of groomed snowmobile trail, ski, tube or night ski at Ski Brule, and try ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking. Winter events like the Relic Ride and Brule Bash round it out.
What is there to do in Iron River, MI in winter?
Ski Brule is just south of town for downhill, tubing, night skiing and groomed Nordic trails. The snowmobile trails run right through Iron River, and early December brings Christmas in Lights.
When does snowmobile season start in Iron County?
December 1, when Michigan's state-designated snowmobile trails open. They stay open through March 31 and are groomed once there's enough snow. Every sled on a state trail needs a trail permit, $65 for 2026–27, along with its registration.
How much snow does Iron County get?
Around 70 inches in an average winter, and more in the big ones. See our first snow guide for when it usually starts.
How cold is Iron County in winter?
Cold. In January the normal high is about 21°F and the normal low about 0°F, with colder snaps most winters. Dress in layers and pack a good hat and mittens.
Is there downhill skiing near Iron River?
Yes. Ski Brule, just south of Iron River, has 17 runs, 5 chairlifts and 6 surface tows, terrain parks, tubing and night skiing, and it aims to open November 20–22 for 2026–27. Crystella in Crystal Falls is a small community hill. See our downhill guide.
Where can I cross-country ski or snowshoe near Iron River?
At Ski Brule or Young's. Ski Brule has 15 km of groomed cross-country, snowshoe and fat bike trail. Young's grooms more than 9 miles of cross-country trail, has a free snowshoe trail and rents the equipment.
Where should I stay for a winter trip to Iron County?
In Iron River or Crystal Falls. Both have hotels, motels, cabins and resorts close to the snowmobile trails and the slopes, and some sit right on the trail system. Our lodging page has every place to stay.
Start Planning
Plan Your Iron County Winter Trip
Snow sets the schedule up here, so check it first. Then pick your adventure and book a warm room close to the trails, the slopes or the lake.
Winter and tagged ice fishing, iron county, iron river michigan, ski brule, skiing, snowmobiling, things to do, upper peninsula michigan, winter.
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Rewarding Places to Stay in Michigan
AmericInn
by Wyndham
Chicaugon
Lake Inn
906-265-9244
1700 County Road 424
Gaastra, MI 49917
Lakeshore Motel
Ice Lake
906-265-3611
1257 W Ice Lake Rd
Iron River, MI 49935
Pioneer
Lodge
800-362-7853
373 Brule Mountain Rd
Iron River, MI 49935
Ski Brule
Village
800-DO-BRULE
906-265-4957
397 Brule Mountain Rd
Iron River, MI 49935
Tall
Pines
906-822-7713
1968 US 141 Highway
Amasa, MI 49903
Iron County Michigan Visitors Guide
Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.