Michigan's Mount Bohemia Announces Opening Day As Weather Pattern Shifts

Matt Lorelli
·2 min read

Located 'way up 'der' on the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Mount Bohemia is the snowiest ski area in the Midwest.

The ski area has yet to open due to a slow start to winter, but the weather appears to be changing. Mount Bohemia just announced that they intend to open on January 17, 2024 citing a favorable forecast for the next two weeks.

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A post shared by Mount Bohemia (@mountbohemia)

According to the caption of the Instagram post above, Mount Bohemia believes that enough snow will fall between now and January 17th in order to open.

The ski area uses a local weather service that does not release its forecasts to the public, but long range forecasts tend to agree that snow is (finally) coming.

Mount Bohemia benefits from hundreds of inches of lake effect snow each season.

A typical lake effect pattern happens when cold air combines with warm water over Lake Superior. The result is snow, and lots of it.

Lake effect snow seen via satellite. 12/26/17<p>NOAA</p>
Lake effect snow seen via satellite. 12/26/17

NOAA

According to Keweenaw County's snowfall records, the peninsula recorded just 9 inches of snow in December of 2023. That's 71 inches less than December 2022.

Winter '22/'23 finished with 275 inches, on par with Mount Bohemia's stated seasonal average of 273 inches.

Mount Bohemia has a long way to go in terms of snowfall, but the tide can turn quickly. A few big dumps and the Midwest powder hounds will return to their mecca for endless tree runs like the slow start to the season never even happened.

Here's hoping the snow gods smile on Bohemia over the next two weeks. Let it snow!

Mount Bohemia front side trail map<p>Mount Bohemia</p>
Mount Bohemia front side trail map

Mount Bohemia

Mount Bohemia Stats/Info:

Vertical: 900 ft. (Largest in Midwest)

Skiable Terrain: 585 ac.

Average Snowfall: 273 in. (Most in Midwest)

Lifts: 2

Trails: 95

Snowmaking: NO

Night Skiing: YES

Mega-Pass: NO

Related: Passing Through: Mount Bohemia

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