February 2022
Why do you live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? For some, like our students, it’s not really a choice. Their families live in the UP and so they’re stuck growing up in the UP. Looking back on my own childhood growing up in Ishpeming, I now realize a strange dichotomy that existed between being in love with this place while at the same time not being able to wait to leave. No one can be blamed for wanting to explore the world, it’s only natural to yearn for something different. The Yooper experience is only as good as you make it though and if you’re not taking advantage of all of the resources the UP has to offer, people will leave but they won’t return.
Unofficial flag of da UP.
One of the main reasons we moved back to the UP was so that we could cross country ski once again. It is without a doubt one of my favorite pastimes. The simple act of silently gliding across the snow through a pristine wilderness is truly a magical experience. I grew up on skis from a very young age and even remember cross country skiing being a part of our PE curriculum in 4th grade. I have fond memories of skiing with my friends and building snow forts behind our house. My point here is that winter, cursed by some, is my favorite season and it is what keeps me excited about this place.
Climbing is fun but wait until they start exploring.
The winters in the UP can be long and hard. It is so important that we stay active year round and there’s no better month for skiing than February. The days are longer and the weather is “warming” but the snow is still crisp. Simply put, the perfect conditions. Skiing is an easy, low-impact way to get outside during the heart of the winter when it feels like being indoors is the only option. The fresh air of our cold winters awakens the body and the endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine you get naturally from skiing are just as good for your mental health as is the physical workout you get from breaking trail.
View looking south after having skied across West Bay.
Grand Marais School is lucky to have a preexisting ski program that was built up by one of our previous lower elementary school teachers, Kathleen Howay. We’ve receieved some recent donations and now not only do we have a large assortment of skis, boots, and poles, we even have a great selection of snowshoes. I don’t expect every kid to love winter but I do expect every kid to be active year round. Our environments shape who we are and what we become and so we must provide students with the right equipment and resources to enjoy the outdoors in the winter. Considering how long our winters can be, if we don’t they will have a difficult time finding value in this place we call home. If we can get our kids excited about being at school no matter the season, we’re winning the day.
A small sampling of our winter gear: cross country skis, backcountry skis, and snowshoes.
*Please note, we are happy to loan ski and snowshoe equipment to Grand Marais community members and visitors. Do not hesitate to reach out!
