What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
After two winters of disappointment and canceled races, the cross-country skiing community in the Northwoods finally got what they’d been waiting for — and boy, did they show up. MECCA Trails Winterfest roared back to life in mid-January with a record-breaking 77 skiers carving through fresh powder in Mercer, making it the biggest turnout in the event’s history. For a region that lives and breathes winter sports, this wasn’t just another race. It was a celebration of snow, resilience, and the outdoor spirit that defines Iron County.
The timing couldn’t have been better. Ten inches of snow fell the night before the race, blanketing the 13 miles of groomed trails in a thick layer of Wisconsin winter perfection. Sure, it made for slower conditions — race director Rodney Silvis compared it to running on sand instead of pavement — but after back-to-back cancellations in 2024 and 2025, nobody was complaining. When you’ve been praying for snow, you take what Mother Nature gives you and thank her for it.
Among the 77 competitors was Steve Elmore, tackling his very first ski race at MECCA Trails. Elmore, who has a place on Long Lake in Mercer but hails from downstate, found the conditions ideal despite the deep snow. His willingness to dive into competitive skiing speaks to something bigger happening in the Northwoods — people are hungry for winter experiences that connect them to the landscape, whether they’re seasoned racers or curious newcomers willing to give it a shot.
What’s particularly striking about this year’s turnout is how far people traveled. Skiers from Milwaukee and Madison made the trek north, joining locals and seasonal residents for the Flowage 15K and other races. That’s a testament to MECCA Trails’ reputation as a premier cross-country skiing destination, but it also reflects how starved winter enthusiasts were for reliable snow conditions. When you’ve got good trails, good organization, and actual snow on the ground, people will drive hours to experience it.
Race director Rodney Silvis joked that folks could probably stop praying for snow now, but behind the humor lies a serious reality for the Northwoods. The previous two winters forced Winterfest cancellations because there simply wasn’t enough snow to safely hold the event. It’s a pattern that’s becoming uncomfortably familiar across the region, where ski resorts, trail systems, and winter tourism businesses increasingly find themselves at the mercy of unpredictable weather.
The overnight snowfall that saved this year’s Winterfest created its own challenges. Deep, fresh snow dissipates energy with every stride, turning the race into a genuine test of endurance. Skiers accustomed to fast, groomed conditions found themselves working considerably harder. But in the grand scheme of things, this is a good problem to have. Slower racing beats no racing every single time, and the challenging conditions added a certain authenticity to the event that participants seemed to embrace.
MECCA Trails Winterfest isn’t simply about competition — though the races through upland hardwoods, spruce-cedar wetlands, and across the Little Turtle River Flowage are genuinely spectacular. As a fundraiser organized by the nonprofit MECCA Trails in partnership with the Gogebic Range Health Foundation, the event supports trail maintenance, community outreach programs, and the ongoing expansion of this treasured recreation resource. Every registration fee, every volunteer hour, and every skier who shows up contributes to keeping these trails accessible year-round.
The organization has been at this since 1973, promoting what they call
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Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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