The deadline for the Leelanau Enterprise annual snowfall contest is fast approaching on Nov. 12, but people still have a couple weeks to submit their snowfall predictions for the upcoming 2025-26 winter season.
As of Tuesday, the Enterprise has only received about 186 entries. Last year, the Enterprise received over 500 entries for the contest by the time deadline closed, so it’s hard to say at this point if the contest will report seeing more this year. Entries will be accepted for the snowfall period between Oct. 15 through April 15 and winners will be announced in the Enterprise in April.
In the past week alone, temperatures trends reported by the National Weather Service Gaylord recorded dipping into the 30s and causing frost, with mostly quiet weather persisting for the week ahead.
The total snowfall accumulation in the region for the 2024-25 period came in at 128.5 inches, a significant increase from the previous year’s unusually low total of 62 inches. Last year’s winter saw significant snowfall accumulations starting in December until March. While it may or may not be an indication of what the winter season to come will look like, those entering the contest have the chance to take all factors into consideration when making their snowfall predictions.
The contest prizes include $200 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. The fourth place winner will receive a signed copy of Ken Scott’s Back Pages of Leelanau County. The person who guesses closest to the total amount of snowfall recorded for the 2025-26 season is the winner. If there is a tie breaker, the winner will be the person who makes a guess closest to the total number of points scored in the 2026 NCAA’s Men’s Basketball Championship game.
Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Leelanau Enterprise office and must be filled out on the form printed in the Enterprise. Entry forms are available at the Enterprise office or by mail request by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to 7200 E. Duck Lake Rd.,
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.
