Some reasons to love the flakes:
- Snow is an excellent insulator. It can raise ground temperatures by several degrees, preventing damage to tree roots and flower bulbs.
- Snow provides needed moisture to plants — even dormant ones — throughout the winter months.
- Ice that forms over shallow Great Lakes waters protects whitefish eggs, bolstering Michigan’s fishing industry and helping ensure that the flaky staple remains on menus across the state.
- Algae, a foundation for all life in the lakes, benefits from ice cover, too. Sunlight shining through clear ice promotes algae growth near the surface.
- Michigan has 42 ski areas, with about 200 chairlifts, 840 runs, and hundreds of miles of cross-country ski trails.
- Ice along shorelines helps prevent wetland and coastal erosion.
- Ice cover on the Great Lakes reduces evaporation, which means higher water levels in the spring and the ability for ships to carry more cargo.
- Skiing accounts for about $120 million of the $5-billion spent annually on tourism in Michigan.
- Michigan has more registered snowmobiles on its trails — about 200,000 — than any other state.
- Michigan’s economy directly benefits from almost $240 million in annual spending on snowmobile trips and equipment. Roughly $6 million a year is generated in state and federal fuel taxes on snowmobiles.
- The snowmobiling industry supports about 4,000 Michigan jobs.
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