Stomp the Snow at Pine Grove offers lantern-lit snowshoe walk and more
- The fourth-annual Stomp the Snow, a lantern-lit snowshoe walk event, will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Pine Grove Country Club in Iron Mountain. Family Snowshoe Charity Association President Jean O’Dette and FSCA treasurer Patti Carollo display this year’s posters. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News)
- Volunteers from the area Kiwanis Club and Lake Antoine Parks Partners work to put together the DTE Meteor Shower light display for the Stomp the Snow event. From left are Ashley Rautenen, BOSS volunteer; Ann Hruska, LAPP; Jason Sullivan, LAPP; Larry O’Dette, STS; Joe Hruska, LAPP; Kenzie Williamsen, Kiwanis; Deb Hanson, STS; Hillary Runsat, Kiwanis; and Jean O’Dette, STS. (Contributed photo)

The fourth-annual Stomp the Snow, a lantern-lit snowshoe walk event, will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Pine Grove Country Club in Iron Mountain. Family Snowshoe Charity Association President Jean O’Dette and FSCA treasurer Patti Carollo display this year’s posters. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News)
IRON MOUNTAIN — The Stomp the Snow charity event returns Saturday, Jan. 17.
The fourth-annual lantern-lit family snowshoe walk will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at Pine Grove Country Club in Iron Mountain.
Stomp the Snow is organized through the Family Snowshoe Charity Association, a non-profit group formed to promote snowshoeing while supporting local charities.
The free fundraising activity is open to community members of all abilities.
This year’s major sponsors include Bacco Construction, Enbridge Inc., First National Bank & Trust, M.J. Electric, Pine Grove Country Club, Radio Results Network and TV6/Fox UP.

Volunteers from the area Kiwanis Club and Lake Antoine Parks Partners work to put together the DTE Meteor Shower light display for the Stomp the Snow event. From left are Ashley Rautenen, BOSS volunteer; Ann Hruska, LAPP; Jason Sullivan, LAPP; Larry O’Dette, STS; Joe Hruska, LAPP; Kenzie Williamsen, Kiwanis; Deb Hanson, STS; Hillary Runsat, Kiwanis; and Jean O’Dette, STS. (Contributed photo)
Proceeds from the 2026 fundraiser will go to benefit the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Kiwanis and Lake Antoine Park Partners.
Family Snowshoe Charity Association President Jean O’Dette explained that each year two new recipients are randomly selected.
“To qualify, partners must be able to provide the volunteers needed for each of the work bees as well as assist on the day of the event,” O’Dette said. “The partnerships have been great.”
Participants will enter the “Tunnel of Lights,” sponsored by Mande Insurance & Investment Solutions and Edelweiss Coffee, at the start of the walk.
More than 200 lanterns will be lit along the four loops within the course.
A few lantern sponsorships are still available through noon Wednesday.
The half-mile loop is sponsored by Aurora Liquors, the 1-mile loop by LiUNA Local 1329 and the 1.75-mile loop by Superior Title & Abstract Agency, a division of Bay Title.
A Magical Cocoa Station, sponsored by Dickinson County Title, will be set up near the intersection of the 1 and 1.75 mile loops.
“Snowshoe participants can strike the Northern Interstate Bank gong at the completion of the two longer loop course,” O’Dette added.
A flat glow trail will be illuminated with lanterns and glow wands, which is sponsored by Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson.
Early participants will receive glow sticks compliments of Marshfield, according to FSCA treasurer and trail coordinator Patti Carollo.
The Office Planning Group Inc. will provide a scenic sitting site that offers a view of the lights of downtown Iron Mountain.
Thanks to Incredible Bank and B&B Electric, the Yetis will once again be roaming the woods, O’Dette said.
Other fun attractions for the evening include photo opportunities at the DTE Meteor Show and the Jon Lasater State Farm Insurance Selfie Stations.
They will also have a “Frosty Fun” kids game area presented by Jacobson Heating.
Participants can warm up by the Town & Country Sales and Peninsula Title fire pits.
Hot cocoa and s’mores will be available at the Tasty Treat Stations, provided by 41 Lumber and Erickson Jewelers.
Weather permitting, Doc and Dewey, Tom Wender’s Belgium duo, will make an appearance at the System Control stables.
Hardcore Outfitters has donated a pair of snowshoes for a drawing that will take place live from the business Monday, Jan. 19.
Anyone who takes a photo with any of the signage or posters at area businesses before the event or at the two special large snowshoes kiosks during the event and shares them to the Stomp the Snow Facebook page or on Instagram using hashtag #stompthesnow prior to midnight Sunday, Jan. 18, will be entered into the drawing.
“We have other surprises during the event, but you need to come to find out what they will be,” O’Dette said.
Everyone is encouraged to stop after snowshoeing at the Pine Grove Country Clubhouse, which will have food and beverages available for purchase. PGCC will have an all-you-can-eat pasta and pizza bar that will include a variety of pizza, pasta, sauces, meatballs, salad and breadstick for $12 for adults and kids older than 10. Cost is $8 for children 3 to 10 and those younger than 3 eat free.
Pine Grove will also bring back their specialty adult drinks for the event.
“If you have never snowshoed before and always wanted to try, this event is for you,” said FSCA Vice President and volunteer coordinator Beth Linn. “For those who do not own snowshoes, we will have over 40 pairs there for you to borrow. We will also be there to aid in fitting participants.”
O’Dette added, “Because of the generosity of our local community, we can make this a free event and still raise funds for other local non-profit groups. Our goal is not only to support the two non-profit partners; but also the participants, local hotels, gas stations, restaurants and retail stores will benefit from the people we will bring into our community.”
For more information or to sponsor a lantern, contact O’Dette at 906-776-2971, Carollo at 906-776-2972, email StompTheSnow@hotmail.com, or go to the Stomp The Snow Facebook page.
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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.






