Suicide Hill gets new look

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ISHPEMING - In 1925 when Peter Handberg and Leonard Flaa negotiated a lease with Cleveland Cliffs Inc. for the area now known as Suicide Hill, no one could have imagined a skier trying to jump on the first day of October.

Now, 83 years later, the Ishpeming Ski Club and the Suicide Hill facility won't just be jumping in October, but throughout the year thanks to the installation of a plastic ski hill. Members of the community were invited out to the new hill Wednesday night. They watched as local jumpers showcased their ability without a flake of snow on the ground.

The plastic hill, which was built on the 40-meter jump, was a big hit, Ishpeming Ski Club President Tom Petersen said. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, about 70 people came to watch the event and to enjoy hot dogs.

"I think most of the people were truly amazed and entertained by the action," Petersen said. "I don't think a lot of people knew that (year-round jumping) was going on around the world, really. Now it's right here in the area."

A network of plastic panels make up the hill's new landing, which has padding beneath it to create a more realistic feel for the jumpers. Two parallel stainless steel tracks run down the center of the jump to guide the athlete's skis. From that point on, it's business as usual. Skiers launch themselves into the air and land the same as they would in the winter. And while there is plastic in place year-round, it doesn't diminish the capabilities of the hill when the snow starts to fall.

"We are going to start prepping it for winter pretty soon here," Petersen said. "We have to outfit it with things to hold the snow onto it because the plastic can be so slippery."

Steel cables will be put down with anchoring footings and then wooden slats will be fitted onto it to create an "old-fashioned" snow fence. That will keep the snow in place and allow it to be used in the winter, as well, Petersen said.

The ski club president added that the 40-meter hill is just the beginning. He said he hopes to see plastic on the two smaller hills soon to help less proficient skiers get out and see what the sport is all about, no matter what time of year it is.