NEGAUNEE - Standing tall over the hills between Ishpeming and Negaunee, the Suicide Bowl 90-meter ski jump is visible from the road between the two cities. If you get closer, however, you'll notice a flurry of activity on the jump and the others around it as members of the Ishpeming Ski Club get ready for the 125th annual Ski Jumping Tournament, this year sponsored by Range Bank.
Set for Wednesday, the tournament is part of the U.S. Cup Ski Jumping Series this year, welcoming local, regional and international jumpers.
"I think there's just a lot of pride," said club President Tom Petersen. "It's a big year."
Club members consistently put a lot of work into the facilities at Suicide Bowl, but over the past four months have taken on several projects to improve the jumps.
Much of the work, including preparing the 90-meter hill for competition, is carried out by members of the club, many of whom are former jumpers, like Petersen,
"They work," he said of the club members. "Guys in their 70s are out here shoveling snow. I'm 62. I'm the young guy."
Adding to the club members' efforts are parents of young ski jumpers and community volunteers who recognize the value of the programs the club offers.
"I think it's a combination of the attraction of ski jumping being such a great sport to watch. The other thing is we're so focused on the kids. We offer free coaching, free equipment. Anything that gets the kids out in the fresh air.
"That's what motivates me. I know ski jumping, so that's what I do."
In October, club members and other volunteers completed a new 25-meter ski jump, bringing the total number of jumps at Suicide to five, and giving beginning jumpers an easier transition between the 13-meter hill and the 40-meter hill.
More recently, a new rubber roof was put on the 90-meter judges' box, thanks to work volunteered by local roofer Dan Perkins, after a falling tree limb damaged the former roof.
Currently club members are working to install a series of 12 new starting gates at the top of the 90-meter hill, thanks to donations from U.P. Lumber and Supplies and U.P. Fabricating. Because of advances in ski technology, it is now possible for jumpers to over jump a hill. Lower starting gates allow the skiers to build up less speed, Petersen said. To install the gates, the club had to widen a portion of the top of the 90-meter scaffold.
A more routine part of preparing the competition hill, which began three weeks ago, is hauling snow to the top, packing it down and cutting a track into it. Cutting the track will require colder weather.
"In order to cut a track, you need to have 25 degrees or colder," Petersen said.
The water used to ice over the track needs to freeze quickly in order to set properly.
Pending the colder weather, however, Petersen said the club is in good shape and looking forward to again hosting the tournament.
Celebration of the 125th annual tournament, one of the longest running tournaments in the world, begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday with the Ski Jumpers and Winter Sports Celebration Parade on Main Street in Ishpeming, with a community spaghetti dinner to follow from 6-8 p.m. at the Ishpeming Elks' Club. Tickets for the dinner are $7 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6-12. The dinner is a chance to meet and welcome the various competitors in the tournament.
Finally, the tournament itself begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, with fireworks set to go off at 8:30 p.m. Buttons are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate, with kids 12 and under getting in free.
For more information, visit www.ishskiclub.com.
Johanna Boyle can be reached at 906-486-4401.
