SKY HIGH
Ski jumping tournament, weekend full of events kick off on Friday
Spectators line up next to the landing area to await ski jumpers during a previous event as the Ishpeming Ski Club is set to host its 137th annual Ski Jumping Tournament at the U.P. Nordic Ski Complex, with events running from Friday through Sunday. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)
Spectators warm up by the bonfires during a previous event as the Ishpeming Ski Club is set to host its 137th annual Ski Jumping Tournament at the U.P. Nordic Ski Complex, with events running from Friday through Sunday. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)
Spectators line up next to the landing area to await ski jumpers during a previous event as the Ishpeming Ski Club is set to host its 137th annual Ski Jumping Tournament at the U.P. Nordic Ski Complex, with events running from Friday through Sunday. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)
Spectators warm up by the bonfires during a previous event as the Ishpeming Ski Club is set to host its 137th annual Ski Jumping Tournament at the U.P. Nordic Ski Complex, with events running from Friday through Sunday. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)
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ISHPEMING -- The Ishpeming Ski Club is set to host its 137th annual Ski Jumping Tournament at the U.P. Nordic Ski Complex, with events running from Friday through Sunday.
"Ishpeming is the birthplace of organized skiing," said Peter Copenhaver, vice president of the ISC.
Copenhaver cited the melting pot of Scandinavian cultures in the Upper Peninsula as a cause for the sport's popularity in the area today. The Ishpeming Ski Club was founded in 1887 as the Norden Ski Club and it hosted its first tournament the following year.
The Ski Jumping Tournament has been held for 137 consecutive years, continuing through the Great Depression, both world wars, and two world pandemics.
"We're the original extreme sport," Copenhaver said.
The ISC is committed to keeping the heritage of Nordic skiing (jumping and cross country) alive, particularly by giving skiing instruction to local youth. It is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization.
"Every dime goes back to the kids," Copenhaver said.
The tournament has been growing recently, with averages of 1,200-1,500 attendees in the past increasing to an estimated 3,000-4,000 last year. Copenhaver expects there to be an even greater turnout this time around.
"If you've never been to the Ishpeming ski jumps … you've got to come out and check it out," he said. "It's visceral to watch people do this."
The event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday with the U.S. Cup Tournament on Suicide Hill. Spectators can partake in tailgating, bonfires, food trucks and a beer tent while watching Olympic-level jumpers compete.
The U.S. Cup Nordic combined cross country ski race will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The race is five kilometers and takes place on the ISC's Norman Juhola Trail System. The evening will conclude with the Paul Bietila Memorial Tournament at 7 p.m. followed by a fireworks display.
There will not be a Junior Ski Jumping Tournament this year due to the low snowfall.
This year is the first time attendees can purchase tickets online at ishskiclub.com. Tickets are $15 per person in advance (advance sales end at noon Friday) and $20 at the gate.
Children ages 12 and under are admitted free.
The Ishpeming Ski Club is now selling booster buttons for the event at the following locations:
≤ Ishpeming: Jim's Jubilee Foods, West End Ski and Trail, Wilderness Sports, Buck's Restaurant, Elaine's Place, Jasper Ridge Brewery, Congress Pizzas and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
≤ Negaunee: Super One Foods, Midtown Bakery, Kassel's Midway and Midway Rentals and Sales.
≤ Marquette: Sports Rack Marquette, Downwind Sports, Blackrocks Brewery, Ore Dock Brewing Co., Kognisjon Bryggeri and Queen City Running Co.
For more information, visit ishskiclub.com.