Copper Peak, located near Ironwood at the western end of the Upper Peninsula, is a 90-story-high ski jump that recently received a $150,000 grant from the Great Lakes Sports Commission. (Photo courtesy travelironwood.com)

IRONWOOD — The 90-story high Copper Peak ski jump in Gogebic County has received nearly $150,000 from the Great Lakes Sports Commission to fund upgrades to its tower scaffolding and infrastructure in the ski jump tower.

The grant of $148,820 will help ensure the safety and enjoyment for visitors of the tower, which hosts its popular Adventure Ride, and also allow future international sky flying competitions.

Copper Peak is known as the largest scaffold ski jump in the world, while its Adventure Ride attracts more than 12,000 visitors and generates more than $200,000 in tourism revenue each year.

The funding will support improvements to include structural repairs and chairlift upgrades, including installation of racks to transport mountain bikes to the top of the hill via the chair lift.

Adding this capability to the lift will enable Copper Peak to increase the attraction of Copper Peak as a thrilling trail cycling destination for that avid sector throughout the region and beyond, according to Copper Peak, Inc.

Copper Peak has recently been the venue for two successful Red Bull 400 events, where participants race on foot up the landing hill then climb to the very top of the takeoff area on the structure itself.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.