A skier is pictured on Suicide Hill during a past ski jumping tournament. Ishpemng is known as the birthplace of organized skiing. (Courtesy photo)

By Karen Kasper

Ishpeming

Historical Society

Some of the groups immigrating to the United States during the 19th century brought pieces of their homeland with them, pieces that still survive today.

The Cornish brought the pasty, the Finnish brought the sauna and the Norwegians brought a sport, ski jumping, with them.

The Norden ski club had been in existence for about a year when they decided to have a ski jumping exhibition.

“Ishpeming has the only ski club in this peninsula as far as we have been able to learn. It was organized last winter and has a large membership. Twenty-five of the members have uniforms and the others will soon be equipped with the regulation blanket and stripes. The officers of the club are President Ivar Thorstenson, captain, Hagaan Asgaard; lieutenant, Lars Hoyseth; secretary P. Saltnes; treasurer, Ole Rye.

These gentlemen have taken an active part in bringing the club to its present live proportions and are going to keep the interest up if races and contests will assist in this direction.” (Iron Ore, March 3, 1888)

The jumping exhibition was tentatively scheduled for February, but the members of the club wanted to wear their new unforms and they were slow in coming in from the tailor in Chicago who received the order.

“The ski contest will not take place until some day the coming week, the club (is) waiting for their new uniforms before giving the exhibition. The ‘Norden’ has a large membership and when they get out on dress parade (they) will make a fine appearance. The slide is ready and when the suits arrive the public will be given and opportunity to witness some jumping on the wooden runner.” (Iron Ore, February 18, 1888)

“The first public slide took place Saturday afternoon last as previously announced. At one o’clock the club started from Walseth & Tislov’s headed by the Lake Angeline & Scandinavian brass band, and was followed by an immense crowd of people anxious to witness the exhibition. The day was a most disagreeable one; a high wind was blowing, it was quite cold and unpleasant for all concerned. Despite the fact, however, the audience was quite patient and greatly interested in the preliminaries. It seemed that nearly everyone in town was present, ladies and gentlemen alike sharing in the anticipation of the contest.” (Iron Ore, March 3, 1888)

“The place chosen for the slide was on the south side of Lake Angeline some distance to the east of the mine location, where there is a long steep hill desirably adapted for the sport. A track had been made from the top to the bottom, a distance of about 600 feet. At the foot of the hill, and upon the bank of the lake a raise was made in the track being carried out and upward gradually and left broken sharp off six feet above the surrounding level.” (Iron Ore, March 3, 1888)

“Sliding was begun at 2 o’clock, despite the rough weather. The snow at first was soft and in poor condition for the sport, but as the weather grew colder the snow packed hard and was soon in good order. The fun was kept up till after 4 o’clock, when the prizes were distributed and the skiists returned to the city.” (Mining Journal, February 28. 1888)

“The jumping was very good and despite the inclemency of the weather, there was a large and appreciative attendance at the bottom of the hill. The club attracted considerable attention as it marched through the streets on its way to and from the grounds. The uniforms look well, and the wearers are athletic specimens of the men of the north. “(Mining Journal, February 28, 1888)

“On the start one trial was given each contestant, when they used their poles, but after this the poles had to be discarded. The successful ones were loudly applauded and those who made ‘bears’ (falls) were yet more loudly cheered. It isn’t generally considered the proper thing to laugh at a man’s misfortune except when he enters a ski race, then the worse he is used, the more fun can be made of him.” (Iron Ore, March 3, 1888)

While the occasion was billed as an exhibition, medals were awarded in both Class A and Class B.

“The prizes were awarded as follows: Class A, the first prize, a gold medal valued at $26 was won by Ole Sundlei, who cleared 55 feet; second prize, Lars Jantaas; third prize, Erick Gesvold; class B, first prize, Arndt Meelhuus; second prize, John Jantaas; third prize, Svend Johnson.” (Mining Journal, February 28, 1888)

That first exhibition became a tournament which continues to this day. The Norden Ski Club eventually became the Ishpeming Ski Club and also continues to this day, training young riders and organizing the annual tournament.