ISHPEMING, MI— The Ishpeming Ski Club is hosting the 139th Annual Ski Jumping Tournament this Friday and Saturday, and this year celebrates 100 years at Suicide Hill.
Club Vice President Peter Copenhaver says 25 jumpers from the U.S. and Norway have signed up for the tournament, which is also a junior national qualifier and a world junior qualifier.
He says officials have had to make most of the snow for the event in the past couple of years, but they have a good natural base this year. Copenhaver says recent rain will have no adverse effect on the ice tracks, which have already been built.
“So, what happens is, when it snows, is we leave the snow on top of the ice track, and that helps the warm rain from kind of eroding the ice track. Then we’ll shovel off the snow. But temperatures are supposed to drop here in the next day or so.”
The event will feature concessions, state Senator Ed McBroom, bonfires, and fireworks Saturday night. Gates open at the big hill Friday and Saturday at 4 p.m., and jumpers will also compete on the 60-meter hill on Saturday during the day.
Shuttles to and from the event will be available at the North Iron Church parking lot.
Tickets and more information are at www.ishskiclub.com.
