Concrete is being poured on the slopes of Ironwood, Michigan, where a major renovation is underway at Copper Peak, considered the largest ski jump landing hill in the Western Hemisphere.
The first concrete pour took place June 15th, marking a tangible milestone in a years-long effort to return international ski jumping competition to North America. The project received a significant boost in March of 2022 when the State of Michigan awarded Copper Peak $20 million to fund the redevelopment.
The Copper Peak Organizing Committee, appointed by the full board in 2015, has spent years cultivating relationships with the International Ski Federation, the U.S. Ski Association, USA Ski Jumping, and USA Nordic Combined, as well as Michigan legislators, all in pursuit of reestablishing the site as a host for international competition.
Preliminary engineering, geo-tech studies, structural reviews, and master planning work have all been completed as part of the lead-up to construction.
The overall vision goes beyond just competition, with organizers aiming to position the Upper Peninsula as a globally recognized destination for outdoor recreation. They’re hoping for year-round international events highlighting the region’s natural landscape and driving business growth in surrounding communities.
If you’re interested in donating to the project, you can do so here. For $300, you can sponsor an individual section of the landing mat.
