ISHPEMING, Mich. — The Ishpeming Ski Club, home to one of the nation’s longest consecutively running annual sports events, has launched a $195,000 fundraising campaign following an extreme snow season that damaged key equipment and infrastructure.
Since 1887, the Ishpeming Ski Club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula been a destination for ski jumping and cross country skiing in Marquette County. Their annual Ski Jumping Tournament is one of the longest consecutively running yearly sports tournaments in America. Since 1924, 12 Ishpeming Ski Club ski jumpers have been named to the US Olympic Team.
During spring 2026, extreme snow caused ISC’s equipment building to collapse, severely damaging their WinchCat, the machine used to groom Suicide Hill. Without a functional WinchCat, they cannot safely maintain their ski jumps and host their annual tournament.
Spring runoff caused by the heavy snow load also washed out the ground beneath the K40 ski jump, which is used by youth jumpers and must be refilled with material to be safe for year-round training.
The ISC has located a replacement WinchCat, a low-hour BR-350, and are looking to purchase it. They have also received a quote on replacing a pole barn that will keep the new equipment out of the weather and extend its working life, and material and preparation costs to fix the damaged K40 landing hill. The total cost is $195,000 and they have opening up a crowd funding campaign raise enough money to operate.
“Our mission as a 501(c)3 nonprofit is to provide the facilities and expertise to train the next generation of these athletes. In our past season, our Nordic programs trained a total of 78 athletes, 5-18yrs old. Our skiers competed across the Midwest and our top ski jumper flew in the Junior World Finals in Lillehammer, Norway. Funding for the ISC youth and junior ski programs comes from Sponsors (both Tournament and Club Sponsors), Tournament proceeds, and club membership dues.”
If you are interested in contributing to this most worthy cause you are encouraged to find complete information HERE.
