It’s not always easy to find a reason to get outside when the temperatures are low and the wind is blowing.
However, there’s a world-class event tonight that offers a great reason to get off the couch and get outside: The 135th annual Ishpeming Ski Club Jumping Tournament at Suicide Hill, located on the border between Ishpeming and Negaunee.
The long-running local event features top athletes from around country competing at the highest level.
“It’s always a world-class competition. The skiers love it, it’s a good, big hill environment,” said Ishpeming Ski Club Head Coach Gary Rasmussen. “We had a skier from Finland say it was the best competition he’s ever been a part of.”
The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. today, with trial runs starting at 6 p.m. and the competition beginning once the trials are completed. The tournament is governed by U.S. Ski & Snowboard and is part of the U.S. Cup event series, as well as the Five Hills tour.
Beyond the competition itself, the event will feature plenty of opportunities for attendees to enjoy food and fun. The event features two large bonfires which will be lit in the afternoon and burn until the next day. There will also be a tailgate party, which Rasmussen calls “the original tailgate.”
“This is the 135th tournament. It started in 1889 and we haven’t missed a year,” Rasmussen said. “It’s the original tailgate, it started 50 years before the NFL existed. It’s been going on since before there were cars.”
Event buttons are now available for the event. They can be purchased in advance for $15 or $20 at the gate. Children under 12 are free. They can be purchased in advance from any of the following retailers:
Midway Rentals, Down Wind Sports, Blackrocks Brewery, Ore Dock Brewing Co., SuperOne Foods-Negaunee, Jims Jubilee Foods, Sports Rack Marquette, Wilderness Sports, Inc., Bucks Restaurant, Elaine’s Place, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum, Kassels Midway, The Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce, Jasper Ridge Brewery, Midtown Bakery, Congress Pizzas, Crossroads Shell/Mini-Mart.
We encourage residents to support this phenomenal event tonight and enjoy the unique chance to see world-class athletes compete so close to home.
The weather might be chilly, but the spirited competition and community enthusiasm — along with the two bonfires, of course — are sure to provide a lasting sense of warmth for all who attend.