Meet Copper Peak
Since 1970, the world’s largest artificial ski jump has called Ironwood, Michigan, home. Built from 300 tons of corten steel, a high-strength steel made to withstand weather, Copper Peak Ski jump has a 469-foot in-run, a steep slope for ski flyers to take off, that’s made to handle strong winter winds at speeds of more than 190 miles-per-hour.
For more than 50 years, Copper Peak has been a beacon of skiing heritage in the western Upper Peninsula. To make it to the top, one would take a chairlift, elevator, and then climb 18 stories of stairs to take in a breathtaking view spanning 1,500 square miles and 3 states.
Copper Peak operated as a ski jump from 1970-1994, hosting 10 ski flying events. The ski jump has been designated as an official Michigan Historic Site and holds a rich history of Michigan copper mining. Copper Peak stands on Chippewa Hill, where the Upper Peninsula had a “copper rush” in the mid-1840s and copper was discovered in the site that would become home to Copper Peak.
Adventure Ride
Although operations as a working ski jump ended in 1994, there’s still plenty to do and see at Copper Peak. The Adventure Ride at Copper Peak gives visitors the thrill of reaching the same heights as the world-class ski flyers that came before them. The top of the Adventure Ride contains Midwest’s highest panoramic view– Canada can even be seen on a clear day.
Aside from the Adventure Ride, the landscape offers extensive mountain bike trails and the Copper Peak Chalet, a gift shop and museum.
Copper Peak may be currently operating as a thrill-seekers destination, but there are plans in progress to restore the ski jump to its former glory– the world’s largest operational ski jump.
Bob Jacquart
Bob Jacquart, President of the Copper Peak Board of Directors, says Copper Peak’s mission is “to bring international ski jumping back to Ironwood, Michigan.” Bob joined the Board of Directors in 2015 and has become the public face of the “renewed effort to return Copper Peak to its rightful place as the home of competitive ski jumping in the Western Hemisphere.”
For the next two years, Copper Peak’s goal is to renovate and bring back the iconic ski jump, hosting year-round competitions highlighting the breathtaking beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a globally renowned destination.
Help Along the Way
As construction is underway to bring Copper Peak back to its original operations, the Adventure Ride, Copper Peak’s significant revenue stream, is limited to being open one day a week. To continue to teach the history of Copper Peak despite the limited hours of operation, Bob and the Copper Peak Executive Committee had to get creative.
Summer Internship Program
This summer, Innovate Marquette launched a pilot internship program for Upper Peninsula outdoor recreation companies to be matched with college students looking to build their skills outside of the classroom. The pilot program is made possible due to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant called the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant.
Due to the Innovate Marquette pilot internship program, Gabrielle “Gabbi” Maki, has been an integral part of Copper Peak operations.
Together, Bob’s team and Gabbi have created a brand-new Copper Peak attraction– the Copper Peak Visitors Center. Located on Cloverland Road in the heart of Ironwood, the Visitors Center offers history, souvenirs, and information right in town without visiting Copper Peak in person.
Gabrielle “Gabbi” Maki – Chalet & Visitor Center Manager
Gabbi Maki is a Northern Michigan University student studying Outdoor Recreation Leadership & Management, and an Ironwood native. Growing up in Ironwood, Gabbi is no stranger to Copper Peak. This summer, Gabbi is Copper Peak’s Chalet & Visitor Center Manager.
Gabbi’s Role
“Copper Peak has always been a part of my childhood and continues to be so early in my young adult life,” says Gabbi. “I remember going up the jump on the Adventure Ride as a kid and during community college.”
As a former member of the Gogebic County Search and Rescue team, Gabbi aided in two chairlift evacuation trainings at Copper Peak and the Red Bull 400 Race in 2025. “It’s been really cool to have this opportunity to work here as Copper Peak has been a part of my life for a long time,” says Gabbi.
This summer, Gabbi has designed the Copper Peak Visitors Center from scratch. She’s managed both the Chalet gift shop and museum as well as the Visitors Center, learning about ordering merchandise to sell, sharing the story of Copper Peak with visitors, and even designing apparel to be sold at both locations.
Since the Chalet is at the base of the landing hill on the Copper Peak site and the Visitors Center is closer to downtown Ironwood, Gabbi has to be strategic and organized to manage both locations. Gabbi sells Adventure Ride tickets, stocks and sells merchandise, answers the phone, and sends weekly sales reports to the Copper Peak Board of Directors.
“Getting the community excited about the Copper Peak project is an important part of ensuring it’s a success,” says Gabbi. “I love any opportunity to talk about Copper Peak’s past and future.”
Gabbi is ensuring the success of the Copper Peak revitalization project through a donation campaign. She’s designed certificates with official seals that are given to donors, giving the fundraising efforts a clean and polished brand identity.
Gabbi hopes her internship inspires other students to get involved in the culture of their hometowns. “I feel like a lot of young people tend to move away from our area in search of different jobs or for places with larger populations,” says Gabbi. “I’m hopeful the revival of Copper Peak will bring about more job opportunities and help highlight Ironwood as a great place to live so that more younger people want to stay in the area.”
What's Next for Copper Peak
Copper Peak has seen significant growth in the last few years due to the Adventure Ride, and the Board of Directors intend to continue that success with the revitalization project.
There have been investments in preliminary engineering, geo-tech studies, structural reviews, master planning exercises, and business case development as part of the mission to redevelop the ski jump.
In 2022, Copper Peak received a $20 million grant from the State of Michigan to bring the mission to revitalize Copper Peak to life. The Copper Peak Organizing Committee has been dedicated to fostering lasting relationships with partner organizations like the International Ski Federation, United States Ski Association, USA Ski Jumping and USA Nordic Combined, and Michigan legislators.
Supporting Copper Peak’s Vision
You can support Copper Peak through a donation by visiting https://copperpeak.net/donate/.
Stay tuned for updates on Copper Peak’s re-introduction to ski jumping! You can learn more about the project here. In the meantime, visit Copper Peak for breathtaking views on the Adventure Ride.
Learn more about Copper Peak at copperpeak.net.
