COPPER PEAK SKI FLYING: VIDEO AND PHOTOS

The only ski flying hill outside of Europe. Located near Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Copper Peak was built in 1969 and held its first International Ski Flying Competition in 1970. From 1970 to 1994, seventeen countries competed at ten international ski competitions before Copper Peak closed in 1994. Today you can ride a chairlift to an 18 story elevator. Then climb several flights of stairs to get all the way to the top. It's definitely something you want to do.

[@medureczek]

Great cuts and material. Thanks

[@shirleybalinski4535]

I do not understand why more isn't done to publize this more...particularity overseas where ski flying is taken more seriously. The area could be turned into a " little Europe" in America. Money should be requested from Olympic committee, Sports federations, MEDC,etc. The area would benefit, have low impact,etc. It seems crazy to me monies aren't devoted to overseas advertising.

[@westhigginsorv]

Thanks for watching and commenting. There were many people visiting when we were there, but I wouldn't have known about it if I wasn't in the area.

[@anton1949]

Location, Location, Location.

[@XxKiDCuDiFTWxX]

Not enough infrastructure. I’m from the area.

[@randallerickson175]

There is a lot being done now. They were given grant money and a huge donation to make summer jumping a reality like they do in Lake Placid and would bring year-round activity. Plus, until covid19 got in the way, the Red Bull 400 was a huge hit with runners going up the landing and then climbing up the jump itself. There are a couple of good videos here to check out.

[@Lucas.cairns3191]

It’s opening!

[@christersvingen]

Almost the double in size of a olympic hill. In 1994 in Lillehammer they set a new hill record 135,5 meter, and the hill record in Copper Peak is 158 meters. So, no its not almost double in size. And the record in the small hill in the olympics in 1994 was 104 meters. The hill looks like a difficult hill to jump in, you dont seem to get much heigt, sy you really must work.

[@westhigginsorv]

It was sure fun to be at the top. I took the slow way down. :) But if you tripped on those stairs, nothing is going to stop you until you finish your 2 meter jump and landing at the bottom. Haha!

[@johnmartinsen963]

I'd love to ride this hill on alpine gear 😮 Gelande was a staple in my '90's love of winter flight. The Wogrin and Wilson bros ruled...love you guys❣ Steamboat was our mecca, but Copper looks soooo delicious 🤪 I believe Rolf Wilson topped 114 meters on alpine DH gear...the GOAT

[@michaelberger3717]

whats the hill record on this hill

[@westhigginsorv]

I don't know the record, but the sign at the top says over 600 ft.

[@sebik125p]

158 meters. Record holder is Werner Schuster. He was trainer of the German team 3 years ago.

[@michaelberger3717]

@@sebik125p ah ok thanks but idk i thought hillsize is 185m or k185....

[@sebik125p]

Yes, because they are trying to renovate it and changed hs to 185m in 2016, but they don't have enough money to complete the reconstruction.

[@westhigginsorv]

@@sebik125p I guess that sign at the top exaggerates a bit. :D Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@prj2266]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2OlYmaVhtObmrs Not HARRICHOV, but Harrachov; and not Slovakia but the Czech Republic.

[@GabrTM]

you talking about the world record? When this documentary was filmed the record was in Planica, Slovenia

[@prj2266]

@@GabrTM I am talking about this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2OlYmaVhtObmrs

[@joelaichner3025]

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan , WE ROCK !

[@Honorablebenaiaha]

I won 4 years in a row.

[@westhigginsorv]

That's awesome!!!! Thanks for watching!

[@derekhebert734]

Excellent! Was up on top in the summer of late 70s , could see across Lake to Canada! Retired from Ski jumping after witnessing two Canadian jumpers were paralyzed at Copper Peak, early on take off, somersaults onto back, neck at impact, retired 3X junior Canadian Champion! Sure Richard Grady from Edmonton Alberta Canada was in these clips, after mentioning wind tunnel.

[@westhigginsorv]

Amazing that you were jumping off this. Just standing up there was tense. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@garyglonek]

and every event they ever had was shortened or canceled by the wind. A ski flying hill on top of a hill next to lake Superior will never work, and never has.