The Pine Mountain Ski Jump is one of the highest artificially created ski jumps in the world, located in Breitung Township Dickinson County, Iron Mountain, Michigan. It is part of the Kiwanis Ski Club and hosts annual FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup competitions.[1] "Pine Mountain Slide is known throughout the world as one of the better jumping hills." Annually in February, it "hosts jumpers from around the world at the best tournament in the United States." Top-rated foreign jumpers compete. "All classes of records have been set on Pine Mountain, including the international record of 459 feet (140 m)." Attendance is about 20,000.[2]
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Construction of the jump began in 1937 and was completed in 1938. At the time it was 156 feet (48 m) high. It hosted its first competition in 1939. In 1948, the outrun was dug out, and in 1977 the inrun tower was made larger (to the current 176 feet (54 m)) after a fire. There have been numerous other renovations over the years. In 1996 and 2000 the hill hosted the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, bringing in 20,000 spectators. However, it has not hosted one since, and now hosts annual FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup competitions.[4]
The Upper Peninsula's Copper Peak is the only Ski flying venue in the western hemisphere (and has been called "Suicide hill").[5] However, there is also a preexisting Suicide Hill Ski Jump in Ishpeming, which is near the National Ski Hall of Fame.[5]
Below is the list of past and current record holders:
| Year | Distance (m) | Distance (ft) | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | 78 | 256 | Bob Rocker | USA |
| 1941 | 81.5 | 267 | Alf Engen | NOR |
| 1942 | 88 | 289 | Torger Tokle | NOR |
| 1949 | 89 | 292 | Joe Perrault | USA |
| 1949 | 89.5 | 294 | Matti Pietkainen | FIN |
| 1949 | 90.5 | 297 | Joe Perrault | USA |
| 1961 | 96 | 315 | Jim Brennan | USA |
| 1962 | 96.5 | 317 | Pekka Tirkkinen | FIN |
| 1965 | 99 | 325 | John Balfanz | USA |
| 1968 | 102 | 335 | Adrian Watt | USA |
| 1971 | 105 | 344 | Jerry Martin | USA |
| 1978 | 113 | 371 | Gebhart Aberer | AUT |
| 1980 | 121.5 | 399 | Armin Kogler | AUT |
| 1991 | 122 | 400 | Werner Schuster | AUT |
| 1996-02-18 | 131.5 | 431 | Masahiko Harada | JPN |
| 1996-02-18 | 131.5 | 431 | Jens Weißflog | GER |
| 1996-02-18 | 140 | 460 | Masahiko Harada | JPN |
| 2002-02-23 | 142 | 466 | Kalle Keituri | FIN |
| 2004-02-21 | 142 | 466 | Olav Magne Dønnem | NOR |
| 2006-02-18 | 142.5 | 468 | Stefan Kaiser | AUT[2] |
| 2009-02-15 | 142.5 | 468 | Lukas Mueller | AUT |
| 2009-02-15 | 143.5 | 471 | Stefan Thurnbichler | AUT[4][6] |
The Pine Mountain Ski Jump tournament is held in mid February, and is sponsored by the Pine Mountain Kiwanis Ski Club.[1][2]
From US Highway 2 in town (Iron Mountain), turn west onto Kent Street just south of the Chapin Pit, and follow the signs. In about 3⁄4 miles (1.2 km), look for Upper Pine Mountain Road which winds up to the hilltop. There is no charge. The view from the observation deck at the top of the jump is about 30 miles (48 km).[3]