Mont Ripley

Whole of Mont Ripley in January 2012, with the Quincy Smelter in the foreground

Mont Ripley is a ski hill located in Franklin Township, Houghton County, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The site is just outside the cities of Hancock and Houghton. It is owned by Michigan Technological University. It was founded in the early 1900s (by Fred Lonsdorf[1]). With the addition of snow making in 2000, the season has been extended from late November to late March or early April.

Mont Ripley is known for its challenging terrain and spectacular views of Houghton, Portage Lake and the Huron Mountains. It is also particularly popular with racers.

In 2006, a new building was built to ease congestion in the main chalet. The new chalet has a gas fireplace and added seating, as well as more lockers. It is mainly used for special events such as races and parties.

Mont Ripley also purchased eight more snow making guns to add to their capability to get all the runs open earlier in the season.

Also in 2006, a second chair lift, dubbed the "Copper Hoist", was purchased and was built on the east side of the hill in 2007, making it easier for skiers and snowboarders to use those runs, raising the lift count to three (2 chair lifts and one t-bar).

Hill modifications through the years

Western portion of Mont Ripley ski hill in autumn

Mont Ripley has been a part of Michigan Tech since the early 1930s giving it the distinction as the oldest ski area in Michigan and becoming an important recreational feature of the Houghton-Hancock area . The hill has experienced a series of evolutionary modifications since its creation, and continues to operate as a modern ski facility.

External links

References

  1. Bishop, Bob and Whitlock, Flint (1993). Soldiers on Skis: A Pictorial History of the 10th Mountain Division. Paladin Press. p. 191. ISBN 0-87364-676-2.
  2. Call, s. Michael. "SKI AREA SAFETY BOARD BOARD MEETING MINUTES". http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcsc/forms/ski/100507.pdf''. STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & ECONOMIC GROWTH BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES – LICENSING DIVISION.
  3. Nordberg, Erik (1999). Mont Ripley Ski Hill Chronology.

Coordinates: 47°07′45″N 88°33′34″W / 47.12917°N 88.55944°W