Great Outdoors: Copper Peak Adventure Ride

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If you’re looking for more than just a panoramic view when you go to check out the fall colors, head to Ironwood, Michigan.

In this week’s Great Outdoors we take a two and a half hour drive to Copper Peak’s Adventure Ride.

“We call this flying with the eagles,” said Copper Peak Volunteer Gene Carlson.

Ski jumping and flying aren’t for the faint of heart.

“Our ski fliers come off of this slide at speeds up to 70–mph and we are looking at 600–foot jumps in the air,” said Carlson.

IN the tip of the U.P. is a premiere location for the Olympic sport.

“Copper Peak is the world’s tallest artificial ski slide. It is the only one in the western hemisphere,” said Carlson.

For nearly two decades it challenged the most daring athletes.

“Back through the 70’s and 80’s we had 18 consecutive meets that were very successful and we had a lot of very excited people,” said Carlson.

It would all change in the mid-90s, inclement weather, caused financial concerns.

Now, the non-profit runs strictly as an adventure park.

You ride the chair lift up to the top.

“You unload at the top of the chair lift and it is a short walk down to the elevator, which takes you up 18 stories at that point you get out there is a large observation deck 360 degree view,” said Carlson.

It’s a view vista showcasing the Porcupine Mountains, Apostle Island and three local ski hills including Powderhorn.

Copper Peak is in the process of raising multi-million dollars to install a plastic hill where they will jump year round.

We’re told the Federated International Ski Flying Association is backing them to host a World Cup Competition in September of 2017.