Pine Mountain Ski Jumping Hill Renovated
The renovation of the Pine Mountain Ski Jumping hill in Iron Mountain (USA) started late May in order to assure that the facility in Michigan will continue to meet the criteria required by the International ski Federation FIS.
As part of this modernization, the characteristic inrun tower will be modernized, a ceramic inrun-track will be installed and a warm-up room will be constructed near the start gates. Contstruction in Iron Mountain is expected to last through October.
"As soon as the primary renovation of the ski jump and the ancillary facilities is completed, we plan to bring more activities to the complex to make truly a year-round attraction for tourists. We could not have gotten to this point without the generous contributions of our local businesses, sponsors, Ski Jumping fans, volunteers and the dedication of the ski club", says Nick Blagec, president of the Kiwanis ski club.
The Pine Mountain Ski Jump is one of the highest artificially created ski jumps in the world, located in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Dickinson County. It is part of the Kiwanis Ski Club and hosts annual FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup competitions. "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. Currently (excluding ski flying hills) Pine Mountain holds the U.S. records for the longest jump in World Cup competition at 140m (459 feet), as well as the overall distance record at 144m (472.44feet). The facility also includes two smaller ski jumping hills that are built into the hill northwest of the large hill. Attendance is about 20,000.[3]
Specifications
- Scaffold height: 176 feet (54 m)
- Scaffold length: 117m [2]
- Length of underhill (end of take-off to outrun): 632 feet (193 m)
- Length of underhill (end of scaffold to end of outrun): 1,032 feet (315 m)
- Critical point (K-point) of landing hill: 394 feet (120 m)
- Hill Size (HS): 133m
- Pitch of landing hill: 39°
- Estimated speed of skiers at takeoff (variable depending on wind and other factors): 55–65 mph (89–105 km/h)
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.
Locally known as "Giant Pine Mountain," it is reputed worldwide to be one of the best ski jumping facilities. The ski jumping fans are said to be friendly. It is also considered by most jumpers as the most challenging jump on the Continental Cup circuit and in the world. This partly is due to the fact that the top of the jump is nearly 600 feet above all of the surrounding landscape giving the jumpers the same view that they would have if they were standing on top of a 60 story skyscraper. Also, because of the jump and hill's high rise above the surrounding landscape there is a significant wind factor for jumpers making it more challenging.
Excluding ski flying hills, the Pine Mountain Ski Jump is the largest ski jump in the United States and it is between the 3rd and 8th tallest man-made ski jump in the world (depending on how height is measured). There are two other ski jumps in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: Copper Peak is the only Ski flying venue in the western hemisphere, located near Ironwood, Michigan (and has been called "Suicide hill"), as well as the pre-existing Suicide Hill Ski Jump located at Ishpeming, Michigan, which is near the National Ski Hall of Fame.
Continental Cup events have been held regularly in Iron Mountain in the past, the competitions there next season will take place on February 13th and 14th.
