MBN On the Road | Copper Peak, Ironwood, Michigan, Bob Jacquart Interview, Ceremony, Project Blast!

Friday, May 30th, Chris Holman arrived fresh off 45 interviews at the Mackinac Policy Conference, on Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel, to be on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony for Copper Peak, of Ironwood, Michigan. This video shares an interview with Bob Jacquart, former head of Stormy Kromer. He's retired and put time and passion into the project at Copper Peak. Next there are excerpts from a ceremony ahead of the celebration of the next phase for the project at Copper Peak. And finally the countdown and project blast that marked the next phase. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCqNX… » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ The World’s Largest Artificial Ski Jump As you’ve probably guessed from the title, Copper Peak is the world’s largest artificial ski jump. While it hasn’t been operating in that capacity since 1994, we’re on the way to restoring the jump to its previous glory. In the meantime, visitors love stopping by Copper Peak to go on our Adventure Ride or explore our Mountain Biking Trails. And who can blame them? The Copper Peak upper observation platform provides views at 1,782 feet above sea level and 1,180 feet above Lake Superior, and the trails feature a 600-foot elevation gain over 5.5 miles. Now that’s not for the faint of heart! About the Jump The Copper Peak ski jump is made from 300 tons of sturdy COR-TEN steel and boasts a 469-foot cantilevered in run with a 35-degree slope. It’s built to withstand even the strongest winds, including speeds of over 190 mph. During windy weather, you may observe a gentle 18-inch sway at the top, but rest assured, there’s no cause for concern! The jump sways intentionally as part of its design. A Vision for the Next Two Years Our mission is to redefine Copper Peak as the premier ski jump worldwide, hosting year-round competitions highlighting the breathtaking beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the surrounding region. Our vision is to position the Upper Peninsula as a globally renowned destination for outdoor enthusiasts, inspiring a passion for the area as a distinctive place to live, work, and play while also fostering business growth in the region. How They Plan To Reach This New Adventure Over the past few years, Copper Peak’s Adventure Ride has experienced significant growth. Investments have been made in preliminary engineering, geo-tech studies, structural reviews, master planning exercises, and business case development to redevelop the hill to host international competitions. The Copper Peak Organizing Committee, appointed by the full board in 2015, has dedicated considerable time and resources to foster relationships with esteemed organizations such as the International Ski Federation (FIS), the United States Ski Association (USSA), USA Ski Jumping and USA Nordic Combined, as well as influential Michigan legislators and decision-makers. The ultimate objective has been to pave the way for the successful reintroduction of international ski jumping events at Copper Peak. On March 30, 2022, Copper Peak was granted a generous $20 million from the State of Michigan to bring this vision to life. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all those who played a role in this important investment by the state. A $20 million project for Copper Peak began on Friday with a ceremony. After a resounding boom, the Copper Peak project now begins. The goal of this project is to bring the ski hill to International Ski and Snowboard Federation standards. President of Copper Peak Bob Jacquart said this first phase is focusing on the landing hill. Jacquart says; “We’re going to redo the landing hill right now and get it, widen it, change the angle, and eventually pour a concrete slab so that we can have ski jumping in the summer,”