Great Lakes Sports Commission Helps Ski Club Improve Suicide Bowl

The Great Lakes Sports Commission has agreed to provide a $55,000 grant to the Ishpeming Ski Club in Michigan to help them complete their iconic Suicide Bowl ski venue improvement project.

The proposed project is part of a five-year plan to improve and modernize the venue, developing it into a regional ski jumping and Nordic combined training facility that will attract local and international athletes.

“I’m happy to see improvements being made to the ISC facilities,” said Billy Demong, Olympic gold medalist and executive director of USA Nordic Skiing. “The ISC works very hard to foster and create a top-notch training program for Marquette’s youth and has been giving back to the area for well over 100 years.”

Updates include a modern chalet with changing rooms, a meeting room and ski waxing facilities and a structure for storage and maintenance of grooming equipment.

“Improvements to the ski venue will allow the ISC to host more ski jumping and cross-country skiing competitions, attract more skiers, and develop the training facility,” said Richard Ziegler, ISC president.

For the past decade the ISC has been investing in improvements to the Suicide Bowl including creating more teams and competitions, purchasing grooming equipment, improving current trails and jumps, creating new trails, and offering “summer hills” in Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin.

“The support of the Great Lakes Sports Commission and other local businesses is key to the continued success of the Ishpeming Ski Club and the Suicide Bowl,” said State Rep. Sara Cambensy. “I’m excited to help bring this project to the local community.”