COPPER PEAK SKI FLYING: VIDEO AND PHOTOS

Overview and significance

Copper Peak is an iconic ski flying venue above Ironwood in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—the Western Hemisphere’s only ski flying hill and a striking, cantilevered tower set on the volcanic spine of Chippewa Hill. Built in 1969–70 and long known for its “Adventure Ride” to the panoramic platform, the site is now undergoing a major, multi-phase modernization to current international standards so it can host year-round ski jumping competitions and training. That project centers on reshaping and resurfacing the landing hill, adding refrigeration for winter use and plastic matting for summer sessions, and upgrading access and facilities. For freeskiers and film crews planning a U.P. swing, Copper Peak is not a lift-served ski area—there’s no downhill piste or park—but it is a world-stage venue you can pair with nearby resorts for a high-value, Michigan-northwoods itinerary.

The venue has kept its public character even during construction windows. On select days the Adventure Ride operates with a chairlift and elevator sequence to the viewing deck, offering one of the most expansive vistas in the Midwest. Meanwhile the hill’s event footprint stays active: the internationally known Red Bull 400 returned in 2025, sending runners straight up the inrun in a brutally steep 400-meter uphill race. The long-term goal is clear—bring top-tier ski jumping back to North America and put Ironwood on the competitive map again.

Terrain, snow, and seasons

Copper Peak is a purpose-built ski flying structure rather than an alpine resort, so think venue, not vertical. The inrun drops at about 35 degrees into a landing zone now being re-graded to a steeper, modern FIS profile before it is capped with a concrete slab and seasonal surface. Surrounding the tower, the Black River valley collects classic “Big Snow Country” lake-effect totals from Lake Superior; that generous snowfall supports the region’s downhill areas and keeps the Copper Peak skyline dramatic all winter. Operationally, the site’s public season is split: warm-weather months favor sightseeing, mountain biking and special events; in winter, access varies with construction phases and safety closures. For downhill laps, you’ll spend your ski time at nearby resorts and treat Copper Peak as the spectacle and the story.

When you build a trip around the venue, the local ski rhythm helps. The western U.P. often sees consistent cold and frequent refreshes through January and February, with forgiving spring cycles in March. That means groomers, trees and park lips at the neighboring hills stay workable for progression while you schedule a Copper Peak visit for a clear-sky panorama or an event day. Between storms, the tower’s profile against bluebird skies is a unique photo stop in the Midwest.

Park infrastructure and events

There is no terrain park at Copper Peak itself. Freestyle expression here sits in the “venue” category: wind-sculpted ridges for dramatic visuals and a tower that frames edits, not a park you can lap. The competitive identity is ski jumping and ski flying—historically on snow and, after modernization, on plastic mats in summer as well. The headline public event is the Red Bull 400, which Copper Peak has hosted as a signature return engagement. The venue’s official channels outline the renovation and the aim to welcome international teams year-round once phases are complete; start with copperpeak.net for project updates and visitor information.

If you want a true park day in the same trip, base at the nearby resorts and slot Copper Peak as your rest-or-spectate window. Snowriver Mountain Resort (Jackson Creek Summit and Black River Basin) operates the U.P.’s only high-speed six-pack chair and runs multiple parks when coverage allows, while Big Powderhorn Mountain focuses on groomed mileage, race lanes and local-scene features. Both are an easy drive from Copper Peak and make logical anchors for progression days.

Access, logistics, and on-mountain flow

Copper Peak sits just north of Ironwood off Black River Valley Parkway and Copper Peak Road. Visitors typically route in by car on US-2 or M-28, with regional flights into nearby hubs feeding rental cars for the last leg. On public operating days, the venue’s Adventure Ride combines a chairlift with a 26-story elevator to the viewing platform—check hours and any construction-related changes on the official site at copperpeak.net before you go. Event days (like Red Bull 400) run their own parking, shuttle and spectator plans; follow the event page for schedules and athlete access notes.

To keep your ski days efficient, stage downhill laps at Snowriver or Big Powderhorn in the morning and slide over to Copper Peak when weather clears for views or when an event block is running. Winter roads in the western U.P. can be snowy and slick; carry traction and leave buffer time, especially if lake-effect bands are active. If you’re filming, scout the tower from multiple pull-outs along the parkway and plan for wind exposure on the deck—layers and eye protection make the difference.

Local culture, safety, and etiquette

The Ironwood area leans welcoming and pragmatic. At Copper Peak, respect all construction fencing, rope lines and staff instructions—modernization work involves blasting, winch operations on steep slopes and heavy equipment on the landing hill. When the Adventure Ride is open, stay within signed paths on the platform and keep a firm grip on loose items; wind can be significant. During events, follow marshals’ directions for course crossings and spectator zones. If you’re transitioning to nearby ski areas, standard hill etiquette applies in parks and on groomers—call your drop, keep a predictable line, and clear landings promptly. The region’s deep-snow forests mean tree-well awareness is part of your safety toolkit at the neighboring resorts.

Best time to go and how to plan

For a winter itinerary, target mid-January through late February for the most reliable cold and consistent surfaces at the downhill resorts, and use clear, calm windows for Copper Peak deck visits or event spectating. March brings longer days and forgiving spring cycles that pair well with sightseeing. In summer and fall, Copper Peak’s public hours expand for the Adventure Ride and trail network—check the venue’s updates page for operating days, especially while the landing-hill rebuild progresses. Lodging clusters around Ironwood, Wakefield and the resort bases; book ahead for event weekends and holiday periods. Anchor your session plans to official pages: venue status and projects at Copper Peak, Snowriver’s lift and park info at snowriver.com, and Big Powderhorn’s snow report at bigpowderhorn.net.

Why freeskiers care

Because Copper Peak adds a world-stage story to a practical, affordable Midwestern ski week. You’ll stack reps at nearby hills, chase lake-effect refreshes, then stand beneath—or atop—a historic ski flying tower that is being re-engineered to bring international jumping back to North America. It’s not a place to lap a park; it’s a place to connect your skiing to a broader culture of gravity sports, document an unmistakable skyline, and, with luck, witness elite athletes return to a venue unlike any other on this side of the Atlantic.