Copper Peak Ski Jump in Michigan: One of the Upper Peninsula’s Most Unique Attractions
Tucked away in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula, Copper Peak Ski Jump is unlike any other attraction we’ve visited on our travels. Standing high above the forests near Ironwood, it’s the largest artificial ski jump in the Western Hemisphere and one of only a handful of ski flying hills in the world.
We hadn’t planned on visiting Copper Peak. A conversation with a local while spending the morning in nearby Bessemer pointed us in its direction, and we’re glad it did. What started as an unexpected detour quickly became one of the highlights of our Upper Peninsula road trip. If you’re looking for a stop that’s a little different from waterfalls, beaches, and scenic overlooks, Copper Peak delivers an experience you won’t soon forget.
Quick Answer
Is Copper Peak Ski Jump worth visiting? We think so. Whether you’re traveling across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or exploring the Ironwood area, Copper Peak offers a memorable combination of history, engineering, and panoramic scenery. The journey to the observation deck is part of the experience, and once you reach the top, you’ll understand why this has become one of the U.P.’s most recognizable landmarks. Plan on spending about one to two hours for your visit.
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Copper Peak Visitor Information
If you’re planning a stop at Copper Peak Ski Jump, it’s easy to fit into a day of exploring Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Most visitors spend one to two hours enjoying the ride to the top, taking in the views, and exploring the observation area before continuing their trip.
Location: Ironwood, Michigan, about 15 minutes north of downtown Ironwood and just a few miles from the Wisconsin border.
Hours & Admission: Copper Peak is open seasonally, typically from late spring through fall. Admission fees and operating hours can change each year, so check the official website before your visit.
Getting to the Top: Your adventure begins with a scenic chairlift ride through the forest. At the upper station, an elevator carries visitors most of the way to the observation deck. From there, it’s a short climb up several flights of stairs to reach the very top.
Parking: A large parking area at the visitor center easily accommodates cars, trucks, and RVs.
Accessibility: Visitors who are unable to climb stairs can still enjoy the chairlift and elevator ride, but the final observation deck requires climbing stairs.
Allow: Plan on spending 1 to 2 hours to enjoy the attraction without feeling rushed.
What to Expect During Your Visit
The experience at Copper Peak begins long before you reach the observation deck. After purchasing your tickets at the visitor center, you’ll board a scenic chairlift that quietly carries you up the hillside through a forest of hardwoods and evergreens. The ride is peaceful and gives you a chance to take in the landscape while building anticipation for what’s ahead.
When we stepped off the chairlift, we looked up and immediately realized just how massive Copper Peak really is. From the ground, the ski jump is impressive. Standing beneath the tower, its true size is almost overwhelming. The elevator carries visitors most of the way to the top, but there’s still one final climb up several flights of stairs before reaching the observation deck.
The stairs weren’t difficult, and we always felt safe. What caught us off guard wasn’t the climb, but the sheer height of the structure. Neither of us is uncomfortable with heights, yet standing on top of the Western Hemisphere’s largest ski jump gave us a whole new appreciation for the athletes who once launched themselves down the ramp.
What Surprised Us
One thing we didn’t expect was the wind. It was calm at the base of the hill, but once we reached the observation deck, a steady breeze reminded us just how exposed we were high above the surrounding landscape. Combined with the sweeping views in every direction, it made the experience even more memorable.
From the top, the panorama stretches for miles across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and into northern Wisconsin. On a clear day, visitors can even catch a glimpse of Lake Superior in the distance. We spent several minutes simply taking it all in before making our way back down, realizing that what we thought would be a quick roadside stop had turned into one of the highlights of our trip.
Why Copper Peak Is So Unique
Copper Peak isn’t just another scenic overlook. It’s one of the most remarkable engineering landmarks in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and holds a place in ski jumping history.
Completed in 1970, Copper Peak became the first ski flying hill built in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike traditional ski jumping, ski flying allows athletes to travel extraordinary distances down a much larger hill, making it one of the most spectacular events in winter sports. Only a handful of ski flying hills have ever been built around the world, placing Copper Peak in some very exclusive company.
Although ski flying competitions were held here for only a few years, the structure itself remained an iconic landmark overlooking the forests surrounding Ironwood. When we visited, we learned that Copper Peak had just received funding for a major restoration project with the goal of bringing international ski flying back to Michigan. It was exciting to think that this historic venue might once again host some of the world’s best ski jumpers.
Even if you know very little about ski flying, standing at the top of Copper Peak gives you a new appreciation for the courage and skill required to compete here. Looking down the steep landing hill, it’s almost impossible to imagine athletes launching themselves into the air and soaring hundreds of feet before touching down below.
The View from the Top of Copper Peak
After stepping onto the observation deck, we understood why so many people recommend making the trip to Copper Peak.
The panoramic views stretch across the forests of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and into northern Wisconsin. On a clear day, you can see more than 2,500 square miles of surrounding landscape, including a glimpse of Lake Superior on the horizon. It’s one of those rare places where the scenery seems to go on forever.
What impressed us most wasn’t a single landmark. It was the sheer scale of the landscape. Looking out over miles of rolling forest, small towns, and distant ridges gave us a new appreciation for just how wild and expansive this corner of the Midwest really is.
If you enjoy photography, plan to spend a little extra time at the top. Every direction offers a different perspective, and the changing light makes it easy to fill a memory card before heading back down.
Should You Add Copper Peak to Your Upper Peninsula Itinerary?
Absolutely. If you’re traveling through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Copper Peak is well worth setting aside an hour or two of your day. It’s one of those attractions that’s difficult to appreciate until you experience it for yourself.
Before our visit, we expected to see an impressive ski jump. What we didn’t expect was how much we’d enjoy the entire experience. From the peaceful chairlift ride to the sweeping views from the observation deck, every part of the visit added to the adventure. Even years later, Copper Peak remains one of the places we talk about most when we remember that trip.
What makes Copper Peak special isn’t just its history or its record-setting size. It’s the combination of engineering, scenery, and the chance to stand where only a handful of ski flying venues exist anywhere in the world. Whether you’re a sports fan, photographer, history buff, or simply someone who enjoys discovering unique places, Copper Peak offers something you won’t find anywhere else in the Midwest.
If you’re already exploring destinations like Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Black River Scenic Byway, or the communities around Ironwood and Bessemer, Copper Peak makes an easy and memorable addition to your itinerary. Sometimes the best travel memories come from the places you weren’t planning to visit, and for us, Copper Peak was exactly that.
Looking for a Unique Place to Stay?
If you’re traveling through Michigan in an RV like we are, Harvest Hosts can be a fun alternative to traditional campgrounds. Members can stay overnight at participating wineries, farms, breweries, museums, and other unique locations while exploring destinations like Copper Peak and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
We’ve used Harvest Hosts on several of our road trips and enjoy the opportunity to stay somewhere memorable while supporting local businesses along the way.
👉 Learn more about Harvest Hosts and see if it’s a good fit for your travels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Copper Peak Ski Jump?
Copper Peak Ski Jump towers 469 feet above the hillside, making it the largest artificial ski flying hill in the Western Hemisphere. Visitors reach the observation deck by riding a scenic chairlift, taking an elevator, and climbing a short flight of stairs to the top.
Can you ride the chairlift to the top of Copper Peak?
Yes. Every visit begins with a scenic chairlift ride through the forest to the base of the ski jump tower. From there, an elevator carries visitors most of the way to the observation deck before a final climb up several flights of stairs.
How long does it take to visit Copper Peak?
Most visitors spend one to two hours at Copper Peak. That allows enough time to enjoy the chairlift ride, explore the observation deck, take photos, and learn about the history of this remarkable ski flying hill.
Is Copper Peak worth visiting?
We think so. Copper Peak offers a unique combination of history, engineering, and panoramic scenery that you won’t find anywhere else in the Midwest. Even if you’re not a ski jumping fan, the experience of standing atop one of the world’s few ski flying hills makes it a memorable stop during an Upper Peninsula road trip.
Is Copper Peak open year-round?
No. Copper Peak is typically open seasonally from late spring through fall, although dates and operating hours may vary. Before making the trip, check the official Copper Peak website for current hours, admission prices, and any special events.
Can you see Lake Superior from Copper Peak?
On a clear day, yes. The observation deck offers sweeping views across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, northern Wisconsin, and more than 2,500 square miles of surrounding landscape. Under ideal conditions, Lake Superior is visible on the horizon.
Why is Copper Peak famous?
Copper Peak is famous for being the largest artificial ski flying hill in the Western Hemisphere and one of only a few ski flying hills ever built in the world. Although international competitions are no longer held there, ongoing restoration efforts aim to return world-class ski flying to this historic Michigan landmark.
Explore More Michigan Adventures
Copper Peak was one of many unforgettable stops on our Michigan adventure. From Lake Michigan lighthouses and sandy beaches to waterfalls, scenic drives, and unique attractions like Copper Peak, the Upper Peninsula and western Michigan became one of our favorite road trips.
➡ Read next: The Ultimate Michigan Road Trip Along Lake Michigan and the Upper Peninsula
Have you visited Copper Peak, or is it now on your Michigan bucket list? I’d love to hear your thoughts or favorite Upper Peninsula attractions in the comments below!
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