The Great Outdoors: The History of Recreation in Marquette County Special Exhibit
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Bicycling | Birding | Cross Country Skiing | Dog Sled | Downhill Skiing | Guts Frisbee | Ice Skating | Luge | Paddling | Rock & Ice Climbing | Running | Scuba Diving | Ski Jumping | Snowshoe | Trails | Wildlife Photography
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Nordic Skiing
Cross Country Skiing
Cross country competition was becoming popular around the country as 1924 was the first national championship in Vermont. In 1932 Nordic skiing was included in the Olympics. A ski marathon began in downtown Ishpeming in 1923.
The 1970s saw a growth in cross country skiing. The Fit Strip (next to Park Cemetery) was one of the first cross country ski trails in Marquette. NMU Ski Coach Gary Gallagher designed the trail, and in 1974 the ski team, area Kiwanis, and other community members built it. Gallagher also groomed the trail. Lights were added the following year. The Fit Strip hosted regular Wednesday night races which often included athletes from Houghton. The first race was on New Year’s and they continued for 7 or 8 weeks with 10-25 participants.
The growth in cross country skiing was fueled in part by Bill Koch of Vermont winning the silver medal at the 1976 Olympics. It was the first time the US had medaled in the sport. The sport also benefited from the use of machines to groom trails and innovations in equipment.
The 1970s saw a growth in cross country skiing. The Fit Strip (next to Park Cemetery) was one of the first cross country ski trails in Marquette. NMU Ski Coach Gary Gallagher designed the trail, and in 1974 the ski team, area Kiwanis, and other community members built it. Gallagher also groomed the trail. Lights were added the following year. The Fit Strip hosted regular Wednesday night races which often included athletes from Houghton. The first race was on New Year’s and they continued for 7 or 8 weeks with 10-25 participants.
The growth in cross country skiing was fueled in part by Bill Koch of Vermont winning the silver medal at the 1976 Olympics. It was the first time the US had medaled in the sport. The sport also benefited from the use of machines to groom trails and innovations in equipment.
Enjoy some Nordic skiing photographs from our archives that are featured in the exhibit, and some photographs of the artifacts on display.
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Other area ski trails included the use of NMU's Longyear Forest in the 1980s and the development of Silver Creek trails in 1983. It was hoped the old Honor Camp there could be used as a ski center, but the project was too expensive.
Early season skiing was found in western Marquette County. Skiing was done on the Ishpeming Golf course, sometimes on 2" of morning snow that was melted by the afternoon. In the 1980s skiers went out to the Red Road off County Road 550. A snowmobile and homemade track setter was used there to establish a trail. Jon Nelson recalled one December in the 1980s it was the only place to find snow. A trail at the Negaunee Township Hall/ Firestation was also good for early skiing. In addition, nearby resident, Al Harden, groomed a trail on his own property and invited the ski team to train there in the 1970s and 80s.
Harlow Lake trail was constructed in 1981 by the DNR. The trail is narrow and is used for back country style skiing.
Early season skiing was found in western Marquette County. Skiing was done on the Ishpeming Golf course, sometimes on 2" of morning snow that was melted by the afternoon. In the 1980s skiers went out to the Red Road off County Road 550. A snowmobile and homemade track setter was used there to establish a trail. Jon Nelson recalled one December in the 1980s it was the only place to find snow. A trail at the Negaunee Township Hall/ Firestation was also good for early skiing. In addition, nearby resident, Al Harden, groomed a trail on his own property and invited the ski team to train there in the 1970s and 80s.
Harlow Lake trail was constructed in 1981 by the DNR. The trail is narrow and is used for back country style skiing.
Blueberry Ridge was first built on the west side of County Road 553 in 1977. A land trade and lumbering destroyed most of the trail but new loops were built in 1986 on the east side of the road. When the DNR ran low on funds, the ski team and club built two loops. In 1988 a skating lane was built by the National Guard. Today it is groomed by the Noquemonen Trail Network.
Ski trails by Suicide Hill and Hill St. in Ishpeming were developed by miner and ski jumper Norman Juhola. In the 1970s he realized the birthplace of organized skiing had no cross country trails. He contacted his employer and was able to use Cliffs property to lay out trails. He grew up building ski jumps in the area with Carl Pellonpaa (TV host of Finland Calling) and the ski jumping Bielila brothers. For several years, he groomed the trails after work. The trails were used for NMU races as well as by recreational skiers.
Ski trails by Suicide Hill and Hill St. in Ishpeming were developed by miner and ski jumper Norman Juhola. In the 1970s he realized the birthplace of organized skiing had no cross country trails. He contacted his employer and was able to use Cliffs property to lay out trails. He grew up building ski jumps in the area with Carl Pellonpaa (TV host of Finland Calling) and the ski jumping Bielila brothers. For several years, he groomed the trails after work. The trails were used for NMU races as well as by recreational skiers.
The Red Earth Loppet was begun in 1984 as a point to point race. Loppet is Swedish for race. The course varied over the years. In 1984 and 85 it ran from Cliffs Drive to Suicide Hill to Lucy Hill and finished at Marquette Mountain.
The 1987 race was nicknamed the Slush Loppett. The temperature was 70 in the afternoon and racers had to remove their skis and run in a few stretches. In 1989 the race was moved to Blueberry Ridge and no longer was a point to point race. The Noquemanon Ski Race was begun in 1999. Today it is one of the largest point to point ski marathons in the country, offering a full marathon of 50 kilometers, and six other races. National Mine and the Delta Trail Association developed the Winter Valley complex with 25 miles of trails and an A-frame Activity Center circa 1983. A skier could start at National Mine and ski to Marquette Mountain. Annie Trudell started the Superior Shore Skiers in 1979 to get state grants and develop these trails. She also got the National Mine’s school involved in skiing and in 1990 developed the Biathlon Range. The Carp River Forge Trail was 5 miles and developed by the Delta Trail Association from National Mine in 1986. |
Sten Fjeldheim began coaching at NMU in 1986. Today he is NMU’s head coach of men and women’s Nordic ski teams. His athletes have won national championships and competed on US Olympic teams. Born in Norway, he lived part of his youth in the US. In Norway, skiing was a way of life and he began when he was still in his mother's womb. In 1974 he came to Ishpeming for the Jr. National Championship at Suicide Bowl. He moved here the following year. Northern’s ski team has helped further the sport in the community in many ways.
Sten recalls how he got interested in training and competing after attending a ski festival:
We moved to Oslo when I was in 8th grade I saw my first big, big-big ski competition which is in Holmenkollen in Oslo, and Holmenkollen is a place right outside Oslo and it’s a ski festival and they have biathlon and Nordic combined ski jumping, cross country skiing, and our school got the whole week off because there were competitions every day…. it’s hard to give anybody the perspective of what it’s like there. Ok, go to the Superbowl, that’s what Holmenkollen is like. You know there’s thousands and thousands and thousands of spectators…The athletes come in [the stadium] and maybe do a loop and the front row is for the school kids and they all bang on the advertisements, the signs and the athletes come through and it’s deafening. So that was my first experience seeing a big ski race and I thought, that is really cool.
Sten recalls how he got interested in training and competing after attending a ski festival:
We moved to Oslo when I was in 8th grade I saw my first big, big-big ski competition which is in Holmenkollen in Oslo, and Holmenkollen is a place right outside Oslo and it’s a ski festival and they have biathlon and Nordic combined ski jumping, cross country skiing, and our school got the whole week off because there were competitions every day…. it’s hard to give anybody the perspective of what it’s like there. Ok, go to the Superbowl, that’s what Holmenkollen is like. You know there’s thousands and thousands and thousands of spectators…The athletes come in [the stadium] and maybe do a loop and the front row is for the school kids and they all bang on the advertisements, the signs and the athletes come through and it’s deafening. So that was my first experience seeing a big ski race and I thought, that is really cool.
Sten Fjeldheim speaks about:
Changes in Cross Country in Marquette County The NMU ski team helped further Nordic skiing in the area not only through trail development and grooming, but also through clinics which taught technique and waxing.
Marquette XC Ski Club formed in 1977 with John Frey as president. The club began the Bill Koch Youth Ski League with Don Hurst and the Noon Kiwanis. The Ski Club had lost interest, when it was rekindled by Sten and Pam Fjeldheim. Sten has seen skiing become much more visible and accessible in Marquette. He helped restart the Superiorland Ski Club with three goals: We started a ski club in my living room back in 1992 called the Superiorland Ski Club and the idea was to get a warming hut, that was kind of the mission statement was to get a warming hut somewhere, and we wanted to have consistent grooming and we wanted to have a youth league. And now all that has happened. Um, the warming hut took 25 years but we got one out at Blueberry for the community and that’s huge and Jon Mommaerts is part of this club and then we had a marathon called the Red Earth Loppett…so he took this race and changed the name to the Noquemanon and that has brought a lot of people to town, helps with the economy, so I think what’s changed is it’s much more visible, much more accessible and everybody benefits. Sten Fjeldheim Sten worked with the city of Ishpeming for about 10 years to design a competition course at Al Quaal which they got approved by the Federation International de Ski. |
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With traditional ski trails being narrow, one can't help but get to know people. Sten calls the area skiers a friendly and humble group. It also is very accessible. Sten recalls walking to the Fit Strip from campus to ski.
Sten imagines future cross country trails growing to something like the current snowmobile trails we have in the UP or like the ski trails in Norway. In Oslo, Norway one can ski 7000 km from Oslo, without having to travel to a trailhead and with warming huts regularly along the trail. Like other outdoor recreation, cross country skiing in Marquette is really accessible. After graduating, many athletes try to move back to Marquette. They realize: Oh it’s incredible to live here. A lot of other programs they have to drive an hour. You go out west you have to drive almost two hours, so we’re really fortunate. Sten Fjeldheim |
In the 1970s and 80s the place to buy ski equipment was at the Champion Bike and Ski Shop in Humboldt. Owners Bruce and Debbie Hanninen designed the Champion Nordic ski, a durable fiberglass touring ski which was more flexible than other skis. He had it manufactured in Colorado. Racing equipment could also be purchased:
It was great you know we could get fiberglass skis there and the newest boots and bindings. And I remember bumping into people from Canada from like Sault Canada that drove all the way from Sault Canada to Champion to buy equipment. I mean it’s kinda crazy if you think about it.
Sten Fjeldheim
Skiing equipment has changed from wood to fiberglass and techniques have changed as well to add more speed. Techniques like skating on skis was controversial. First skating was not allowed, but then a set of complicated rules and different skating styles were developed.
Now its pole length: poles have to be 83% of your height. Classic you can’t have long poles like this, [laughs] because they’re afraid they’re going to double pole the whole course. Our course that we built in Ishpeming [at Al Quaal] is so tough that I don’t need to put signs up. So that’s kind of one of the answers as well: make your course tougher so nobody can just double pole all the hills. But that’s an expensive endeavor, and we just got lucky because the terrain was there. Sten Fjeldheim
One of the challenges of cross country is grooming according to Sten. A good groomer costs a couple hundred thousand dollars. Not only is the equipment expensive, but the person operating it must be paid and it must be done, not just once a week, but because of lake effect snow, almost daily.
Many factors have contributed to an incredible trail system, particularly Blueberry Ridge. Sten calls it “the gem in the whole state of Michigan” adding: [The Director of the DNR] agreed that this is something that we have to preserve--this is a way of life and it, I think, breeds healthy people and it brings a sense of community. Sten Fjeldheim
It was great you know we could get fiberglass skis there and the newest boots and bindings. And I remember bumping into people from Canada from like Sault Canada that drove all the way from Sault Canada to Champion to buy equipment. I mean it’s kinda crazy if you think about it.
Sten Fjeldheim
Skiing equipment has changed from wood to fiberglass and techniques have changed as well to add more speed. Techniques like skating on skis was controversial. First skating was not allowed, but then a set of complicated rules and different skating styles were developed.
Now its pole length: poles have to be 83% of your height. Classic you can’t have long poles like this, [laughs] because they’re afraid they’re going to double pole the whole course. Our course that we built in Ishpeming [at Al Quaal] is so tough that I don’t need to put signs up. So that’s kind of one of the answers as well: make your course tougher so nobody can just double pole all the hills. But that’s an expensive endeavor, and we just got lucky because the terrain was there. Sten Fjeldheim
One of the challenges of cross country is grooming according to Sten. A good groomer costs a couple hundred thousand dollars. Not only is the equipment expensive, but the person operating it must be paid and it must be done, not just once a week, but because of lake effect snow, almost daily.
Many factors have contributed to an incredible trail system, particularly Blueberry Ridge. Sten calls it “the gem in the whole state of Michigan” adding: [The Director of the DNR] agreed that this is something that we have to preserve--this is a way of life and it, I think, breeds healthy people and it brings a sense of community. Sten Fjeldheim
Alpine Skiing
Downhill Skiing
Marquette Ski Hills
Superior Hill (where Bothwell and Superior Hill schools are today) was used by all ages for sleigh riding, tobogganing, Alpine (slalom and downhill) and Nordic skiing (cross country and jumping). In the 1930s, this required a walk there (and back home) and skiing in galoshes or regular boots. There was no warming shelter.
Kirlin Hill ski jumping at Mt. Mesnard (near today’s ski hill), opened in 1939. Mt. Mesnard was purchased from Elizabeth Kirlin Keating by the city in 1949 as a recreation area. Marquette Slalom Club developed the original 80 acres into ski runs and a jump. Prison labor helped build the original runs. The City of Marquette ran the hill.
By the late 1970s the area needed updating and repairs to the old rope tow. The Kaufman Fund donated money for the hill and it became known as “Kaufman Hill.”
Don Hurst first ski jumped at Mr. Mesnard when he was six years old. Many jumpers got an early start. He became a competitive ski jumper. Don also formed the Marquette Ski Club for high school student ski jumpers.
Superior Hill (where Bothwell and Superior Hill schools are today) was used by all ages for sleigh riding, tobogganing, Alpine (slalom and downhill) and Nordic skiing (cross country and jumping). In the 1930s, this required a walk there (and back home) and skiing in galoshes or regular boots. There was no warming shelter.
Kirlin Hill ski jumping at Mt. Mesnard (near today’s ski hill), opened in 1939. Mt. Mesnard was purchased from Elizabeth Kirlin Keating by the city in 1949 as a recreation area. Marquette Slalom Club developed the original 80 acres into ski runs and a jump. Prison labor helped build the original runs. The City of Marquette ran the hill.
By the late 1970s the area needed updating and repairs to the old rope tow. The Kaufman Fund donated money for the hill and it became known as “Kaufman Hill.”
Don Hurst first ski jumped at Mr. Mesnard when he was six years old. Many jumpers got an early start. He became a competitive ski jumper. Don also formed the Marquette Ski Club for high school student ski jumpers.
Downhill Skiing
Cliffs Ridge opened in 1957 with twenty five local investors. The first ski school director was Sepp Hoedlmoser (pictured above). Sepp was an Austrian who had grown up skiing, competing, and teaching. His wife ran the ski shop and the two later opened nearby Tiroler Hof motel (at the mouth of the Carp River). Sepp was also the first coach of Marquette High School and Northern Michigan University ski teams.
Seppie was the guru. As kids in high school, we all idolized the guy. He had so much knowledge. We’d wait for him to get off the t-bar, and we’d try to follow him down. He was like a rock star to us--fans swarming for an autograph. Seppie would ski up to us, do a 360, click his poles behind his back and say, ok, come on boys. He’d wedel away [ski with fast, short turns while keeping ones skis parallel] and we’d try to follow him. The guy was so knowledgeable, I remember sitting in the T-bar with him. We would watch a race on TV, and he would tell you the turn that the guy won the race on. Rico Zenti
The National Ski Patrol was formed in 1938 to reduce the number of accidents and aid in the rescue of injured skiers.
Cliffs Ridge opened in 1957 with twenty five local investors. The first ski school director was Sepp Hoedlmoser (pictured above). Sepp was an Austrian who had grown up skiing, competing, and teaching. His wife ran the ski shop and the two later opened nearby Tiroler Hof motel (at the mouth of the Carp River). Sepp was also the first coach of Marquette High School and Northern Michigan University ski teams.
Seppie was the guru. As kids in high school, we all idolized the guy. He had so much knowledge. We’d wait for him to get off the t-bar, and we’d try to follow him down. He was like a rock star to us--fans swarming for an autograph. Seppie would ski up to us, do a 360, click his poles behind his back and say, ok, come on boys. He’d wedel away [ski with fast, short turns while keeping ones skis parallel] and we’d try to follow him. The guy was so knowledgeable, I remember sitting in the T-bar with him. We would watch a race on TV, and he would tell you the turn that the guy won the race on. Rico Zenti
The National Ski Patrol was formed in 1938 to reduce the number of accidents and aid in the rescue of injured skiers.
Rico Zenti
Rico recalls skiing and teaching at Cliffs Ridge, which later became Marquette Mountain, when it had two t-bars and a small rope tow, no artificial snow, and very limited grooming. Rico has raced and skied all over North America. While a ski instructor, he used to cross country ski to and from and ski hill. In 1981 the hill added night skiing.
At one time the largest race league in the US was here in Marquette. The racing program continues to thrive, according to Rico, thanks to supportive parents who start their kids young and the support from both college students and retirees.
Rico’s nickname was the Speed Merchant. However, he recalls Sepp Hoedlmoser could still outski him when he was over 70 years old. These are Rico’s 223 cm (6’6”) racing skis which he used circa 1991. He was clocked at 72 mph and photographed the day he won that race at Marquette Mountain.
Rico recalls skiing and teaching at Cliffs Ridge, which later became Marquette Mountain, when it had two t-bars and a small rope tow, no artificial snow, and very limited grooming. Rico has raced and skied all over North America. While a ski instructor, he used to cross country ski to and from and ski hill. In 1981 the hill added night skiing.
At one time the largest race league in the US was here in Marquette. The racing program continues to thrive, according to Rico, thanks to supportive parents who start their kids young and the support from both college students and retirees.
Rico’s nickname was the Speed Merchant. However, he recalls Sepp Hoedlmoser could still outski him when he was over 70 years old. These are Rico’s 223 cm (6’6”) racing skis which he used circa 1991. He was clocked at 72 mph and photographed the day he won that race at Marquette Mountain.
Rico and several friends, called “The Founding Fathers” built a picnic spot known as the Backdoor. One year the locals were asked to move from the fire pit so another group could use it, but they were invited to make another spot up the hill. The new spot features a BBQ benches, and a good supply of firewood. Some people tend the fire and cook food. Those who stop by are typically invited to enjoy some free food.
Founding Fathers L to R below: Tom Artgensinger, Ed Bernard, Rico Zenti, Dan Dupras, Fred Martin, photo courtesy Rico Zenti.
Founding Fathers L to R below: Tom Artgensinger, Ed Bernard, Rico Zenti, Dan Dupras, Fred Martin, photo courtesy Rico Zenti.
The Marquette Backcountry Ski was developed by Marquette entrepreneur, David Ollila. He explained, “I always wanted to produce a ski, to make a snowshoe glide and a ski climb. The ski is a personal solution to a personal problem.” While other companies produce similar types of skis, his is more affordable.
Ollila’s first innovation was the launching of the UP Mountain Biking Magazine in 1996, bringing attention to a growing hobby. That turned into a website where cyclists could post their own video (this was before YouTube). In 1999 he started the company Viosport first as an internet video company. The company became one of the first to sell helmet cameras soon after.
Ollila’s first innovation was the launching of the UP Mountain Biking Magazine in 1996, bringing attention to a growing hobby. That turned into a website where cyclists could post their own video (this was before YouTube). In 1999 he started the company Viosport first as an internet video company. The company became one of the first to sell helmet cameras soon after.
Ski Jumping
Ski jumping in Ishpeming started with the Norden Club (pictured below) in 1888 with a jump at Lake Angeline Mine. The winning jump was 32’. Many towns around the UP, including Marquette and Munising, had ski jumps.
The Ishpeming Ski Club grew out of the Norden Club. Ishpeming’s early start in skiing led to the opening of the US National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame there in 1954.
The Ishpeming Ski Club grew out of the Norden Club. Ishpeming’s early start in skiing led to the opening of the US National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame there in 1954.
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As jumpers went further, larger hills were sought. Suicide Hill in Negaunee opened in 1926 with two jumps. The Ishpeming Ski Tournament will have its 133rd year of jumping there in 2021.
Five Bietila brothers, known as the Flying Bietilas, from Ishpeming dominated the ski jumping nationally in the 1940s-50s. A sixth brother, Paul died from a ski jumping accident in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1939.
Al Quaal Recreation Area opened in 1937 with three ski tows, 34 miles of ski trails and a 200’ toboggan slide. It was lit at night. The Winter Sports Club maintained the clubhouse and began a Carnival and Queen of the North Festival.
In 2016 Al Quaal received certification by the International Federation of Skiers, making it an important training area for NMU and other serious skiers.
Five Bietila brothers, known as the Flying Bietilas, from Ishpeming dominated the ski jumping nationally in the 1940s-50s. A sixth brother, Paul died from a ski jumping accident in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1939.
Al Quaal Recreation Area opened in 1937 with three ski tows, 34 miles of ski trails and a 200’ toboggan slide. It was lit at night. The Winter Sports Club maintained the clubhouse and began a Carnival and Queen of the North Festival.
In 2016 Al Quaal received certification by the International Federation of Skiers, making it an important training area for NMU and other serious skiers.
Thank you to all who contributed photographs to be used in this exhibit. Historic photographs are from the J.M. Longyear Research Library at the MRHC.