The Ishpeming Ski Club will be hosting its 138th annual Ski Jumping Tournament, which will be held at the U.P. Nordic Ski Complex. The tournament events will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 17, at 6 p.m. on Jan. 18 with the junior tournament being held on Jan. 19. Gates open at 4 p.m. each day.

Aside from being a tailgating event, there will also be a fireworks display held on Saturday night. The tournament weekend will also feature bonfires, food trucks, fireworks and a great view of the tournament action.

“We put on a really good fireworks display,” said Peter Copenhaver, vice president of the Ishpeming Ski Club. “We do it Saturday night because more people bring kids on Saturday night. We’ve got music, we’ve got Double Trouble DJs out there helping us produce the whole thing. It’s just a lot of fun. We have concessions, too, besides the food trucks.”

On the club’s website, www.ishskiclub.com, there is a list of retail locations that are selling admission buttons. In addition, online sales are available through the website this year. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tournament.

A ski jumper takes flight off of the jump at a previous tournament. The Ishpeming Ski Club will be hosting its 138th annual Ski Jumping Tournament, which will be held at the U.P. Nordic Ski Complex, with events running Jan 17-19. (Photo courtesy of Ron Mattson)

“It is exhilarating seeing someone come off that ski jump,” said Copenhaver. “They’re coming off of that ski jump at almost 60 miles per hour, and when they hit the flight off of the takeoff, they’re overhead and it sounds just like a jet. The sizzling air as they kind of whiz by, it’s visceral.

“It’s one of those things, when you experience it in person, it’s awe-inspiring seeing these people take off and glide the length of a football field. They’re in the air for four to five seconds. I’ve been doing this for many years now, and I still have to watch every jump. It’s one of those sports that’s best enjoyed in-person. It’s just amazing to watch.”