It’s All Downhill!

Developed by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University (NMU), “It’s All Downhill” is a photographic exhibition focused on the U.P.’s Alpine ski hills – many of which have existed for 80 years. Sixteen ski hills remain in operation across the U.P., from the major resorts to the small-town hills. Each section of the exhibit will tell the history of the ski area and some of the individuals who made them what they are today. There are also photographs from each hill, including some of the ski areas that no longer exist There are also sections on U.S. Olympic Alpine skiers and state champion skiers who grew up and trained on the U.P.’s ski hills.

Descendants of Scandinavians first brought the pastime of skiing to the Upper Peninsula. During the late 19th and early 20th century, recreational and sport skiing in the U.P. was mostly Nordic (cross country and ski-jumping). Of course, where there is a large snow-covered hill, skiers will climb to the top to ski down the steepest slopes! The beginnings of Alpine skiing in the U.P., were Yoopers with a “need for speed.”

The first two ski hills with operating rope tows were Pine Mountain in Iron Mountain and Mont Ripley in Houghton, which were installed by Pabst Brewing Co. scion Fred Pabst, who was instrumental in developing Alpine skiing in the Midwest. Eventually major ski resorts such as Indianhead and Big Powderhorn near Ironwood in Gogebic County were developed in the 1950s and 60s, creating a new economic driver in these hard-hit mining towns. Most of these resorts continue to exist today. New areas like Mt. Bohemia refute the stereotype that Midwest skiing isn’t challenging.

Over the years there have been several U.S. Ski team members and Olympians from the U.P. including most recently Nick Baumgartner who won the Gold in Mixed Snowboard Cross in the 2022 games in Beijing. Nick grew up training at Ski Brule in Iron River. Mont Ripley has had three skiers who competed in the Olympics including brother and sister Chuck and Barbara Ferries and Mary Seaton. Terry Ahola grew up training at the Gladstone Sports Park and went on to become a member of the U.S. Ski team in the early 1980s.

In addition to all the historic info, “It’s All Downhill” features artifacts and memorabilia from some of the ski resorts and NMU’s Alpine program, vintage film footage of Cliff’s Ridge (now Marquette Mountain) courtesy of Jack Deo, and some interactive video skiing games to get you ready to hit the slopes.

Visitors to the exhibit are encouraged to record their own memories of skiing in “da yoop”.

The exhibit opens on January 5 and runs through February 29. Entry to the exhibit is through the Downtown Art Place. Hours are noon – 4pm, Tuesday through Sunday.