• Tuesday-What'sUP February 9 - 09:39 am

If you think Mount Ripley Ski Hill is only for skiing or snowboarding, then you have to take a closer look at today's photos from Lindsay White. Her nephew was here for a weekend, recently and being the "cool Aunt," that Lindsay is, she took him and his friends snowboarding and skiing there, while also snapping some scenes that you get to take in as an added bonus. I like them all, but I think my two favorite have to be the first shot with her nephew and the scene looking out towards Houghton and the Lift Bridge and then the third shot with Lindsay and her nephew's shadows waving as they make their ascent up the hill on the ski lift. Quite the magnificent scenery from way UP high in Ripley!

Good morning all!

Looks like a lot of fun! I would be pretty clumsy on skis, my style would be "butt skiing"

OMG, I recall swooshing down these same hills back in the late 40's. I was not much of a skiier and felt sorry for those at the bottom of the hill that were waiting for the "tow rope" as I didnt have the ability to make a smooth stop. There is an old saying "I dont partake in sporting activities that have an ambulance waiting at the bottom of the hill"

When I was younger and growing up in Pewabic, we walked the rr tracks to the ski hill. In those days they had a ski jump rig on the top of the hill as they had competetive skiing at the time...when the competitions were over, we took huge pieces of cardboard; starting at the base of the ski jump we "flew" down the hill as the snow was so compact from the skiers. Such fun!
Now, the ski jump is no longer there. Beautiful area; now that it's lit up at night it's a sight to behold!

I experienced cross country sking in mid-life and loved it. But couldn't follow thru. Chaperoned 4-H kids once for downhill. Now it would be funny to watch but at the time I was embarrased how it turned out. Now I wonder how snowshoeing might have been. Looks like a healthy habit. Sure did my share of sledding and ice skating tho! Good memories.

I remember climbing around Mt. Ripley, but in the summer months!! The hill is used by the Field Geology class at Tech to map out an orebody buried under the hill, which means climbing up and down for the better part of a day. I've done it a number of times, both as a student and a teacher although the last time I have to admit, I cheated; I used a four-wheeler to go up and down.....

I remember trying to drive up there in a Bug. We went until it wouldn't go any more. Coming back down backwards was rather scary. Brakes don't work as well going backwards as forwards, and we sure didn't want to get sideways and roll down the hill. Probably would have scratched the paint up. Adults don't appreciate that.

Oh, how that ski hill has changed! In the fortys it wasn't as refined and expanded. The tow rope that was mentioned was the only tow. Mr. Thornton of Thornton Construction sent some of his men over there to build the tow. They had little knowledge of tows but they were sure they could figure it out. And it was a wonderful tow when they finished, but it was, at that time, the FASTEST rope tow in the U.S.of A..Man you went up faster than down. Sure was tough when your jacket got twisted on the rope. When you let go at the split it wouldn't let you get off. Going through the pulleys (pullies) was an experince! The state or someone made them slow it down so up was nearly as much fun as down. The collegiate rules a skier to enter 3 contests, slalmon, and jumping, thats why there was a ski jump. Folks have ben having fun for a long tme.

Nice to see Old Glory on top of that ski hill.

I noticed that Kay mentioned 4-H in her message. Oh, how important 4-H to us as we grew up. I remember a former deer poacher showing a group of 10-5 year old to lace their own snow shoes. I also remember the annual 4-h spring show at Houghton High School where the girls showed their talents at sewing and the gym was loaded with handicraft projects, food and leather projects. I just thought I'd mention the importance of 4-H in in the Copper Country.

I have heard some tales from not that long ago of some Tech students, at the very end of the season, sledding down Ripley on cafeteria trays.

Some of you Tech alums may not know that Tech has a new required activity fee, that includes a free lift pass on Ripley for the season. It's great for those who have time to use it, but there are a lot of kids who do not have the time. My youngest son wants to try downhill skiing this winter, if he gets time, when someone who has been before can show him how. (You still have to either own your own equipment or rent it by the day or the season.) If I remember right, there were a couple of fatal accidents a couple of years ago. One was a high school student from Ontonagon, I think, and one was a Tech student who wanted to ski on the team. That was a sad season.

Wow !!!! nice !!! wish I was there rite now Sweet !!!

Does any one have A photo of JIM'S TOO FOOD STORE On The top of Sharon Avenue. I am lookng for a picture for Jim's daughter down in fORIDA'
Any help i this would be greatly apprecited

Stewart all my gang had a variety of projects back then. These days I only am able to be an art judge for two local counties at their annual fair in July. Those kids really soak it up when I make suggestions. And they are so sincere. A real real good bunch of kids. 4-H is great. But I'm afraid the financial cutbacks in Il. is getting bad for the future.

as mentioned above the 4-H was a large part of our lives as we grew up in the Copper Countyr and Wally Keskitalo was the MSU extenison man for the area. I lived in Hubbell and our little group "specialized" in leather crafts and also joined the group at the Houghton High exposition in the spring time.

Mt. Ripley... I learned to ski there in the late 50's, and the rope tow was something else. It not only spun, tending to entangle any loose clothing, but occasionally it would break with a sound like a rifle shot. One being towed to the top had to react very quickly to prevent from going down the lift line backwards. Anyone remember the gentleman named Eino who checked for lift tickets, ski safety straps and loose clothing? BTW, Jim's first store was originally right across the street from Houghton High School I believe.