Mont Ripley
Encyclopedia
Mont Ripley is a ski hill in located in Michigan
's Upper Peninsula. It is owned by Michigan Technological University
. It was founded in the early 1900s (by Fred Lonsdorf) and has since grown to one of the premier ski hills in the American Midwest. With the addition of snow making in 2000, the season has been extended from late November to late March or early April.
Mont Ripley is known for its challenging terrain and spectacular views of Houghton
, Portage Lake
and the Huron Mountains
. It is also particularly popular with racers.
In 2006, a new building was built to ease congestion in the main chalet. The new chalet has a gas fireplace and added seating, as well as more lockers. It is mainly used for special events such as races and parties.
Mont Ripley also purchased eight more snow making guns to add to their capability to get all the runs open earlier in the season.
Also in 2006, a second chair lift, dubbed the "Copper Hoist", was purchased and was built on the east side of the hill in 2007, making it easier for skiers and snowboarders to use those runs, raising the lift count to three (2 chair lifts and one t-bar).
Mont Ripley has Been kept safe for over 70 years by Mont Ripley Ski Patrol. The Mont Ripley Ski Patrol is a Member of National Ski Patrol
since 1938.
In respect to the college, skiing was made a varsity sport at MTU in the fall of 1941.
A few years later in 1945 the Michigan College of Mining and Technology and the Quincy Mining Company reach an agreement where the college rents part of the land owned by QMC for $1.00 a year. The main reason for this lease was to expand the hill and to put up new structures such as ski tows.
In 1948 another big change came to Mont Ripley. They put up new electric lights so they could offer night skiing to their customers. This happened with six 1500 watt bulbs that lit the hill from the tow line.
In 1965, the new t-bar lift begins construction.
Later in this year, a contract was awarded to W.F. Milford& son to build the new chalet at the base of the hill.
In 1981 the new double seat chair lift is now up and running with a capacity of 1100 skiers per hour. The new lift is located to the west of the t-bar.
In 1997 the new lighting system is complete, it will allow for night skiing every day of the week.
In 2007 the newest lift is constructed to the east of the t-bar, it is another two seater and is named the copper hoist
)
Ripley, Michigan
Ripley is a small, unincorporated community in Franklin Township situated upon a slope, just east of Hancock on M-26 and across the Portage Lake Canal from Houghton....
's Upper Peninsula. It is owned by Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University is a public research university located in Houghton, Michigan, United States. Its main campus sits on on a bluff overlooking Portage Lake...
. It was founded in the early 1900s (by Fred Lonsdorf) and has since grown to one of the premier ski hills in the American Midwest. With the addition of snow making in 2000, the season has been extended from late November to late March or early April.
Mont Ripley is known for its challenging terrain and spectacular views of Houghton
Houghton
-Buildings:* Houghton Hall, a country house in Norfolk, England * Houghton Hall, East Riding of Yorkshire, a stately home in Yorkshire, England* Houghton House, a ruined house in Bedfordshire, England-Australia:...
, Portage Lake
Portage Lake
Portage Lake may refer to:Placenames in the United States:* Portage Lake, Maine* Portage Lakes, OhioLakes in the United States:* Portage Lakes * Portage Lake , in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan...
and the Huron Mountains
Huron Mountains
The Huron Mountains are located in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan, mostly in Marquette and Baraga counties, overlooking Lake Superior. Their highest peak is Mount Arvon which, at above sea level, is the highest point in the state of Michigan. Nearby Mt...
. It is also particularly popular with racers.
In 2006, a new building was built to ease congestion in the main chalet. The new chalet has a gas fireplace and added seating, as well as more lockers. It is mainly used for special events such as races and parties.
Mont Ripley also purchased eight more snow making guns to add to their capability to get all the runs open earlier in the season.
Also in 2006, a second chair lift, dubbed the "Copper Hoist", was purchased and was built on the east side of the hill in 2007, making it easier for skiers and snowboarders to use those runs, raising the lift count to three (2 chair lifts and one t-bar).
Hill modifications through the years
Mont Ripley has been an important part of Michigan Tech since the early 1930s’. It has been an integral part of Houghton-Hancock life since then. It has gone through many changes throughout the years.Mont Ripley has Been kept safe for over 70 years by Mont Ripley Ski Patrol. The Mont Ripley Ski Patrol is a Member of National Ski Patrol
National ski patrol
The National Ski Patrol is the largest winter rescue organization in the world. It was founded in 1938 by Charles Minot Dole, at the urging of Roger Langley...
since 1938.
In respect to the college, skiing was made a varsity sport at MTU in the fall of 1941.
A few years later in 1945 the Michigan College of Mining and Technology and the Quincy Mining Company reach an agreement where the college rents part of the land owned by QMC for $1.00 a year. The main reason for this lease was to expand the hill and to put up new structures such as ski tows.
In 1948 another big change came to Mont Ripley. They put up new electric lights so they could offer night skiing to their customers. This happened with six 1500 watt bulbs that lit the hill from the tow line.
In 1965, the new t-bar lift begins construction.
Later in this year, a contract was awarded to W.F. Milford& son to build the new chalet at the base of the hill.
In 1981 the new double seat chair lift is now up and running with a capacity of 1100 skiers per hour. The new lift is located to the west of the t-bar.
In 1997 the new lighting system is complete, it will allow for night skiing every day of the week.
In 2007 the newest lift is constructed to the east of the t-bar, it is another two seater and is named the copper hoist
)
External links
- Mont Ripley - Official site.
- Mont Ripley Ski Patrol - Official site.