The event, which is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, is a fundraising effort in response to the pandemic cancellation of the 2021 DCHS Pine Mountain Continental Cup. To ensure the ski tournament’s future, the Kiwanis have undertaken a renovation to the historic jump at a cost of more than $3 million.

“In a year when things looked like it was going to be really terrible, for an organization like the Dickinson County Healthcare System to step up and do what they did, set a great example of the community getting behind something that’s been a tradition for 82 years or more. Words can’t express it,” said Kiwanis Ski Club Corresponding Secretary Susie Fox.

“It’s more important than ever–because we didn’t have (the ski jumps)–that the community realizes what they have here. And the only way it’s going to continue is if they continue to support the organization that puts it on, which is the Kiwanis Ski Club,” Fox said.

“Our commitment to the community is really what this sponsorship is about,” said Joe Rizzo, DCHS director of public relations and business development. “We would have loved to have seen some guys jumping, but it wasn’t in the cards.”

The newly renovated scaffold at the Pine Mountain ski jump will be a star attraction at the Kiwanis Ski Club’s open house Saturday and Sunday. A limited edition 2021 button is required to tour the tower and warming shelter. (Genevieve McIntyre Angeloff photo)

Chuck Nelson, president and CEO of DCHS, agreed.

“The (ski jumping) event was obviously postponed due to COVID. Our outlook is on the future,” Nelson said. “This is a signature event for the Iron Mountain area, and for us to be the signature sponsor of this particular event is really important to us. It shows the community we’re committed, and the display and commitment of the dollars is an outward attempt to show the community that we’re here for many other reasons than health care.”

The open house includes venues such as the Kiwanis clubhouse and the exposition building known as Popple Palace at the bottom of the hill, as well as the Springer Haus, BACCO Springer Village and the coaches tower at the top of the hill, according to a release from the ski club.

Custom wood products will be available for purchase at the top of the hill or at the clubhouse, including miniature ski jumps crafted from wood reclaimed from the original ski jump.

A limited edition 2021 button will be required to tour the new ski jump and warming shelter. The button is available for purchase at a number of locations throughout Dickinson County for $20 or on Etsy for $23.

Buttons can also be shown at Famers Restaurant in the Pine Mountain Resort for 1/2 price appetizers Saturday and Sunday.

Masks will be required at all times and social distancing must be observed. Weather-appropriate clothes are encouraged.

No children younger than 12 or under four feet tall will be permitted on the ski jump. All other children must be accompanied by an adult.

There will be a parking attendant flagging motorists where to park at the top of the hill, where space is very limited.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the ski club may mail an envelope to PO Box 475 in Iron Mountain.

For more information, visit the Kiwanis Ski Club Facebook page or www.kiwanisskiclub.com.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.