The Superiorland Ski Club was founded in 1992 as a charitable non-profit organization with a 501(c)3 tax status. This tax status assures that all donations and sponsorship contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent provided by law.
Since that time, the Superiorland Ski Club has been dedicated to youth skiing and has resulted in serving an average of 125 youth skiers annually in our Nordic Ski Programs. These programs teach youth to ski, and enjoy and appreciate the winter and great outdoors. The club also provided coaching and support to US Junior National hopeful skiers. In 1997 the club hosted the Junior Olympics at Suicide Bowl in Ishpeming, Michigan and again in 2000 at Al Quaal in Ishpeming, Michigan. The club now funds and organizes the Marquette Senior High School Nordic Ski Team and hosts the Michigan High School Nordic Skiing Championships every 3 years. The club has produced many individual and team champions.
The club hosted the 2004 US Masters Nationals at Blueberry Ridge in Sands Township and at Al Quaal in Ishpeming. The Superiorland Ski Club was also the founding organization for the Lake Superior Shore Run in 1994, the Noquemanon Ski Marathon in 1999, and the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic in 2000, and the Junior Noque in 2004, providing sponsorship and volunteers to grow these events to their status as premier silent sports events for citizen athletes in the upper Great Lakes.
In January, 2016 the Superiorland Ski Club officially opened the Blueberry Ridge Warming Hut which the club maintains and operates for the public at the Blueberry Ridge Recreation Area lighted loop parking area. The club worked in collaboration with Sands Township and the State of Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation to build this needed warming facility. The hut is open during winter from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. A state recreation passport is required for entry to the Recreation Area. Donations are accepted at the DNR pipe (North parking area) for ski grooming support and in the Hut for its operating expenses.
Annual Club Award Recipients:
2018: Lifetime Achievement- Kathy Wright
Volunteer of the Year- Kay and Kyle Rambo
2017: Lifetime Achievement- Claire Twohey
Volunteer of the Year- Steve Carr
Skier of the Year- MSHS Girls Team State Champs
2016: Lifetime Achievement- Pam Fjeldheim and Debby Muskovitch
Volunteer of the Year- The extended Kilpela Family
Skier of the Year- Dick Ziegler
2015: Lifetime Achievement- Ursula Stock
Volunteer of the Year- Kathy Wright
Skier of the Year- Bill Short, M.D.
2014: Lifetime Achievement- Tom Wagner
Volunteer of the Year- Pam Fjeldheim
Skier of the Year- Abby Potts
2013: Lifetime Achievement- Daniel Wiitala
Volunteer of the Year- Dennis Whitley
Skier of the Year- Mik Kilpela
2012: Lifetime Achievement – Beverly Laughna
Volunteer of the Year – Ingrid Fjeldheim
Skier of the Year – MSHS Nordic Ski Team State Champs
2011: Lifetime Achievement – Bob Mahaney
Volunteer of the Year – Rick Kauppila
Skier of the Year – Greg Nelson
2010: Lifetime Achievement – Paul Hannuksela
Volunteer of the Year – Debby Muskovitch
Skier of the Year – Ellen Wiitala
2009: Lifetime Achievement – Sten Fjeldheim
Volunteer of the Year – Craig Stien
Skier of the Year – Zach Wagner
2008: Lifetime Achievement – Jon Nelson
Volunteer of the Year – Rich Uren
Skier of the Year – Tom McFadden
2007: Lifetime Achievement – Dr. Don Hurst
Volunteer of the Year – Sam Graci, Sr.
Skier of the Year – Matt Weier