Get ready to watch some hill running insanity as the Red Bull 400 debuts at the Copper Peak Ski Flying hill in Ironwood on May 12, 2018.

Red Bull 400 at Copper Peak

Lots of Michigan trail runners know that there are some big and burly hill climbs on the North Country trail race, the Tahqua trail race in Tahquamenon Falls, and Dances With Dirt in the Pinckney recreation area. Now can you imagine running up a ski jump hill for the fun of it?

Well four hundred brave (and perhaps crazy) souls will be pushing themselves to the limit during the inaugural Red Bull 400 at Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill in Ironwood on May 12^th. While the race is only 400 meters long, it is 140 meters (or 459 feet) up!.

Copper Peak was built in 1969 and held its first International Ski Flying Competition in 1970. The ski flying hill closed in 1994. Since then the facility has been a popular place for hearty hikers to scramble up and get a commanding view of the beauty of the north woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Red Bull 400 will be the first competition held at Copper Peak since its closing. However, plans are currently underway to bring the ski flying hill back to life with a target of 2019 to resume ski jumping events.

According to the Red Bull press release:

“Copper Peak historically is a place where athletes push the limits of athletic ability and break records,” said Charlie Supercynski, President of Copper Peak Board of Directors. “We were used to seeing people fly off Copper Peak, not sprint up the jump. This brings a whole new element of competition and a great first event in the start of the revitalization of Copper Peak.”

Admission for the race has closed, however they are allowing people to sign up for a wait list. If you feel the quad burning desire to join in this insanity, then head over to the Red Bull 400 site to sign up. For the rest of us, head up to Ironwood on May 12^th to cheer on the wild goats who will be taking on Copper Peak during the Red Bull 400.