Ishpeming is known for its rich history, beautiful surroundings, and the birth of organized skiing in the United States – it is
now home to the National Ski Hall of Fame. Ishpeming serves to this day as the Upper Peninsula operations headquarters for Cleveland-Cliffs Iron, which was one of the country’s biggest iron-mining companies for decades. The Cliffs Shaft Mine site, a Michigan state historical site, is the location of one of the most productive of the area’s underground iron ore mines. Although the mine was closed in 1969, the shaft buildings dominate Ishpeming’s skyline.
In the winter the area is known for its 1,200-foot iced toboggan slide, nearby luge run, and Suicide Hill Ski Jump. Ishpeming offers sights for all seasons, one of which is Jasper Knob, the world’s largest gemstone which is composed completely of jaspilite. Jaspilite is a rock made of bands of bright red jasper, alternating with bands of specular hematite. Recreation options in the area include skiing, hiking and mountain biking with the local RAMBA trails being featured in the Marji Gesick bike race, deemed to be the hardest single-day mountain bike race in America.
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