Marquette Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marquette Mountain |
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View from Marquette Mountain
with Lake Superior in the distance |
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 Marquette Mountain
Location in Michigan
Marquette Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Location | Marquette, Michigan, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Marquette: 3 miles (5 km) from downtown |
| Coordinates | 46°30′29″N 87°25′12″W / 46.508°N 87.42°W |
| Vertical | 457 ft (139 m) |
| Top elevation | 1,257 ft (383 m) |
| Base elevation | 800 ft (244 m) |
| Skiable area | 169 acres (0.68 km2) |
| Runs | 25 - 15% easiest - 50% more difficult - 35% most difficult |
| Longest run | 1.25 miles (2.0 km) |
| Lift system | 3 chairlifts, 1 tow |
| Lift capacity | 5,200 / hr |
| Terrain parks | 0 |
| Snowfall | 117 in (300 cm) |
| Snowmaking | 50% |
| Night skiing | 7 nights / wk |
| Website | Marquette Mountain.com |
Marquette Mountain Resort is a fun place for outdoor activities in Marquette, a main city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It's a small mountain that offers exciting winter sports. You can also enjoy activities like mountain biking, volleyball, and hiking during the spring, summer, and fall.
The top of Marquette Mountain is 1,257 ft (383 m) above sea level. The mountain covers over 300 acres and has a vertical drop of 457 ft (139 m). This means the difference in height from the top to the bottom is quite a lot!
The resort gets a lot of snow, about 150 in (380 cm) each year. This is because of something called "lake effect snow" from nearby Lake Superior. Lake effect snow happens when cold air moves over warmer lake water, picking up moisture and dropping it as snow.
Marquette Mountain has three chairlifts and one rope tow to take you up the slopes. It also has special LED lights, so you can go night skiing after the sun goes down. The beautiful shore of Lake Superior is only two miles (3.2 km) away.
Contents
Welcome to Marquette Mountain!
Marquette Mountain Resort is a fantastic spot for outdoor adventures all year round. Whether you love zooming down snowy hills or exploring trails in the sunshine, there's something for everyone. It's a popular place for families and friends to have fun.
What Can You Do There?
Marquette Mountain offers different activities depending on the season. It's a great place to stay active and enjoy nature.
Winter Fun
When winter arrives, Marquette Mountain transforms into a snowy playground. You can go skiing or snowboarding on its 25 trails. The trails are rated by difficulty:
- 15% are easy (green circle)
- 50% are more difficult (blue square)
- 35% are most difficult (black diamond)
The longest run is 1.25 miles (2.0 km) long, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the ride down. With three chairlifts and a rope tow, you can quickly get back up the mountain. Plus, you can ski or snowboard at night, seven days a week!
Summer Adventures
When the snow melts, the mountain doesn't close down. In spring, summer, and fall, Marquette Mountain is perfect for other sports. You can go mountain biking on exciting trails. There are also places for volleyball and hiking. It's a great way to explore the beautiful Michigan landscape.
A Look Back: History of the Mountain
Marquette Mountain has a cool history, starting many years ago. It has changed names and added new features over time.
How It All Started
The ski area first opened in late 1957. It quickly became a popular spot for winter sports. Back then, it was known as Cliffs Ridge. This name came from the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company, which owned the land.
Lifts and Changes
In the early days, people got up the mountain using two T-bars and several rope tows. A T-bar is a type of lift where two people stand on skis and hold onto a bar that pulls them up. In 1972, the first chairlift was installed. This made it easier and faster for skiers to reach the top. The ski area officially changed its name to "Marquette Mountain" in 1982. More recently, in 2020, they started making even more mountain bike trails for summer fun.
Fun Facts Nearby
Did you know that the National Ski Hall of Fame is located nearby? It's in Ishpeming, about twelve miles (19 km) west of Marquette. It's a great place to learn about the history of skiing and famous skiers!
