Jan 11, 2025

 Sisu: A combination of stamina, perseverance, courage, and determination held in reserve for hard times.

Registration opens October 1st.
Due to the cancellation of this year’s race, 2024 registrants will be able to register early and at a discount.

Note: next year’s SISU, Jan 11, 2025, is the 2nd Saturday of January
SISU Ski Fest is the Saturday before the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Sometimes it is the first Saturday (2024) and sometimes it’s the 2nd Saturday (2025).

SISU board and race director accepting the award for Organization of the Year, presented by the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce January 16th. Left to Right: Vic Calore, Jackie Powers, Geneva Smiles-Garvan, Kierstin Andresen, Paulette Niemi, Paul Hagemann, Kris Darrow, and Missi King.

2024 Tee Shirts Available Online

Click on the tee shirt for more info:

Grant Applications Due March 31st

The SISU Ski Fest Board of Directors accepts grant applications every March for projects that support our mission of promoting the activity of cross-country skiing and other winter silent sports through the provision of high quality recreational opportunities to area residents and tourists.

The application deadline is March 31st, with decisions announced by April 30. More info & application

Dear SISU Ski Fest volunteers, local racers, and friends:

SISU Ski Fest is a nonprofit organization run by a board of directors. Our members elect the board. There is a nominal $5 charge for annual membership.

You are invited to become a member and attend the annual meeting.

Some topics we will cover are:
- Improvements made during the past year
- Future improvement goals
- Election of Board of Directors
- Farewell to outgoing board members Kierstin Andresen and Vic Calore

The full agenda will be forthcoming to those who RSVP. 

Hope to see you there!

Missi King
Board President

Organization of the Year!

Upbeat Mood Marks SISU Weekend

Maddie McPherson had a blast at the Depot Dash on SISU Friday!

Photo used with permission.

Party-goers gathered at the Ironwood Memorial Building SISU Saturday

January 9, 2024

SISU weekend has come and gone, and while the lack of snow caused cancellation of the race, some elements of SISU persevered.

The Depot Dash for kids was actually quite successful with 40 children on skis, some for the first time.

ABR worked diligently to open with about six inches of snow and SISU racers skied for free. According to Angela Santini, ABR co-owner, "A LOT of racers skied on Saturday! Everyone was so happy to be there and so grateful for the party afterwards. It was a really fun day!"

The SISU Expo and party saw about 400 racers, volunteers, family and friends. It was nice to mark the day with pasties, music, and the camaraderie of ski friends.

SISU ‘24

  • Cloth bibs (by popular demand)

  • Five year age groups for 30K & 15K races

  • Course improvements to smooth some sharp curves

  • 6% increased race capacity

  • Larger indoor warming near Start Line

  • 2024 racer hat for all skiers

  • Pasty lunch after your event

  • HEED energy drink and Hammer Gel on course

  • Indoor changing area near the “Finnish” Line

  • Bussing to the start line from downtown; bussing to ABR after the races

  • Ski Patrol/First Aid/AED at every aid station

Lodging

Gold Sponsor Ironwood Tourism Council represents the nine hotels and motels in Ironwood:

AmericInn by Windham
Budget Host Inn
Cedars Motel
Classic Motor Inn
Indianhead Ironwood
Magnuson Hotel
Royal Motel
Timberline Lodge
Quality Inn
TravelIronwood.com

Area Happenings

Ironwood, MI and Hurley, WI Events Calendar
FeLiveLife.org

Jack Frost Festival
Ironwood, MI
Nov 16 - Jan 27
Jack Frost Schedule

A Little Video

1 min video from SISU 2019

“The friendliest race I’ve ever done.”

"You feel like you are at a very important event and are motivated to come back every year... The volunteers are the best and the leaders and planners of the event are exceptional."

SISU Ski Fest Events
30K SISU Ski Race
15K Heikki Lunta Ski Race
5K Hauska Hiihto Fun Ski
Depot Dash for Kids

Some SISU Numbers
Established in 2010
880 registered in 2023 - most ever
925 - event capacity for 2024
18 states, Canada & Germany represented
350 volunteers
Coldest start: -8 degrees in 2017

What Racers Like About SISU Ski Fest
Great race course & grooming!
Awesome volunteers!
Well organized event!
Delicious pasties!
Cool awards!

2023 Race Recap

SISU Ski Fest 2023 took place on January 7th under ideal conditions and with a full field of 800 racers. Temperatures were in the teens at the start and moved into the 20s under blue skies by afternoon. Course conditions were described by racers as among the best ever, with winners posting fast times. Spectators and racers alike lingered at the “Finnish” line to welcome racers as they crossed the line victorious.

Local residents patiently worked around the eight road closures needed to run the course from ABR Trails to downtown Ironwood. Thank you drivers!

Pasties, fruit and cookies were served in the Ironwood Memorial Building afterwards as many gathered with friends to share the joys and sorrows of the day. But it seems that this year the prevailing spirit was one of happiness. Everyone seemed to have had a good ski, appreciative of the weather, the conditions, the volunteers, and the friendly people they encountered.

Awards went to the top three in each age group, and prizes to the top three overall in each of the 30K races.

Many racers and volunteers gathered for the party at the Theatre that night, while others partied in local homes and out on the town, while others drove home to rest up for their next adventure.

Ironwood welcomes SISU racers, and SISU racers are good to Ironwood.

We are all looking forward to next year!

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