Jan 11, 2025
Sisu: A combination of stamina, perseverance, courage, and determination held in reserve for hard times.
Community Grant Applications Accepted in April
The SISU Ski Fest Board of Directors accepts grant applications every April 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 April 30th, with decisions announced by May 31st.
SISU Ski Fest receives 501(c)3 Designation
After 16 years as a 501(c)4 nonprofit, SISU retooled its mission statement and has been designated a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donations are now tax deductible.
SISU ‘26
SISU Ski Fest 2026 is under construction. Low snow caused us to cancel the race two years in a row, so we are re-thinking the entire event…
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 & Hurley, WI Year-Round Events Calendar
FeLiveLife.org
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 2025
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!
Upbeat Mood Marks SISU Weekend 2024
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.
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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