ABOUT SISU SKI FEST
Sisu: Strength and determination in the face of adversity.
Our Mission
The SISU Ski Fest (SSF) was chartered in 2010 as a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. In 2024 we have applied for 501(c)(3) status with the following purposes:
To promote the activity of cross-country skiing & other winter silent sports through the provision of high quality recreational opportunities to area residents and tourists;
To develop special events and cross-country ski & silent sports attractions in the Gogebic Iron Range;
To receive and maintain a fund or funds to apply from time to time all or part thereof and the income therefrom for charitable or educational purposes associated with youth education in silent outdoor sports, or the advancement of winter silent sports recreation in the local area.
Funding
Funding is obtained from racer registration fees, racer voluntary donations, business and individual sponsor cash donations, membership dues, and SISU merchandise sales. In-kind contributions of goods and services are an important element in conducting the SSF. The other essential area that SSF depends on is the time that is so generously donated by local volunteers. Our volunteers keep SSF moving forward as an organization by volunteering at race events, and serving on the board of directors or race committee.
Outcomes
Thanks to our sponsors, partners, and volunteers, including the board of directors and race committee members, with the organization and leadership of our race director, SSF is able to host a premier cross country ski event that celebrates athletic excellence while bringing hundreds of visitors to the Ironwood area. Besides hosting the annual SISU Ski Fest events, our budget allows for the financial support of local outdoor recreation and winter silent sports projects in the Gogebic Iron Range that straddles the Western Upper Peninsula in Michigan, and Northern Wisconsin.
SISU Ski Fest Community Grants
Since its founding in 2010, SISU Ski Fest has gifted over $56,000 back to the community to promote silent sports and outdoor recreation, especially cross country skiing, in Northern Wisconsin and the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. $47,000 has been in the form of community grants, for example youth learn-to-ski programs, and another $11,000 to the City of Ironwood for initiatives such acquisition of the Iron Belle Trail, Depot Park development and the Mt Zion Park overlook.
Grant Applications Accepted in March
To apply, complete and submit the application electronically. Questions may be directed to board member Paulette Niemi.
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.
All recipients of a SISU Grant are required to provide the following deliverables:
1. Photos of the project (if applicable).
2. A short write-up of how the money was spent and how the goals of the project were met.
3. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the date the grant application was approved. Extensions can be provided with Board approval.
In addition to being “winter silent sports outdoor recreation focused,” a minimum of one of the following criteria must also be met to apply:
-Focused on youth outdoor recreation
-Within the Gogebic Iron Range of Gogebic County, Michigan or Iron County, Wisconsin
-Direct benefit to area organizations that are focussed on silent sports
-Community impact
2023 Grant Recipients
$9,000 was awarded in 2023, including $4,400 donated by SISU Ski Fest participants.
Thank you donors, racers, and sponsors!
Sisu Endurance Team Race Squad (pictured above) - $1,500 to purchase four sets of skis, boots, and poles.
Hurley School District - $1,500 towards the purchase of a side-by-side groomer with tracks that will allow them to expand their current one mile cross country ski trail to three miles. The trail will be open to the school and community during the ski season.
Wakefield Marenisco School District PE Dept - $1500 for additional skis for high school students to participate in cross-country skiing through the PE curriculum.
Bessemer Area School District PE Dept - $1500 for snowshoes to expand the PE program. Students will be able to experience snowshoeing in Bluff Valley Park right behind the school.
Ironwood Area Schools PE Department - $1,000 to allow up to 50 students in grades 2-5 to participate in the Barnebirkie youth ski event in Hayward, Wisconsin, in February 2024.
Mercer School District - $1000 to purchase a ski and snowshoe wall storage system.
The Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park - $1000 for signage in the park that identifies and describes notable historical features.
2022 Grant Recipients
Ironwood Area Schools - $1,000 for cross country ski equipment for their second grade ski program.
Sisu Endurance Team - $1,000 for equipment to expand their youth XC ski racing team.
Wakefield-Marenisco Schools - $1,000 for cross country ski equipment for their high school physical education programs.
Mercer Schools - $1,000 to purchase snowshoes to enhance their winter physical education programs.
Team Z Racing - $1,000 for slalom gates suitable for younger racers involved in their Alpine ski racing and training program.
Gogebic Community College - $1,000 – to purchase two mountain bikes for students to rent for free as part of the Samson Outfitter Program.
Protect Our Winters - $1,000 to the local climate change awareness organization. POW will partner with SISU Ski Fest to promote climate awareness.
Erwin Township Historical Society - $1,000 to install a bike station at the Erwin Heritage Park.
2021 Grant Recipients
Iron County 4-H - $1000 to maintain and expand cross country ski gear for the Sisu Endurance Team. The purpose of the program is to get young people in the region outside and enjoying the activities our community offers.
Wakefield-Marenisco School District - $1000 to purchase cross country ski equipment for older students. They currently have gear for grades 2-5. This money will enable them to include youth 6th grade and up.
906 Adventure Team. - $1000 towards the purchase of a trailer to transport gear to group activities.
Mercer School District - $1000 to purchase equipment for 6th to 12th graders so they can be part of the school’s cross country ski program.
Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park - $1000 toward their Equipment Building Project, to house and maintain their trail maintenance and grooming equipment.
Gogebic Community College - $500 to assist in their project to replace two bridges on their trail system near the college and Mt. Zion. These trails will be open to students and the community alike.
Penokee Rangers - $500 for their project to construct two portals to the Montreal Trails. These portals will replicate the unique timber structures used for safety underground in the Montreal Mine.
2020 Grant Recipients
Bay Cliff Health Camp - $1,000 for ski equipment for Bay Cliff winter camp participants, staff, and other area groups in Big Bay, MI.
Wolverine Nordic Trails - $1,000 for signage on the biking, hiking, and snowshoe trails maintained by Wolverine Ski Club and SISU Dirt Crew.
2019 Grant Recipients
Ironwood Area Schools - $1,000 towards their cross country ski program.
906 Adventure Team - $1,000 for new local chapter of this youth mountain biking club.
Gogebic Ontonagon School District - $1,000 for winter outdoor equipment for special ed program.
Friends of the Iron Belle Trail - $1,000 towards purchase of a duet bike.
MECCA Ski Trials - $1,000 for the MECCA Experience Fund to bring Seniors, youth and families to the trails.
2018 Grant Recipient
SISU Endurance Team - $1,000 - to purchase equipment for their new youth ski program.The SISU Endurance Team is a youth program open to youth in Gogebic County, MI and Iron County, WI in grades 2-12 and all skill levels are welcome. This program is sponsored by the Iron County 4-H program and the University of Wisconsin Extension and is made possible by the contribution of the volunteer coaches, assistant coaches, parent volunteers, and collaboration with the ABR Ski Trails.
2017 Grant Recipients
Red Devil Soccer - $1,000 for maintenance of the soccer field for the youth soccer club.
Ironwood's Middle School Ski Program - $1,000 for their learn to ski program that is now in its 10th year.
Wakefield-Marenisco School District - $750 for a groomer for their elementary Nordic skiing program.
Hurley Nordic Ski Club - $750 to further expand their Nordic Ski Program to the 9th grade. Hurley has been a leader in learn-to-ski programming within the local school systems. Students from 2nd to 9th grade now receive cross country skiing instruction as part of their physical education programming. Hurley National Honor Society students volunteer at our bag drop every year. What a super bunch they are!
Wolverine Nordic Trails - $500 for trail rerouting and reopening the Ottawa Loop, a single track skiing/snowshoe trail that has been closed due to wetlands issues.
2016 Grant Recipients
CXC Nordic Rocks Ski Program - $1000 purchased ski equipment and provided lessons for elementary school youth to learn how to cross country ski. Wakefield-Marenisco School benefited from the Nordic Rocks program in 2017.
Ironwood High School Cross Country Running Program - $1000 for team warm up jackets and a tent shelter for use at cross country meets.
Hurley School District Nordic Ski Program - $600 expanded their cross country ski program to middle school age kids.
Ironwood Parks and Recreation Department - $400 towards building materials for a handicap accessible observation platform at the top of Mt. Zion Ski Hill and look out area.
SISU Ski Fest Board Members
Missi King (2025) - President
Geneva Smiles Garvan (2026) - Vice President/Secretary
Kierstin Andresen (2026) - Treasurer
Paul Hagemann (2024)
Paulette Niemi (2025)
Vic Calore (2024) - term limit
Kris Darrow (2026)
The 2024 SISU Race Committee & Chiefs
Race Director - Jackie Powers
Aid Stations - Geneva Smiles Garvan
Awards - Stacy Wood
Bag Drop - Vicky Finco & Kelly Marczak
Bussing - Ironwood Area Schools
City of Ironwood - Paul Anderson
Depot Dash - Hannah Panci
Expo & Memorial Building - Mara Maher
“Finnish” Line Skier Assistance - Garth Stengard
”Finnish” Line Set Up - Mike Shouldice
Food Service - Ashley Sorrels
Photography - Aline Fetter
Race Course - Eric Anderson
Registration - Morgan Grasso
Road Crew - Garth Stengard
Road Crossings - Paul Hagemann
SISU Store - Carol Decker
Ski Patrol & First Aid - Zona Wick & Vic Calore
Sponsorships & Donations - Jackie Powers
Stadium/Starting Lines - Karl Zinzmaster
Volunteers - Kris Darrow