Ski Devils raise money with film showing

By ZACHARY MARANO

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Ironwood — Winter sports enthusiasts gathered at the Historic Ironwood Theatre on Saturday to watch Warren Miller’s new film “Winter Starts Now,” featuring ski and snowboard athletes.

The event was organized by Ironwood Ski Devils coach Dan Tregembo and the proceeds from the ticket sales will support the high school ski racing team.

“Winter Starts Now” is Warren Miller Entertainment’s 72nd annual release. Miller was an American skier, snowboarder and filmmaker. He passed away in 2018, but his company continues to produce films bearing his name. This year’s film features footage from more than 25 athletes in locations such as the Rocky Mountains, New England and Alaska.

Tregembo said that Warren Miller’s films are well known in ski culture and they are released in the fall so skiers can watch them together and get excited for the upcoming season.

Tregembo said that the proceeds from the ticket sales will help pay for coaching, equipment and maintenance for the team. He also said that they will help pay for lift fees and transportation to and from events. With ski races planned at Powderhorn Mountain Resort and other places across the Upper Peninsula, travel expenses add up quickly, Tregembo said.

The fundraiser will cover about 60% of the team’s expenses for the season, Tregembo said. He said that the high school ski season starts Jan. 1 and continues until the end of the winter.

Doors opened early at the Historic Ironwood Theatre so people could visit with local sponsors.

The Ironwood Ski Devils are a non-funded high school sports team with racers from across Gogebic County. Tregembo is an independent promoter through Warren Miller Entertainment and coach of the Team Z race program at Mt. Zion, which is open to racers from age 5-17 who might later join the Ironwood Ski Devils.