Popular from the start, the ski area opened in 1957. It was originally known as Cliffs Ridge, as it operated on land leased from the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company of Cleveland, Ohio. The first chairlift (a Riblet double) was installed on the skier's right side of Rocket Run in the fall of 1972. Prior to that there were 2 T-bars (the original Constam on the skier's left of Rocket and and a newer Hall Ski-Lift on the skier's left of Snowfield) and several rope tows. The ski area was renamed Marquette Mountain in 1982.