What is it - Oslo is the capital of Norway and the country's largest city with a metro population of around a million people. The city served as a trading center and outpost during the Viking age until around 1400.  Thereafter, Norway was generally controlled by Denmark or Sweden or both until national independence was achieved in 1905.  In recent decades, the country has found ways to circumvent its mountainous terrain and harsh weather, by generating considerable prosperity for its 5.3 million residents from oil production, technology innovation and fishing. Norway has one of the highest per capita incomes of any nation in the world.

Today, modernity and economic success coexists with a reverence for traditional pastimes such as skiing and other winter activities. The Holmenkollen Ski Tower and Museum located high above the city on Holmenkollen mountain is an inspiring structure that provides thrills to contestants and fans, but it also impresses visitors who may not have seen a ski jump except for during a Winter Olympics telecast.

Impressive Structure

As you approach the ski tower and see it protruding high above the forest, you realize that you are not at the local ski slope anymore. The original ski tower was built in the late 1800s and upgraded on several occasions. However, in 2011, the entire structure was rebuilt to reduce the crosswinds that can be problematic for contestants and accommodate up to 70,000 people. Built on the slope of the mountain at a downward angle that approaches 36 degrees, the jump appears to burrow right down into the earth. At night, it is backlit and hovers above the mountain in the sky. The structure is constructed of concrete with a stainless-steel mesh along the outside. On either side of the jump slope are tiered stands and staircases to the top. 

Visitors to the site can start by looking up to the top of the tower and then down into the jump area from the adjoining parking area. There are also two elevated observation areas. One is about a third of the way up the stands and the other is at the top of the tower which can be reached by elevator. The view of the city is spectacular from that location. Looking down from the tower makes you realize the incredible courage it takes for a jumper to let go, travel down on their skis at over 60 miles per hour, and then leap towards the sky with the goal of traveling as far down the hill as possible and making a safe landing. The record ski jump stands at 144 meters which is more than the distance to the centerfield stands in most professional baseball stadiums. 

Interactive Experiences

In today's interactive world, there are three ways in which visitors can experience the art of ski jumping. First, the truly brave can take a zip line from the top of the tower all the way to the bottom. Second, there is a ski jump simulator machine which takes a dozen people at a time through a full simulation including mounting the tower, careening down the slope, and launching through the air to a safe landing in front of thrilled spectators. Finally, Airbnb has established a penthouse apartment at the top of the ski jump which can be rented out for several nights per year for a princely sum.

As an alternative to these adventures, most people visit the Norway Ski Museum which is housed directly under the ski tower and is included in the price of admission. The museum presents exhibitions and artifacts about the history of skiing in the region dating back to the bronze age as well as the development of skiing as a mode of transportation and national sport in Norway. There are also displays about great ski jump champions and modern alternatives such as snowboarding.

Interesting facts - The ski tower is regarded as one of Norway’s most important landmarks because of its location and long history. It was the site of the 1952 Winter Olympics and numerous world cup competitions. Each year approximately a million people visit the Tower, the Museum and the adjoining Holmenkollen National Arena which includes other facilities for cross-country skiing, biathlon, and Nordic skiing.

When to Go - Since Oslo is located on the water and the ski tower is high above the harbor, fog can occur on the mountain and there is about a 30% chance for precipitation throughout the year. In general, as long as you are not seeking to catch a competition or skiers in training, the summer months of June through early September tend to have the nicest weather for a visit. Regardless of the month, come prepared for it to be cool at the top of the mountain by bringing an appropriate additional layer of clothing with you. 

How to Get There - There are no direct flights to Oslo from the United States currently. However, Oslo is served by many leading European carriers and is one of the home bases of popular and competitively priced Norwegian Air. Other hubs with direct flights to Oslo include London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Paris. Once you are in the city, you can reach the site via a scenic metro ride from the city center up to the Holmenkollen Metro Station and a short walk. A stop at the ski tower is often included on many city tours but be sure to check the tour schedule to make sure it provides enough time to take in the various activities there rather than just a photo.

Cost - The cost for admission to the ski tower museum is generally 150 krone per adult or roughly $15 to $20. The ski simulator and zipline require an additional charge.