How to Learn to Ski Jump in a Harness

Ski Jump Lessons & Ramp Training for Novices

The Four Hills Tournament is composed of four Ski Jumping World Cup -Cross Country, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Alpine Skiing - events and has taken place in Obersdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen,Germany and Bischofshofen and Innsbruck Austria each year since 1952. Whomever earns the most points over the four events wins.

The height and length of the jump and the courage of the athletes make ski jumping a popular favorite. Those who want to experience how it feels to fly on skis can now even do this without prior knowledge at the Skiflyer installation in Höhnhart, about two hours drive from Munich, which opened in 2010.

Schmiedbauer's Skiflyer in Thanstraß at Höhnhart costs about $25 per flight and is open all year, Friday to Sunday and holidays open from 2pm. In the winter months it is only open to groups of ten or more.

How to Ski Jump with Harness/Chain Assistance

After climbing the tower an assistant will put in a harness and helmet and then you begin in a squat position down an 24-foot ramp. When you leave the tower a metal chain holding you to overhead wires will extend and you stretch, bend forward and put your feet into a V position.

Your arms are straight and extended behind you in the most aerodynamic position. The machine accelerates up to 40 mph on the ramp. The jump sails skiers over a meadow like a puppet on a thread until he/she glides down to a landing map. The whole thing takes about 25 seconds.

Where to Ski Jump in Germany

You can also learn to ski jump on a real, but small, ski jump. This requires only basic alpine skiing skills as everything else is taught in 3-hour or two-day workshop.

Novices with few skiing skills who are interested in trying their hand at it without the ropes and harness can take a few hours of instruction to learn to jump up to 30 feet. Check out these German destinations:

• Erdinger Arena Oberstdorf
• Wörgl, Tirol
• Bad Mitterndorf/Steiermark
• Lauscha
• Thuringian Rennsteig Steinach

So the next time you're watching a ski jump competition on TV and think to yourself, "I want to try that!" find a jump in your area, climb into a harness, and give it a go!