Holmenkollen ski jump

The Norwegians are a skiing-mad people. Who is surprised? Oslo is probably the only capital city in Europe where you can reach a fantastic ski and winter landscape within a few minutes by public transport.

Unique experiences

Breathtaking- standing at the top, on the forest-covered ridge of Holmenkollen with the famous ski jump. From the northern edge of Oslo there is a magnificent view of the fjord and the city. It is only a short walk to the ski jump tower. It rises to a height of 420 meters above the fjord into the sky and appears frighteningly steep. The legendary ski jump has been replaced by a new, very modern facility. To the observer, it appears like a giant soup spoon. It experienced its first major international championship in 2011. You can find out what it used to be like at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum. The city's striking landmark was first built of wood in 1892, then later rebuilt of stone. The famous ski jump was the site of the 1952 Winter Olympics and has since hosted numerous world championships.

Holmenkollen Museum Landscape

The ski jump record is currently 144 meters. If you like, you can try a jump yourself in the ski jumping simulator next to the hill. The men's downhill at Kvitfjell and the jump from Holmenkollen can be experienced in a safe way. Beware: even hard-boiled visitors have come out of here with shaking knees. The ski museum with its 2500-year-old Øvreboski skis is also located in the jump tower. Besides the extensive collection of skis, you can also see parts of the polar equipment of the explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Also of interest is the wealth of information about the development of skiing over the last 4000 years. A statue shows King Olav V on skis - together with his poodle Troll.
A glass elevator leads to the Holmenkollen visitor center. There is a cozy cafeteria at the ski jump table.

Coffee break with a view

From the ski jump, the road continues up past a small chapel. The dark-stained wooden church is often visited by the royal family on special occasions.
Following the main road, you soon reach the much frequented restaurant Frognerseteren with a magnificent view of Oslo. It is not only the view and the apple pie, famous throughout the city, that make the visit unforgettable. The wooden building, painted dark, was built in 1890 in the so-called dragon style. It resembles an architectural masterpiece and justifies the detour. If the weather is good, you can even see the Norefjell mountain range about 100 kilometers away. Another highlight is the ski festival held in March with the famous Holmenkollen jumping and international cross-country skiing races. In the midst of the pretty residential district of Holmenkollen - with its splendid, expensive wooden mansions - young and old alike flock to the ski resort. Loaded with backpacks, thermos bottles, seat mats and flags, the athletes wave to their compatriots. Some have their faces painted with the Norwegian flag. Even the royal family does not miss this spectacle and takes a seat in their own box.