Olympic Ski Jump Garmisch-Partenkirchen

A running jump from 62 metres - and on skis? Most people get weak at the knees just from watching ski jumpers on tv. At the Olympic ski jumping hill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen you get to see one of the famous venues of the Four Hills Tournament up close.

The visit starts at the local tourist information. Over the course of two hours you enjoy stunning views of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the surrounding mountain panorama. Your guide provides information on ski jumping and its history, before leading you along the landing area, past the World Cup slalom hill, and into the judges' tower. Here you get a unique glimpse behind the scenes of what is usually reserved for the judges. From the takeoff platform you climb up the tower until you reach the head. Finally, you make your way back down inside of the tower, on the so-called "Himmelsleiter" (lit. ladder to heaven).

Guided tours take place on Saturdays at 3 pm. From mid-May until October, additional tours are offered Wednesdays at 6 pm. The minimum number of participants is 8 people, you can register at the tourist information or via telephone. Please note that tours are held in German.

Participants receive a discount at the local Olympic Exhibition. If the ski jump visit has made you long for some excitement, you might want to check out the Flying Fox. 240 metres long and 75 metres high, you can speed up to 70 kilometres per hour - this is not for the faint-hearted.

The first ski jump was constructed on mount Gudiberg in 1923, 13 years before the Winter Olympics were held there. Over the years, the hill has been modernised various times. In 2007, the old jump was replaced with an entirely new structure.

Since 1951, the New Year's Ski Jumping of the Four Hills Tournament, one of the most prestigious competitions in ski jumping, is held here every year.

Guided tours start at the local tourist information in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Coming from the train station, walk along Bahnhofstraße northbound, until you can turn left into Von-Brug-Straße. Walk until Richard-Strauß-Platz, where the tourist information is located.