This Abandoned Ski Jump in New Hampshire Will Sink Your Stomach

As the winter approaches, we’re guessing that a lot of New Hampshirites have snow on the brain. Skiing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding are all on the to-do list of winter lovers across the Granite State. While we were searching for new ways to enjoy the season, we came across this abandoned ski jump in New Hampshire. It was recently restored, but that doesn’t make us any less reluctant to even imagine going to the top in skis. What about you — could you stomach it? Also, be sure to check out the video of the jump being used in 2017 at the end of this article!

You might miss the Nansen Ski Jump, located just north of Berlin, if you're just driving by — it's that unimpressive if you don't know what you're looking at.

But the reality of what this structure is — and means — is something important if you love sports history and finding ways that New Hampshire has impacted a global institution.

Built between 1936 and 1938, the jump was largest in the eastern United States for 50 years. It was considered the foremost jump in the country.

It hosted major championship ski jumping competitions for decades, including being the sited of the first Olympic ski jumping trials which were attended by more than 25,000 people.

It hovers over the land with a 171-foot steel frame tower and a jump runway of a whopping 310 feet.

The jump was closed in 1988 and in 2011 a historical marker was placed commemorating the importance of its role in modern winter sports.

Beginning in 2015, an effort began to restore the historical ski jump back to its original state.

The project was completed in 2017, just in time for the first jump to be taken after nearly 30 years!

In the winter of 2017, nearly 80 years after its original construction, Olympic ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson gave the jump its latest piece of action.

With the goal of restoring the judge's stand and adding lights to the jump among other things, New Hampshire invested approximately $150,000 into the project.

Red Bull, Sarah Hendrickson's sponsor, also invested money in the project. Today it's available for exploration by those interested in the area's ski history.

You can check out Sarah’s incredible jump and see the Nansen Ski Jump in action by watching this video:

The park is located at 83 Milan Rd., Milan, New Hampshire. While it’s currently the off-season, visitors are allowed to explore but don’t expect any rangers or comfort stations to be available.

For more information on the park, check out the New Hampshire State Parks website. Or, visit them on Facebook where you can learn about other state parks as well.

For another unique way to enjoy New Hampshire, check out this hike leading to plane wreckage that dates back to 1942!

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This Abandoned Ski Jump in New Hampshire Will Make Your Stomach Sink

Explore New Hampshire

This Abandoned Ski Jump in New Hampshire Will Make Your Stomach Sink

Michelle

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