JUMP!
- Robin Lynn
- 5 minutes ago
- 5 min read
As the 2026 Winter Olympics finishes up its last days of competition, one of the fan favorites is ski Jumping; one of the most thrilling winter sports, combining speed, skill, and courage that caught the interest of Lake Mills as early as 1916. But how did this daring sport come to be? The history of ski jumping reveals a fascinating journey from simple leaps on snowy hills to the high-flying spectacles we see today.
A Brief History of Ski Jumping Origins
Ski jumping originated in early 19th century Norway, evolving from skiing as a practical winter transport to a thrilling pastime. The first recorded competition occurred in 1808 in Norway. Sondre Norheim, known as the father of modern skiing, was instrumental in popularizing the sport in the mid-1800s by introducing new ski designs and techniques that enhanced jumping distance and safety, turning ski jumping into a competitive sport.
You might wonder how ski jumping became popular. Imagine a group of Norwegians around a fire, sipping cocoa, when one enthusiastically declared, “I bet I can fly!” Not wanting to be outdone, the others strapped on skis and launched themselves off a hill. Thus, ski jumping was born—an exhilarating sport of defying gravity while avoiding a snowdrift landing!
Early Days of Ski Jumping in America
The early days of ski jumping in America were anything but polished! Picture this: natural hills and heaps of snow doubling as makeshift jumps, where the only thing more unpredictable than the landings was the weather. Safety? That was merely a suggestion! This thrilling sport took off in the late 1800s, primarily in areas where Scandinavian immigrants settled, like New England and the Midwest, bringing with them a zest for adventure and a penchant for flying through the air.
First Documented Events
Fasten your ski boots! One of the first documented ski jumping events took place in 1887 in the charming town of Red Wing, Minnesota. The excitement was palpable as participants and spectators gathered to see who could soar the farthest. Over the next few decades, ski jumping competitions popped up in iconic locations like Lake Placid, New York, and various ski jumping hills scattered across the snowy landscapes of Wisconsin, Minnesota and throughout the Midwest. It was a spectacle that had everyone on the edge of their seats!
Pioneers of the Sport
Enter the Scandinavian immigrants, the true trailblazers of ski jumping in America! They didn't just introduce the sport; they built a community around it, forming ski clubs that became the heart and soul of local training and competition. The New England Ski Club, founded in 1904, was the first of its kind in the U.S., paving the way for the sport's expansion. Towns like Mount Horeb, Madison, and Lake Mills, Wisconsin joined the fun, creating their own clubs and organizing events that brought people together in the spirit of camaraderie and competition.
Organized Competitions Evolved
By the late 19th century, ski jumping competitions became more formalized in Norway it's origin. The first official (Competition facility) ski jumping hill, or "bakke," was built in 1879 in Huseby, near Oslo, Norway, where the first major event was hosted. Established in 1892, the Holmenkollen Ski Festival became Norway's most prestigious ski jumping event and played a key role in spreading the sport internationally.
As the early 20th century rolled in, local competitions flourished like fresh snow on a winter's day. Simple snow slopes and ramps sprang up across the countryside, inviting thrill-seekers to take to the skies. Inspired by the exhilarating rush of flight, more and more individuals joined the ranks of ski jumpers, fueling a growing passion for this breathtaking sport. Ski jumping was no longer just a pastime; it was becoming a beloved part of American winter culture!
Locally, the natural terraced terrain of Tyranena Park on the north shore of Rock Lake in Lake Mills, WI was the ideal location for construction of a wood ramp with a landing on the downslope of the shoreline onto the ice of the lake built in 1942.
Ski jumping gained international fame in the early 20th century, debuting in the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France. This spurred countries like Finland, Germany, Austria, and the U.S. to improve their programs. Techniques evolved from an upright style to a more aerodynamic forward-leaning position for longer jumps and better control. Although few photos exist from Lake Mills, locals adopted this technique as one can see by an unknown young man in one of the photos who doesn't appear to be certain he was going to land on his skis.
By the 1920s, ski jumping's popularity led to national competitions, prompting the establishment of the United States Ski Association (USSA) to govern the sport, allowing American athletes to compete internationally.
Technological Advances and Safety Improvements
During the mid-20th century, significant technological advancements were made in ski jumping equipment and hill design. Skis became lighter and more durable, crafted from innovative materials such as fiberglass. Jumping suits evolved from simply being the warmest wool sweater your mother knitted and your Stormy Kromer, to being specifically designed to enhance aerodynamics and minimize drag.
Hill construction also saw improvements, with enhanced takeoff ramps and landing slopes that increased safety. Judges created standardized scoring systems that evaluated distance and style, making competitions both fairer and more thrilling.
By 1942 Lake Mills had built their own ramp and organized their first local competition.
In these local competition photos, you won't notice the common practice of using the V-style during flight because this technique wasn't introduced until the 1980s. A significant innovation of that era was the introduction of the V-style. Rather than maintaining parallel skis, jumpers spread their skis into a "V" shape while airborne. This method enhanced lift and enabled longer jumps. Although initially controversial, it swiftly became the new standard.
Modern Ski Jumping Today
The ski jump in Lake Mills has been removed for quite some time, yet ski jumping has evolved into a specialized international sport with training available throughout the year. Contemporary ski hills are meticulously engineered, featuring adjustable inruns and landing areas tailored to different skill levels and weather conditions. Competitions such as the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup and the Winter Olympics showcase elite athletes who achieve speeds exceeding 90 km/h and distances over 250 meters, a stark contrast to the slow speeds and 52-foot jumps of the early pioneers.
Technology improves both training and judging by using video analysis and systems for wind and gate compensation to ensure fair scoring, replacing the outdated method of determining winners based on who received the most gasps of shock or who simply landed on their skis furthest from the take-off point.
The sport enhances winter tourism by providing resorts with jumping hills for both amateurs and fans, while its history is honored in museums and festivals and even on the big screen with movies such as, "Eddie the Eagle", preserving its legacy. As ski jumping evolved, it became a vital element of winter sports culture in America, setting the stage for future generations of athletes and enthusiasts. Its blend of grace, risk, and spectacle has captivated its audience since the beginning.
BONUS ARCHIVE: We were fortunate to have received videos taken by Stan Dehnert in the mid 1940's one in which included footage of the ski jumpers (at time 7:47 in the video). Likely taken the same day as the still photos included in this blog.
