Oslo, Norway
Holmenkollen Beacon
Built on the famed Nordic site that’s been hosting ski jump competitions since 1892, this jump tower is designed to minimize the wind’s impact during the jumpers’ descent. The steel-and-concrete structure extends towards the clouds, casting a sharp silhouette against the Oslo sky.
Kongeveien 5, 47-22-92-32-00, skiforeningen.no
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Olympic Ski Jump
The translucent polycarbonate coating on this steel structure helps it blend into the snowy valley during the day and cast a supernatural glow at night. A tour to the top gives you a vista of the Bavarian countryside, but no need to pack your skis: You can get back down via stairs or the elevator.
49-8821-180-700, gapa.de
Innsbruck, Austria
Bergisel Ski Jump
Energetic visitors can march up the 455 steps to the café and viewing platform of this multi-purpose venue – nicknamed “the cobra” for the way it rears up above the tree line – for 360-degree views of Innsbruck and the Tyrolean Alps. But a funicular will get you there in record time, too.
43-512-589-259, bergisel.info
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Winter Sports Complex
Used as a training ground for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, this jump, rising 125 metres above the riverbank, will be the high point of a 300,000-square-metre complex that will also include an indoor ski bowl, ice rink, aqua park, Nordic cross-country ski track and – of course – a shopping centre.
Photos: Terrain.de (Olympic ski jump); bergisel.info (Bergisel ski jump); Wilkinson Eyre (Winter Sports Complex).
