The Big Nansen Ski Jump
Region: Berlin, The Great North Woods
Photo Credit: Nansen Ski Club Facebook
The Nansen Ski Club was founded in 1872 and is one of the oldest ski clubs in the United States. The club is named after Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian explorer, scientist, and humanitarian. Between 1936-1938, the Big Nansen was the world’s tallest ski jump and was the site of the first ever ski jumping Olympic trials in 1938 and the FIS World Championships in 1939 which attracted more than 25,000 spectators who traveled to the Great North Woods navigating small windy backroads and snow trains. More than 87 radio stations broadcasted the event live. The jump eventually hosted four U.S. National Ski Jumping Championships, a North American Championship, Eastern Championships, and numerous international competitions before holding its last event in March of 1985.
In 2017, former World Champion ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson, who has family in Plymouth, NH, decided to join the effort to revive the Big Nansen. She convinced her sponsor, Red Bull Energy Drink, to re-deck the jump for one “Last Leap.” On the morning of March 4th, 2017, Hendrickson launched off of the Big Nansen, symbolizing the beginning of a new era for the jump. Even now, with restorative efforts, enthusiasts say the jump is one of the scariest they’ve ever experienced—it sways with the wind!
Read more about Hendrickson’s jump
In this episode of the 603podcast, Dan Egan sits down with guest Scott Halvorson to discuss the history and culture of the Big Nansen Ski Jump
Scott Halvorson is a member and the treasurer of the Friends of the Nansen Ski Jump Committee. He is also the grandson of Alf Halvorson, who oversaw construction of the jump back in 1937-38. A major figure in the development of ski jumping and Nordic skiing in the Northeast, Alf Halvorson is in the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Scott remembers him fondly as a “incredible positive force and visionary…who never let facts get in the way of [the ski jump’s] progress.” Scott continues his grandfather’s legacy as a modern fierce supporter of the jump. Often times when historical site go into disrepair, they never get fixed. With Scott’s persistence, the Friends of the Big Nansen, the State of New Hampshire, and ski jumping supporters, the Big Nansen remains a proud icon of Berlin’s rich ski jumping past and bright future. Halvorson was awarded a Ptarmigan Award from USA Nordic for his efforts: The award recognizes individuals who have voluntarily provided time and extra service for the behalf of USA Nordic, its members, and the Nordic sport community.
Big Nansen Facts:
- The hill record on the Nansen Ski Jump is currently held by Christian Berggrev, who jumped 82.5 meters in 1976.
- At 171.5 feet, the jump stood as the largest steel tower jump in the United States in its heyday
- The jump was officially abandoned in 1988. This led to the jump becoming totally obscured by brush and trees, earning it the moniker of “The Sleeping Giant.”
- In 2019, the jump was added to the National Register of Historic Places and a $250k grant award from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) allowed a modern design to be completed and work to begin
- A ritual for Nansen jumpers was to participate in the Blessing of the Skis at St. Kieran’s Church to have their skis blessed before jumping.
- New Hampshire is the only state in the country with a ski jumping league. The 40 meter Little Nansen was the site of the 2023 state high school championship.
Want to visit or get involved with the Big Nansen Ski Jump?
- Come visit the Nordic ski trails
- Become a member of the oldest continually operating ski club in America!
- Visit the jump
- Volunteer
- Donate
Check out other ski jumping teams and clubs in New Hampshire:
Andover Outing Club (Andover, NH)
Flying Further & Lebanon Outing Club (Lebanon, NH)
Ford Sayre (Hanover, NH)
Gunstock Nordic Association (Gilford, NH)
Kennet Ski Jump & Mount Washington Valley Ski Jumping (North Conway, NH)
Plymouth High School (Plymouth, NH)
