Bergisel Ski Jump – what to expect

Rising above Innsbruck – and often said to look like a cobra from afar – the Bergisel Ski Jump is more than a monument to sport — it’s a place where history and adrenaline collide. And ski jumping in Austria couldn’t be at a more pivotal moment. Just days before our visit to Bergisel Ski Jump, Daniel Tschofenig came from behind in the prestigious Four Hills Tournament to complete an Austrian 1-2-3 on home snow.

We set out to explore this iconic venue on a crisp morning, having skipped the hotel breakfast. Catching tram 1 to Bergisel, we walked to the ski jump where the funicular whisked us up the hillside, followed by a lift to Bergisel Sky, a glassy vantage point perched high above the city.

The views from this sleek look-out are breathtaking—in the foreground, the skip jump and a panorama of the city beyond, against a backdrop of snow–dusted peaks stretching as far as the eye can see.

This is a site steeped in Olympic legacy and punctuated by feats of human courage since Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976, as well as the Winter Youth Olympics in 2012.

We had skipped breakfast because at Bergisel Sky they offer the most amazing Champagne brunch. We’re greeted with a platter of meats and cheese, and invited to choose items from a wonderful brunch menu that included everything from breakfast waffles and Bavarian veal sausage to scrambled egg and smoked salmon.

Towards the end of brunch, we are met by Andreas, a seasoned ski jumper whose calm and relaxed demeanour belied the daring nature of his craft. He led us to the summit of the jump — a dizzying height (approximately 120 metres from the starting gate at the top to the end of the landing zone) that brings to life just what these athletes do.

Here Andreas explained to us many of the intricacies of ski jumping, painting a vivid picture of the sport’s demands . He began with the origins of a ski jumper’s journey, explaining how athletes often start training from as young as six or seven years old. Progression is carefully calibrated: beginners start on smaller jumps, gradually building their skills and confidence before tackling larger heights. When they’re ready to move up, younger jumpers begin their runs from higher up the slope — a counterintuitive yet necessary adjustment to ensure they gain enough momentum for the jump. So a 16-year-old, when moving to somewhere like Bergisel Ski Jump, would actually have to start from higher up the slope than a seasoned Olympic ski jumper.

Andreas also described the meticulous regulations governing the sport, particularly the suits the athletes wear. These suits are tightly controlled to prevent them from becoming like wingsuits with an unfair aerodynamic advantage.

The boots are another critical piece of equipment; their fixings are designed to limit how far jumpers can lean forward, striking a delicate balance between optimal positioning and safety.

We talked about accidents in the sport and Andreas showed us a video of one of his own jumps where a gust of wind upset his balance mid-air, resulting in a spectacular tumble. Luckily he escaped without any broken bones and nothing more than scrapes and bruises, but it could have been a very difficult outcome. People often joke about there being a cemetry at the bottom of the ski slope but apparently this pre-dates the slope itself.

Before descending, Andreas invited us to sit on the ‘tremble bench’, the last station before a jumper launches themselves into the abyss.

For our safety, we’re hooked up with a harness and cord, before shuffling along the bench and getting into the position that the ski jumpers would adopt prior to launching themselves down the slope. That experience alone is, of couse, more than enough for us – it’s hard to imagine that anyone would willingly hurl themselves down such a steep incline on skis, reaching speeds of around 90 to 100 kilometres per hour!

Before heading back down, we have a bit more of a look-around at the view from the visitor platform. It’s worth visiting for that alone, but we really do recommend taking the opportunity to have brunch, chatting to a ski jumper and trying the tremble bench experience to get the most from your visit.

Back at the base of the jump, we looked up at where we’d stood earlier. From this angle, it looks just as ominous and unrelenting – a stark reminder of the courage it takes to launch from such a height. There are also various signs telling you more about the site and the sport, with interesting details such as information on the ‘fish belly’ structure that supports the underside of the inrun.

We take a look at where the spectators would sit – the venue’s grandstand provides excellent views of the jump, allowing up to 28,000 people to witness the thrilling action up close. In an earlier re-iteration of the stadium, Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass there in 1988 for some 66,000 people.

We also admire the Oympic rings and the cauldrons where flames had once burned, their legacy still palpable in the air.

Our visit to Bergisel Ski Jump had been an immersion into a world of fearless athletes, and a glimpse into the intricacies of a sport that balances daring with discipline. If you are in Innsbruck and are faced with the opportunity to visit, make sure you go for the full experience!

Disclosure: Our trip was sponsored by Innsbruck Tourism.