visit norway holmenkollen ski jump

Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower

Kongeveien 5, Oslo, Oslo

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Enjoy Oslo's best panoramic views and see the world's oldest ski collection

The Ski Museum was established in 1923 and has been located at Holmenkollen since 1951. The museum has a the world’s largest collection of skis and winter gear. In 2023 the museum building and several of the exhibitions was rehabilitated. In addition to the thousand-year-old skis, you can see exhibitions about the polar explorers and learn about the skis' entry into Norwegian history, and how they became a central part of the Norwegian identity.

Experience Oslo's best views from the top of the ski jump hill in Holmenkollbakken. Take in the panoramic view of the city and its surrounding areas.

You can also enjoy the thrill of jumping from Holmenkollen in the ski simulator or find cool gifts and trinkets in the souvenir shop.

Last updated: 02/12/2024

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Holmenkollen and the Ski Museum

Buy tickets for the Ski Museum, the Jump Tower, zipline and more

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Reopens for the centenary

On 3 December 2023, it will be 100 years and one day since the Ski Museum opened for the first time. The architectural firm Snøhetta has designed the new museum, which will be ready for the centenary.

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Adresse: Kongeveien 5, 0787 Oslo E-post: [email protected]

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Visit one of Oslo’s top attractions, where ski jumping and cross-country ski competitions draw large crowds each winter.

First built in 1892, the Holmenkollen Ski Jump (Holmenkollbakken) is among Oslo’s top attractions. Ski jumping and cross-country ski competitions draw large crowds here each winter, and the beautiful Holmenkollen neighbourhood itself is a hotspot of year-round recreational opportunities.

For a great view – if you’re not afraid of heights – head to the observation deck on top of the jump tower. You can even recreate the experience of flying through the air at 100 km/h in the “Ski simulator”! Or to learn more about Norway’s obsession with skiing at a more comfortable speed and altitude, visit the Holmenkollen Ski Museum to browse exhibits about how skiing has shaped Norwegian life over centuries.  

Holmenkollen Chapel in Norway

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Holmenkollen Ski Jump

The Holmenkollen Ski Jump, perched on a hilltop overlooking Oslo, offers a panoramic view of the city and doubles as a concert venue. During Oslo's annual ski festival, held in March, it draws the world's best ski jumpers. Even if you're not a dare-devil ski jumper, the complex is well worth a visit thanks to its ski museum and a couple of other attractions.

Admission also includes entrance to the ski museum and the ski-jump tower . Part of the route to the top of the tower is served by a lift, but you're on your own for the final 114 steep steps. To get to the museum, take T-bane line 1 to Holmenkollen and follow the signs uphill.

Get In Touch

https://www.holmenkollen.com

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A guide to visiting the Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo

Standing on top of a mountain north of Oslo in Norway is the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. A trip up here should definitely be on your list of things to do in Oslo. Oh, and don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you should jump it!

As you’ll see visiting the Holmenkollen Ski Jump is a chance to get great views of Oslo, enjoy some traditional Norwegian dishes and learn more about the history of ski jumping.

If you’re planning a trip to Oslo, make sure you read this guide to visiting the Holmenkollen Ski Jump for everything you need to know.

A guide to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, Oslo

The Holmenkollen Ski Jump is a massive ski jump with a history stretching for over 100 years.

The first ski jumping event at Holmenkollen took place in 1892 with a crowd of 12,000 people. For the first few years of this event, there was no ski jump like you’ll see today.

The jump was simply off a natural hill with a take-off ramp made from snow and twigs.

In the 1900s the sport became more popular and a run was built. Over time this was made taller and taller with wooden scaffolding that helped ski jumpers to go even further.

For the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, a taller tower with an elevator for competitors was built. Then, in 2011 an architectural competition took place for the design of the ski jump. The winner created the Holmenkollen ski jump that you see to this day.

What else is there to do nearby?

There’s quite a lot to see and do in the area, more than you’d first think anyway!

The Holmenkollen Ski Museum

Under the ski jump, there’s a museum which is the oldest of its kind in the world! It looks into more than 4,000 years of skiing history, has Norwegian polar exploration artefacts and has an exhibition on modern snow sports too.

If you like skiing or find polar exploration interesting then you’ll find this museum worthwhile.

Observation deck

Whilst you can visit the ski jump and just gaze up at it from halfway, or the bottom, it’s worthwhile queueing for the observation deck (and you almost definitely will have to queue!).

The deck sits on top of the jump tower and has panoramic views of Oslo and the fjords.

It’s quite possibly the best view you’ll find of Oslo. Also, you’ll realise just how terrifying a sport ski jumping must be once you’re at the top.

The Toboggan Run

In the winter there’s also a toboggan run which starts at Frognerseteren and ends at the Midtstuen metro station. The run is 2km long and drops 255m in elevation.

The whole thing takes 8-10 minutes so it’s great fun! Riding the Korketrekkeren run is free but it costs 100-150NOK (£15-£25) per day to rent a sledge.

The Holmenkollen zipline

If you’re not up for jumping the Holmenkollen Ski Jump you can zipline it instead! The Kollensvevet zipline is 361m from top to bottom dropping 107m in elevation.

The zipline is open from Spring – Autumn and your ticket also includes entrance to the museum.

Hike to Vettakollen

Vettakollen is a peak between Holmenkollen and Sognsvann with some of the best views of Oslo. It’s a fairly easy hike with a total distance of 2.4km there and backs which will take you just a couple of hours. To do the hike simply take the metro 1 from downtown towards Frognerseteren and get off at Vettakollen. You should see signs from there.

The Holmenkollen Troll

A slightly different attraction in the Holmenkollen area is the Kollentrollet; a 6.7m tall troll sculpture that looks across to the Ski Jump. It sits at Gratishaugen.

At Gratishaugen sits Kollentrollet, a 6,7-metre troll sculpture that looks across to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. You can get there by getting of Tram 1 at Holmenkollen and then it’s just south of the ski jump.

Kragstøtten viewpoint

At the Kragstøtten viewpoint is a statue of Hans Hagerup Krag who was partly responsible for building the roads in Vosksenkollen and Holmenkollen. There’s also a great view point here of southern and western Oslo making it worth a visit.

Bogstad Lake

Bogstad Lake is on the border of Oslo and Bærum and has a beach on both sides of it. It’s a popular fishing spot thanks to the perch, whitefish and trout that live there so you’ll probably see some fishermen when you visit.

In winter there are ski trails to the west of the lake and in the summer it’s great for hiking, boating and swimming.

How much does it cost to visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump?

You can visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump for free. However, if you want to visit the museum and climb up the tower to the top of the jump then there is a cost.

If you’ve bought the Oslo Pass (which I highly recommend!) then the Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower (and your transport up there) are completely free.

Otherwise, entrance to the tower and museum is 140NOK (about £12) for adults, and 70NOK (about £6) for children under 18.

What facilities are there nearby?

The museum has a cafe where you can get some food, a small shop, and restrooms. However, if you’re looking for some more substantial food then head over to the Frognerseteren Cafe www.frognerseteren.no near the station you got off at.

When is Oslo’s Holmenkollen Ski Jump open?

The Holmenkollen Ski Jump is open 365 days a year and from 9am-8pm in June, July and August. During the rest of the year the timings change slightly (usually 10am-5pm).

You can see the full opening hours here. 

Getting to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump

To get to Holmenkollen take Metro 1 towards Frognerseteren and get off at the Holmenkollen stop. From here, follow signs to the Ski Museum and Ski Jump which is about a 10-minute walk.

Remember, you can use your Oslo Pass to pay for public transport!

Last Updated on May 23, 2023 by Hannah

Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe , a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada , you’ll find posts on all of this.

Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.

Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.

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ok. seriously. my knees weakling when i look at the view! so gorgeous

thank you! 100x times better being there – camera doesn’t quite capture all the beauty! x

Norway <3 I can't wait to go back! I had reindeer sausages in a fantastic resturant/café in Tromso a couple of years ago, delicious!

Holmenkollen & Ski Museum

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• Map & transport

Holmenkollen is maybe the most famous sports arena in Norway, but also a historic landmark in Norway.

The Ski Museum is shooting into the mountain below the ski jump. The museum opened in 1923 and is the world's oldest museum specialized in skiing.

Ski history

Here you can experience 4000 years of exciting ski history through various exhibitions. The observation deck on top of the jump tower offers panoramic views of Oslo.

Ski competitions takes place from here every year. Going to Oslo under these events, and you will find out how seriously the Norwegian are about skisport. 

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Coordinates

• Lattitude: 59.962628
• Longitude: 10.666284

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Discovering the Majestic Holmenkollen Ski Jump: A Traveler's Guide

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Posted Nov 10, 2023 in Travel Ideas

Posted Nov 10, 2023

Venture with us as we delve deep into the heart of Oslo, unveiling the wonders of the iconic Holmenkollen Ski Jump. A symbol of Norway's illustrious skiing legacy, this architectural marvel beckons travelers from around the globe. 

Whether you're a sports aficionado, a history enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique travel experience, this guide promises to illuminate the allure of one of Oslo's most celebrated landmarks. Join us on this captivating journey and discover what makes Holmenkollen a must-visit on every traveler's Nordic itinerary.

What is Holmenkollen ski jump?

Nestled in the heart of Oslo, the Holmenkollen ski jump stands as a testament to Norway's rich skiing heritage. This iconic structure, often referred to as Holmenkollbakken, is not just a ski jump but a symbol of Oslo's sporting spirit. 

As we journey through the snowy landscapes of Norway, this ski jump emerges as one of the top attractions in Oslo, offering visitors a unique blend of history, sport, and panoramic views.

History of the Holmenkollen ski jump

The legacy of the Holmenkollen ski jump dates back to 1892. Since its inception, it has witnessed numerous renovations, with the most recent one in 2010, making it a state-of-the-art facility. 

Over the years, it has played host to various international competitions, including the Winter Olympics. The ski museum in Oslo, located at the base of the jump, offers a deep dive into the evolution of skiing, from ancient rock carvings to modern-day sports equipment.

Design and construction of the Holmenkollen ski jump

The architectural marvel that is the Holmenkollen ski jump is a blend of functionality and aesthetics. Its sleek design ensures optimal ski jumping conditions, while its towering presence offers breathtaking views of Oslo. 

The construction incorporates advanced engineering techniques, ensuring the safety of both athletes and spectators. The viewpoint at Holmenkollen is a must-visit, offering a bird's-eye view of the city and its surrounding landscapes.

How to visit the Holmenkollen ski jump

Visiting the Holmenkollen ski jump is a seamless experience. Here's a quick guide:

• Tickets: Secure your Holmenkollen tickets or Holmenkollbakken tickets online or at the venue. For those with an Oslo pass, special provisions might be available.
• Opening Hours: It's essential to check the Holmenkollen opening hours before planning your visit. The ski museum and the jump have varying timings, so plan accordingly.
• Getting There: Located at Kongeveien 5, 0787 Oslo, reaching Holmenkollen is easy. Public transport options are available, or if you're in the mood for a road trip, why not rent a caravan? Exploring Norway in a car offers a unique perspective.

How to get to Holmenkollen ski jump

The journey to Holmenkollen is as mesmerizing as the destination itself. Opt for the metro line from the city center, which takes you directly to the Holmenkollen station. From there, it's a short walk to the ski jump. Along the way, you'll be treated to picturesque views of Oslo, making the journey worthwhile.

The Holmenkollen ski jump is more than just a sporting venue; it's a piece of Oslo's heart and soul. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a history buff, or someone looking to capture the essence of Oslo, Holmenkollen promises an experience like no other. 

And while you're in the region, don't forget to explore other places to visit in Oslo, Norway. From the bustling city streets to serene natural landscapes, Oslo offers something for every traveler. 

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The Holmenkollen Ski Arena in Oslo

On the outskirts of Oslo city just on the border to the forest, one finds the Holmenkollen National Ski Arena. This area houses the Holmenkollen ski jumping hill, a cross country and biathlon skiing arena. There is also a roller skiing track for use in the summer season.

Also check out: Explore the Oslo Fjord with a Fjord Cruise

Holmenkollbakken (The Holmenkollen Ski Jump)

Where the ski jump is standing today there has been a ski jumping hill for more than a 120 years. During the decades it has been redesigned and rebuilt 19 times, and the latest version that we have today was inaugurated back in 2011. Click on the images below to see how it has developed.

The Holmenkollen Ski Jumping hill is a venue with a lot of history. In 1952, Oslo had the Olympics and the ski jumping took place in Holmenkollen. This was also when the audience record was set, with a whooping 150.000 people coming up to watch the jumping. This was almost a third of the population in Oslo back then!

Todays Jump tower is made out of steel, and the audience area of concrete, and the capacity is about 22000 people. Technically speaking it is a K-120 hill. Meaning that the Critical point is at 120 meters. Many jumpers jump beyond this point and then gain extra points. The current hill record was set in 2019 by Norwegian Robert Johansson, and is 144 meters.

Did you know the wild theory that Norwegians are born with skis on?

In my new YouTube video I explore the Holmenkollen ski jump, and head into the ski museum to find out more about skiing in Norway. Then it’s up to the top of the ski jumping tower. After enjoying the amazing view, it’s either the elevator down again, or a Zipline know as “Kollensvevet”.

Enjoy! Check out the YouTube-video here.

Link: The Ski Museum in Oslo

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10 Things to Do at the Holmenkollen Ski Jump (Holmenkollbakken) in Oslo Norway

•  The Akershus Fortress
•  The Fram Museum
•  The Holmenkollen Ski Jump
•  The Kon-Tiki Museum
•  The Munch Museum
•  The National Gallery
•  The National Museum
•  The Norwegian Folk Museum
•  The Norwegian Maritime Museum
•  The Norwegian Museum of Contemporary Art
•  The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
•  The Norwegian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design
•  The Norwegian Museum of Natural History
•  The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology
•  The Norwegian Resistance Museum
•  The Oslo Opera House
•  The Viking Ship Museum
•  Vigeland Sculpture Park

Holmenkollen Ski Jump

Holmenkollbakken is a large ski jumping hill located at Holmenkollen in Oslo, Norway. It has a hill size of HS134, a construction point of K-120, and a capacity for 70,000 spectators. Holmenkollen has hosted the Holmenkollen Ski Festival since 1892, which since 1980 have been part of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup and 1983 the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup. It has also hosted the 1952 Winter Olympics and the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1930, 1966, 1982 and 2011. The hill has been rebuilt 19 times; important upgrades include a stone take-off in 1910, an in-run superstructure in 1914, and a new superstructure in 1928. During the Second World War, the venue was used as a military installation, but upgraded in the late 1940s. Further expansions were made ahead of the 1966 and 1982 World Championships, as well as in 1991.

Opening hours

Open daily, 365 days a year. Ski Museum, jump tower and ski simulator: Oct - Apr: 10 am - 4 pm May - Sep: 10 am - 5 pm Jun - Aug: 9 am - 8 pm There will be shorter opening hours on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Ski Museum and jump tower: Adults: 160 NOK Students, Seniors: 140 NOK Children (6-18): 80 NOK Family (2+2): 400 NOK Guide: 1200 NOK (must be pre-booked)

More information and contact

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmenkollbakken

Official website http://www.skiforeningen.no/en/holmenkollen/

Email [email protected]

Phone +47 22 92 32 00

Address Skiforeningen, Kongeveien 5 0787, Oslo, Norway

Coordinates 59°57'50" N 10°40'4" E

Tours and activities: Holmenkollen Ski Jump

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Since opening in 1892, the winter park at Holmenkollen has hosted its annual Ski Festival along with many other winter sporting events, including the Olympics. The 60-meter-high Holmenkollbakken ski jumping hill is hard to miss. On the observation platform at the top of the jump, take in the panoramic view of Oslo and the Oslo fjord. Then, go inside the hill to visit the Ski Museum. Opened in 1923, the museum is the oldest of its kind in the world and its permanent exhibitions showcase 4,000 years of ski history.

Information on this page, including website, location, and opening hours, is subject to have changed since this page was last published. If you would like to report anything that’s inaccurate, let us know at [email protected].

Holmenkollbakken Ski Jump, Oslo, Norway

The main reason we chose this particular day’s excursion when in Oslo was because it included a visit to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump , which sounded a bit different from your typical cruise ship tours, and at the conclusion of our walk around the excellent Vigeland Park it’s to the hill where the ski jump is located – Holmenkollbakken – that we next headed. We like doing things a little different when we take trips, although we’re certainly not averse to doing the very popular tourist trips too simply because there’s usually a good reason why they’ve become that way. But on a cruise it’s sometimes nice to know that you’re going to be one of the small number going somewhere that most of the other cruisers aren’t. It still surprises me when I see fellow cruise bloggers and vloggers doing the exact same thing, time after time, in some weird race to feature more highly in (increasingly low quality) search rankings, when they could be standing out from the very crowded space. Not me, though. Always ready to corner that market of things nobody is interested in in the first place.

Now, I’m going to be brutally honest here – but I’m always brutally honest, so I don’t know why I’ve mentioned that – but a short visit as part of a larger excursion is probably not the best way to see Holmenkollbakken. It didn’t help that we had light but persistent drizzle accompany us on this visit to the ski jump and its hill, but the main issue was one of time. As with many organised tours, you either get too much time in places or too little, and this fell into that latter category. Holmenkollbakken includes a ski museum that’s the oldest in the world (relocated to this location in 1951, but originally built in 1923) and is exactly the sort of thing we’d normally do but we could tell immediately that we’d have to jog through it to have a chance of meeting back at our bus at the appointed time, and we don’t do jogging. There was also a ski jumping simulator that looked interesting but we couldn’t tell how long it lasted or whether it was in operation on the day of our visit so we had to give that a miss too. In fact, the limited stay was more-or-less only enough to use the loo and grab a coffee, which is exactly what almost everyone did. We braved the drizzle and snapped some photos, and that’s what you’ll get to see here.

We had known that Holmenkollbakken had been one of the locations for the 1952 Winter Olympics , and while we hadn’t known that it had also hosted several world championships over the decades too, that didn’t surprise us. However, the structure you see when you visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump only dates to 2010 when it was last rebuilt. It’s been rebuilt nineteen times in total since the first ski festivals took place in this region in the late nineteenth century.

I did a little bit of clambering down the seating area simply because I could. The almost-amphitheatre-like venue apparently holds seventy thousand spectators.

A couple of sculptures caught our eyes and they’re worth a mention.

Firstly, there’s Bikkja I Bakken , or the Dog on the Hill . Apparently, it’s been a tradition for some time that at the interval at Holmenkollen a dog runs out on the hill. This tradition was eventually memorialised by the sculptor Elena Engelsen.

The second sculpture is of Fridjtof Nansen , and its his polar travel and exploration exploits, and the cross country skiing that he did, that are the reasons for it. However, it’s very worth reading up about him from that link if, like me, you hadn’t heard of him before. An absolutely fascinating person, a worthy winner of the Nobel Peace Prize , and somewhat influential in Norway’s independence from Sweden.

A mildly disappointing trip to Holmenkollbakken for us as we’d have liked more time, but that’s one of the downsides to fleeting visits to places when you cruise and we accept that. We’d rather enjoy the experiences of many little things than one thing in-depth so we were satisfied in that respect, and we also accept that this isn’t a view that’s universally shared by other travellers too. Wouldn’t it be terrible if it were?

In the next part of this cruise travelogue series we’ll be heading down to the Bygdøy peninsula where quite a number of interesting museums are situated, and we do like a good museum or two. We’ll be starting with the Norwegian Maritime Museum .

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