You might think that we are a little bit crazy for suggesting ski jumping. After all, this is where you head down a slope and fling yourself off into mid-air, not knowing exactly where and how you are going to land. It is definitely one for those who have a strong sense of adventure and a love of extreme sports, but those who have a bit of skiing experience will be able to give it a go, Canada should be top of your list of places.
The good news is that jumps for beginners start from just 5 metres, so you do not need to have nightmares about anything more extreme until you are sure that you know what you are doing. It should be noted that the equipment for ski jumping is different from that needed for standard skiing. The length of the skis is around 2.5 metres and the width is double than a standard one. The boot that you wear is only fixed to the ski at the toe, so the heel is able to lift away from the ski, which is what helps to give the ski jumper a sleeker position in mid-air and helps to land properly.
It was the Norwegians that brought ski jumping to Canada and in the western part of the country it quickly became established. After a number of years as unfashionable, it is now becoming a trendy sport once again. You do not even have to make the trip during the winter months, there are plenty of summer facilities which have been established. There is a ski jump within the Calgary Olympic Park which attracts hundreds of people each month.
However, it is not simply a question of turning up and giving it a go, particularly for those who have minimal skiing experience, it is a good idea to take some lessons and build up slowly to those death-defying jumps you see on the Olympics. Most schools are connected to a particular resort or a particular event and those who go along may find that they are able to take part in competitions, but this is mainly for those who live close enough to the training area to go regularly and make it a part of their lives.
In Canada there are many ski resorts where you can take lessons in ski jumping and try at some smaller jumps. Mt. Norquay is one of them and can be found in Alberta, this particular resort has made a name for itself in the ski jumping world and has facilities for most levels of expertise. Alternatively, you can try the Nitehawk Ski Area, which is close to Grande Prairie in Alberta, this has grown a great deal over the years and thousands come here now each year. There is a freestyle ramp for those who want to practise their ski jumping and it can be used all year round.
So what is the attraction with ski jumping? It is definitely one for the adrenaline junkies, particularly those who enjoy higher jumps. It should be noted that not all of the resorts have the facilities for beginners, so it is worth doing some research first and checking out which area has what is needed for your particular level of expertise. Most of the gear can be hired when you arrive but it is a good idea to take along your own ski wear, which tends to be a bit looser than the outfits you see the professionals wear. Comfort is particularly important as you do not want to feel constricted when you jump.
Canada has become one of the world’s top destinations for winter sports and there are plenty of different resorts you can try, especially if you want to do some standard skiing and snowboarding while you are there. Cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal are not far away from some of the best resorts and their international airports welcome winter sports enthusiasts all the time.
In the resorts the accommodation is mainly luxury hotels and lodges, but if you want to stay outside the resort you can find plenty of other options including guest houses, hostels and self-catering accommodation, so finding something to suit the budget is easy. Canada’s winter holiday industry is one of the best and you are sure to have a holiday that you will remember forever.
