Bergisel Ski Jump

The Bergiselschanze, or Bergisel Ski Jump, is a remarkable structure that stands on the Bergisel hill in Innsbruck, Austria. It is not only a venue for world-class ski jumping competitions, but also a masterpiece of modern architecture designed by Zaha Hadid. The ski jump has a long and fascinating history that spans almost a century, witnessing triumphs and tragedies, innovations and transformations, and cultural and political events.

The Early Years: 1927-1953

The first ski jumping competition at Bergisel took place on January 23, 1927, on a natural hill that had been used for winter sports since the 19th century. One year later, construction began on an inrun tower that would allow jumpers to reach greater heights and distances. The ski jump underwent a complete reconstruction in 1933 in preparation for the Nordic World Ski Championships, which were held in Innsbruck for the first time.

However, the ski jump also witnessed a tragic event in 1941, when the inrun tower collapsed during a youth football tournament. Four people died and several others were injured as a result of the accident. The plant was completely destroyed and remained in ruins until after the Second World War. The ski jump was rebuilt in 1948 based on the original plans from 1930.

In 1952, the Four Hills Tournament, one of the most prestigious ski jumping events in the world, was established. The Bergisel hill became one of the four venues for the tournament, along with Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Bischofshofen. The first Four Hills Tournament at Bergisel was held on January 3, 1953, and has been held every year since then.

The Olympic Era: 1964-1988

The ski jump was rebuilt and expanded for the Olympic Winter Games, which were hosted by Innsbruck in 1964 and 1976. The new ski jump had a larger inrun tower, a longer landing hill, and a capacity for 40,000 spectators. The ski jump also hosted the Nordic World Ski Championships in 1985, along with Seefeld, another winter sports resort near Innsbruck.

The ski jump was not only a stage for sports, but also for culture and politics. In June 1987, renowned jazz trumpeter Miles Davis and guitarist John McLaughlin performed a concert at the venue as part of the “Woodstock am Bergisel” event, which attracted thousands of music fans. In June 1988, Pope John Paul II visited the complex and conducted a mass with approximately 60,000 believers in attendance. The pope blessed the ski jump and the city of Innsbruck, calling it a “city of peace”.

The Zaha Hadid Design: 1999-2003

The ski jump faced another tragedy in 1999, when five young women were killed during a mass panic that occurred among the 40,000 visitors attending the Air & Style snowboarding competition. The panic ensued when a barrier at the exit broke, causing a stampede. A total of 39 people were injured, some of them seriously. The incident shocked the nation and raised questions about the safety and suitability of the ski jump for such events.

In the same year, the city of Innsbruck initiated an international expert procedure to solicit bids for the conversion of the facility and the ski jump. Six architects, both domestic and foreign, were invited to present their concepts for the conversion. Zaha Hadid, the renowned architect from London, was awarded the contract. Hadid, who had previously designed the Hungerburgbahn, a funicular railway in Innsbruck, proposed a radical and futuristic design that would transform the ski jump into a landmark of the city.

In 2002, for the 50th Four Hills Tournament, the old ski jump was demolished and replaced by Hadid’s design. The new ski jump featured a sleek and curved inrun tower that contrasted with the angular and rigid landing hill. The tower also housed a restaurant and a viewing platform, both of which could be accessed for a fee, except during sporting events. Visitors could reach these attractions using an inclined elevator that ran along the tower. The ski jump and facility construction was completed in 2003, with a total cost of 12 million euros. The architect was awarded the Austrian State Prize for Architecture in 2002 for the construction of the building.

Today, it is widely recognized as one of Austria’s most significant sports buildings from an architectural standpoint. With its organic and deconstructed snake-like shape, the structure effectively embodies the essence of the city as a symbol. It goes beyond being a mere technical construction and presents a remarkably distinct image from every angle.

The Recent Events: 2005-2012

The ski jump continued to host major ski jumping events, such as the Universiade in 2005, the Nordic World Ski Championships in 2011, and the Four Hills Tournament every year. However, some of these events were affected by inclement weather, such as strong winds and heavy snowfall, which forced the cancellation or postponement of some competitions. To improve the conditions for the jumpers and the spectators, the facility was upgraded in 2008 with the addition of a wind net, which cost 100,000 euros. The wind net reduced the wind speed and turbulence on the inrun and the landing hill, making the ski jump safer and more consistent.

In 2008, Air & Style made a comeback at the Schanze, after a nine-year hiatus following the 1999 tragedy. The snowboarding event attracted a large crowd of fans and featured some of the best riders in the world. That same year, the Bergisel Stadium was also used for the European Football Championship, featuring a fan zone and public viewing area. Approximately 1,500 spectators gathered to watch the Euro games on an 80 m² video screen. At Euro 2008, several notable artists performed in concert, including bands like Juli and Revolverheld, as well as the reggae musician Gentleman, among many others.

The stadium officially opened the first Winter Youth Olympic Games on January 13, 2012, with a spectacular ceremony that included fireworks, music, and dance. The ski jump hosted the ski jumping and Nordic combined events for the young athletes, who competed in front of enthusiastic crowds. The ski jump also served as a backdrop for the Olympic flame, which burned on the top of the tower throughout the games.

Innsbruck, Austria