Turn your Ski Holiday into The Jump - If you Dare?

It doesn't look so easy from up here.

If you have watched The Jump on Channel 4 then you will be familiar with the 'celebrities' who try their hand at a number of snow sports culminating in ski jumping. This year's show has been keeping the Austrian medical system busy and whilst nobody wants to see an Olympic hero get hurt, let's be honest, it's good value watching the reality stars come a cropper. But if you are thinking, 'I quite fancy a go at that', then this is how.

Kühtai: Ideal for people who like snow 

If you want to visit the scene of the action, then you can just visit Kühtai in Austria where The Jump is filmed. Good, high slopes close to Innsbruck make this a good late season choice. Once the cameras have gone, that is. Resort access is via a 45 minute transfer from Innsbruck which is served by British Airways, Monarch and EasyJet.

Ski Cross: Whose line is it anyway?

If you are ready to take your skiing or boarding to the next level then there are race training clinics in most resorts run by the ski schools. The top rated Warren Smith Academy runs race clinics in Switzerland's Verbier whilst the French ESF run Ski and Boarder cross courses in France's Val Thorens if you are up for the challenge!

Skeleton: Who's idea was this?

Not challenging enough? How about the Skeleton Bob which sounds like it's an extreme diet and looks like it was invented as a way of getting home from the pub. If descending an ice track at 70kph on a tray appeals, head to Lillehammer in Norway, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics. For 990 Krone (that's about £100) you get to ride the Skeleton track twice - because once would never be enough would it? There are five nearby ski resorts once you have had your adrenaline fix. Lillehammer is a 2h transfer from Oslo (Gardermoen) which is served by British Airways, Norwegian and SAS from the UK.

Jamaica: Cool Running in the Bob

All good and well you say, but is there a faster way to go down the ice? There is indeed in the form of the Bobsleigh. Head to La Plagne in France for a ride down in a racing Bob. For 122 Euros, you can hurtle down the ice at up to 120kph. It will be filmed as well so you can relive the terror long after your bank account has recovered. For the lightweights, there is also a slower 80kph Bob raft experience for 44 Euros.

La Plagne is offered by all major Tour Operators and has one of the largest ski areas in the world combined with 
Les Arcs. Fly to Geneva with EasyJet, Monarch or 
British Airways and its a 2h30m transfer. 
Alternatively take the direct Eurostar from London.

Saalfelden: Jumping is restricted to those over 6 years old

Finally, to the actual ski jumping. The Austrian town of Saalfelden specialises in jumping. It has four jumps at 15m, 30m, 60m and 85m height. There is an age limit for lessons - you must be at least 6! So not only can you wallow in your own terror, you can be out jumped by small Austrian children who will no doubt find your attempts hilarious.

Ski Jumping: You say Jump, I say How High?

The specialist Skisprungschule offers two day courses for 240 Euros. Courses run throughout the winter and somehow in the summer as well - that could be more painful I suspect. How high do you Jump in your lesson? I guess that's up to you. 

Saalfelden is linked to the newly expanded Saalbach-Hinterglemm region, one of Austria's largest with a fast lift network  Transfer time is 1h40m from Salzburg. Fly there with EasyJet, Ryanair or Norwegian.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are interested in trying any of the activities covered here, please check your travel insurance carefully before taking part as it is unlikely extreme sports will be covered and you may need an additional activity specific policy. Medical care in the mountains is very expensive. 

With fantastic snow conditions across Europe there is plenty of time left this season with availability up to Easter. Contact me for a tailor made package to visit any of these locations. Or anywhere else for that matter. 

For further inspiration, please visit my Website and Facebook page and follow me on Twitter.

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Remember, you've got to get up to get down!

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel (ABTA L3832)
19 February 2016