Großschanzen

Großschanzen is the German term for large ski jumping hills used in the sport of ski jumping. They are designed to accommodate longer jumps and higher speeds than smaller hills, and they host international and national competitions as well as training facilities. In ski jumping, Großschanzen are typically classified by two technical parameters: the K-point, which marks a reference point on the landing area, and the hill size (HS), which describes the overall length and profile of the hill. Large hills often have a K-point around 90 to 125 meters and an HS value that reflects a correspondingly extended landing area.

The construction of Großschanzen includes an inrun, a takeoff table, a landing slope, and an outrun. Modern venues employ steel or concrete structures, wind nets or cages, and sometimes artificial turf or plastic mats to enable year-round training. Snowmaking and temperature control facilities support consistent jumping conditions. Safety features, including barriers and netting, are integral.

Historically, the expansion of ski jumping led to the development of large hills to accommodate elite competition. Standards set by international bodies have standardized hill measurement and safety requirements to ensure comparable competition across venues.

In many German-speaking regions and neighboring Alpine countries, Großschanzen form the centerpiece of winter sport complexes and serve as regular hosts for World Cup events, national championships, and youth development programs. They stand alongside normal hills and ski-flying venues as a key component of the sport’s infrastructure.