Ski Jumping - Utah Olympic Park It lasts less than 30 seconds, but the flight is breathtaking. Ski jumpers launch themselves from hills 90 and 120 meters high. Legendary Norwegian Nordic athlete Sondre Nordheim is credited with the first officially measured ski jump in 1860. The first ski jumping contest was held in Trysil, Norway, in 1862. The sport was brought to the United States by Norwegian emigrants, and the first ski jumping meet in the U.S took place Feb. 8, 1887. Norwegian emigrant Mikkel Hemmestvedt won it. Ski jumping has been contested at every Olympic Winter Games. The individual large-hill competition was contested at the first Winter Games in Chamonix and has been contested at every Games since. The individual normal-hill competition was added at the 1964 Innsbruck Games. The team large-hill competition was added at the 1988 Calgary Games. Back to top