Ōkurayama Ski Jump

Ōkurayama Ski Jump. It is a large ski jumping hill located in the Miyanomori area of Sapporo, Hokkaido. Constructed for the 1972 Winter Olympics, it remains one of Japan's most iconic winter sports venues. The hill has since hosted numerous world-class competitions, including the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2007, and is a regular stop on the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup circuit.

History

The construction of the hill was a central project for the 1972 Winter Olympics, which were the first Winter Olympic Games to be held in Asia. Following the success of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the Japanese Olympic Committee sought to establish Japan as a major winter sports nation. The venue was built on the slopes of Mount Okura and saw its first major use during the Olympic ski jumping events. In the decades after the Olympic Games, the facility underwent several renovations to meet modern standards, most significantly in preparation for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2007. This renovation, which included the installation of a plastic in-run for summer training, ensured its continued relevance in international competition.

Facilities and specifications

The hill is classified as a K-123 (large hill) under FIS regulations, with a critical point of 123 meters. Its construction features a steep in-run and a large landing slope, designed to allow for jumps exceeding 140 meters. The venue complex includes the main jump tower, a judges' tower, and spectator stands capable of accommodating thousands. A key feature is the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum, located at the base of the jump tower, which chronicles the history of the 1972 Winter Olympics and ski jumping in Japan. The hill is also equipped with a plastic matting surface on the in-run, allowing for year-round training and competitions like the FIS Summer Grand Prix.

Major events

Its premier event was hosting the ski jumping and Nordic combined jumping competitions during the 1972 Winter Olympics. It later served as a key venue for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2007, where it hosted the individual large hill and team events. The hill is a traditional and popular annual stop on the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup tour, typically hosting competitions in January or February. It has also been a frequent site for Japanese National Ski Jumping Championships and events in the Continental Cup series. The venue's ability to host summer events was demonstrated when it held competitions for the FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix.

Notable performances

At the 1972 Winter Olympics, Yukio Kasaya of Japan won the gold medal on the normal hill at Miyanomori Ski Jump, while his teammate Akitsugu Konno took silver on the large hill here, cementing a historic moment for Japanese ski jumping. In World Cup competition, legends like Matti Nykänen of Finland and Adam Małysz of Poland have achieved victories. More recently, Ryōyū Kobayashi, part of Japan's new generation of jumpers, has won multiple FIS Ski Jumping World Cup events at this venue. The current hill record of 148.5 meters is held by Kamil Stoch of Poland, set during a World Cup event in 2023.

Cultural significance

The jump is a symbol of Sapporo's identity as an Olympic city and a global winter sports destination. Its distinctive silhouette against the backdrop of the city is a famous landmark, often featured in tourism promotions for Hokkaido. The venue plays a crucial role in fostering ski jumping talent in Japan, serving as a home hill and inspiration for athletes from Noriaki Kasai to Ryōyū Kobayashi. It is deeply integrated into the local community, with the adjacent museum and public viewing areas making it a popular cultural and educational site. The hill's continued use for elite competition ensures the legacy of the 1972 Winter Olympics remains a living part of Japan's sporting culture.

Category:Ski jumping hills in Japan Category:1972 Winter Olympics venues Category:Sports venues in Sapporo Category:Buildings and structures in Hokkaido