Holmenkollen Ski Jump

The Holmenkollen hill plays a significant part identifying Oslo. In the Oslo panorama its characteristic profile is a clear icon, up close its majestic steepness rises towards the sky, making heads tilt and from the top, the panorama view towards the fjord are fantastic. It is a building beyond conventions, and it is no wonder that it is one of Oslo’s most visited tourist attractions. To create a new slope on the soil of the old requires full awareness of its traditions.

The new Holmenkollen Beacon is extending tradition… to the sky! In emphasizing the existing landmark's values, it strives to keep the fine balance between majestic and simple, while introducing contemporary materials and design. Conceptually the project works with three stages of visibility: the far-away panorama, the close-up at the foot of the slope and the view outward from the top. The shape of the silhouette is emphasized with a sharp and simply cut. The given wind protection profile is utilized and offset in a parallel manner downward, creating a smooth bended rectangle hosting the slope, the main elevators and the top in-run program. The top is then sliced horizontally to accommodate a viewing platform. The Knoll building is moved further up the hill to serve as an anchor point for the structure, letting it cantilever and avoid visually disruptive structural supports. From a distance the structure will appear as a milky-white sharp profile extending further into the sky with a diffused beam of light; a beacon for Oslo.

Airbnb, the world’s leading communitydriven hospitality company, today announced that one of the world’s most famous ski jumps, Holmenkollen in Norway, is now listed on Airbnb for a special once in a lifetime stay. For two nights at the end of March, the very top of Holmenkollen, where the ski jumpers prepare for flight before their jump, will be transformed into a glasswalled penthouse apartment with private rooftop terrace. The temporary Airbnb listing will be decorated with Nordic contemporary design and will boast some of the best views of Oslo, including the fjord and the snowcapped mountains surrounding the capital. The next morning, guests can check out via zipline.

“This is a wonderfully quirky idea coming to life, and a perfect way to round off the ski jump season after the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup,” said Jeanette Hansen, operations manager at Holmenkollen. “This is a great way to showcase one of the top tourist destinations in Norway to a world of travelers, and we can’t wait to welcome the guests to arguably the penthouse with the best view of our city.”

“Airbnb is all about unique accommodations, and to us the Holmenkollen ski jump is the most spectacular place to spend the night in all of Norway,” said Even Heggernes, Airbnb country manager for the Nordics. “We can’t wait to welcome guests to one of the most incredible listings on Airbnb."

The stay will include access to lots of fun in the snow. Grab a pair of cross country skis and enjoy 2,600 kilometres of fresh tracks right on your doorstep. Or hit the Oslo Vinterpark ski resort and Norway's most intense toboggan run, 'The Corkscrew', just around the corner. Instead of a skijumping checkout like the pros usually do, it will be possible to zipline out over the jump after breakfast in the VIP lounge.

There are a few house rules to be mindful of, if you think of staying: ● Only pros are allowed to use the ski jump so don't think you're going to be pulling any tricks on your toboggan. ● Spandex outfits are encouraged, but not mandatory. ● No smoking. Top athletes have to breathe this air too. ● Although previous events saw 120,000 people packed in and around the jump, only 1 additional guest is allowed in the apartment. ● The stay will not be commentated on, and no stylepoints will be issued. ● There are no neighbors. So if you feel like walking around in your tighty whities, be our guests.

Holmenkollen arena hosted the 1952 Winter Olympics, and will be hosting the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup on the 14th and 15th of March, including both ski jump and cross country disciplines. The official hill record was set on 5 March 2011 by Austrian Andreas Kofler, who jumped 141 meters.

Holmenkollen underwent a dramatic transformation in preparation for the 2011 World Championships. The rebuilding was spearheaded by Belgian/Danish architect Julien de Smedt and was completed in 2011. To match the interior decoration to the sleek new design of the building Airbnb approached interior designer and Airbnb host for the past 4 years, Melissa Hegge .

“The view takes my breath away. This is the perfect place to showcase Norwegian design” says Melissa Hegge. Hegge has decorated the temporary penthouse with contemporary pieces from established and upcoming Norwegian designers such as the Saddle Chair, the Vang dining chair and the table lamp Lune. She also found space for a picture from 1922 of the Norwegian Crown Prince Olav jumping off Holmenkollen.