No.3: Planica

Planica valley, also known as dolina pod Poncami

Planica is the most western valley in the northwest part of Julian Alps. It’s also known as the valley under Ponce or the valley of ski jumps. It has a mountain climate with long, cold and snowy winters. The nearest town is Rateče, just 3 kilometers away from the triple border of Austria-Italy-Slovenia.

Planica got its first ski jump before 1930 and it wasn't long before ideas of a larger object were introduced, even one that would be up to official FIS standards.

Stanko Bloudek gave the idea to build a larger ski jump hill, suitable for record distances. They started to jump from the highest inrun ramp and Birger Ruud set a record with 92 meters, making Planica worldwide famous. Later constructor of the first large hill ski jump added another innovation - snow cement.

sky jumps in Planica

FIS soon prevented long distance jumps because they already outgrew into ski flying. In the meantime Planica fell far behind Kulm and Oberstdorf in distance records. The terrain didn't allow more enlargements on the ski jump so organizers started to think about building a new large hill ski jump which would reinstate the glory of Planica.

Brothers Gorišek made designs for a ski flying hill also known as the Giant. First competition on the Giant took place in March 19, 1969. It was a historical event because of 90.000 spectators in three days and five world records accomplished by Wirkola (156 m, 160 m), Raska (156 m, 164 m) and Manfred Wolf (165 m).

New records on the Giant (which was adjusted and enlarged a few times) continued. Gorišek brothers prepared the ski flying hill for jumps longer than 200 meters. First jump longer than 200 m happened In March 1994 when Planica hosted 13th World Championship. It was jump by Finn Toni Nieminen with 203 meters and Norwegian Espen Bredesen with 209 meters.

Current world record is held by Norwegian Bjoern Einar Romoeren - 239 m set in 2005.