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SIZE DOES MATTER! - THE “BIG HILL” AT MOUNT REVELSTOKE NATIONAL PARK
From 1915 to 1974, annual ski jumping competitions were held on Mount Revelstoke at the Nels Nelsen Historic Ski JumpCourtesy of the Revelstoke Museum & Archives.
Carrying long, hand-carved wooden skis across his shoulders and putting one leather boot firmly above the other, a determined new Canadian named Nels Nelsen would make his way up the steep slopes of the “Big Hill” — a natural ski jump at Mount Revelstoke where fearless skiers launched themselves in flight. World ski jumping records were set here between 1916 and 1933, many by Nelsen. It was a time when high-flying international competitions attracted hordes of skiers from all over the world.
Nelsen, a 21-year-old from Norway, had already established himself as a driving force in the local ski community, organizing Revelstoke’s first winter carnival and ski tournament. As a prelude to Olympic ski jumping, Nelsen set a world amateur record with a 68.3-meter leap in 1925. By comparison, today’s jumpers reach distances of 110 metres and more.
Ski jumping was a popular Canadian winter sport and Revelstoke’s 600-metre jump attracted thousands of spectators for the impressive competitions. The longest and steepest in Canada, this jump was internationally recognized as the best natural jumping hill in North America, and the equal of any in the world. Unlike other jumping locations, women participated regularly in events at Revelstoke. “Glider girls” went off the jump holding hands with a male partner. In 1922, 17-year-old Isabel Coursier set a record as the only woman to compete unassisted. Coursier later competed across North America, breaking new ground for women's sport.
August wildflowers bursting into brilliant bloom on the summit of Mt. Revelstoke inspired creation of Mount Revelstoke National Park in 1914 and the scenic terrain surrounding Nels Nelsen Historic Area at the base of Mount Revelstoke welcomes visitors. The park protects inland temperate rainforests and spectacular skybound alpine meadows. The Revelstoke area remains a recreational paradise of hiking, cross-country ski, and backcountry ski touring trails. The old judges' tower is a prominent local landmark.