Nansen Ski Jump, Milan NH


• 4-star hike
• 1 mile out-and-back
• Moderate | Gain 160 feet
• Milan, NH | Great North Woods
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A towering ski jump structure made of exposed metal beams rises from a grassy clearing surrounded by trees. The jump features a steep, narrow incline leading to a sharply curved launch ramp at the top, designed to propel skiers into the air. The entire structure is elevated on a skeletal framework, with visible supports and crossbars that emphasize its height and engineering. The surrounding terrain is natural, with green grass and leafy trees under a clear blue sky, suggesting a calm, sunny day.
The inactive 1936 ski jump is still well cared for.

Situated between the northern New Hampshire towns of Milan and Berlin, and standing 172 feet tall, the Nansen Ski Jump was regarded as one of the largest of its era. Eventually closed in 1988, the site hosted many championship ski jumping competitions, including the first Olympic Ski Jump Trials.

Thanks to the Nansen Ski Club, the structure has been restored and improved. The club has a goal of restoring the ski jump to modern standards, but in the interim, they still hold competitions on the site with a new, smaller ski jump adjacent to the historic giant. If you'd like to contribute to the efforts of the club, we've included a link to their website at the foot of this article.
⬤ 4★ Nansen Ski Jump Route   0.8 mi out & back, moderate, gain 160 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
 P  Free parking

Most visitors who come to the Nansen Ski Jump today do so from the side of NH Route 16, from which the structure and maintained ski hill are clearly visible. The dirt service road that leads up to the ski jump is commonly gated off, but thanks to efforts from the town of Milan, a short but varied hillside forest hiking route links pedestrians to the service road and the foot of the ski jump.

The marked trailhead can be found at the south end of the ski jump observation area, and winds uphill on a primitive single-track trail. We rate this trail as moderate due to a brief steep section that should be considered carefully, especially on the return down the hill.

A vertically split image shows two contrasting forest environments. On the left, tall, straight coniferous trees rise from a forest floor blanketed in dry pine needles. The space between trees is wide and open, with minimal underbrush, and soft sunlight filters through the canopy, casting long, angled shadows that create a calm, spacious atmosphere. On the right, a narrow forest path winds through dense greenery, flanked by ferns, shrubs, and leafy undergrowth. The trail is partially illuminated by dappled sunlight breaking through the thick canopy above, giving the scene a vibrant, enclosed feel.
A brief but charming hillside forest trail.

Visiting the ski jump is worthwhile not only to inspect the structure up close, but also to appreciate the distant mountain views eastward into Maine, where peaks like Goose Eye Mountain dominate. A warning sign fixed to the rickety steps that lead to the jump's launch point requests that visitors stay off the hills and jumps, suggesting that unauthorized use can create hazardous conditions and unnecessary repair work.

Trailhead signs also map and describe the option to explore the Androscoggin View Trail as part of the Town of Milan Community Forest. This 1.4 mile loop trail is located uphill to the west of the ski jump, beyond a utility corridor, but unfortunately we can't recommend it to hikers. We found the route to be overgrown and unsuitable for foot traffic and assume it's designed with other modes of travel in mind, such as cross-country skiing or snowmobiling.

A scenic landscape features a gently curving road in the foreground, bordered by grassy terrain and scattered trees. The road winds through a natural setting, leading toward a vast forest of densely packed green trees that stretch across the middle ground. In the distance, a range of blue-gray mountains spans the horizon beneath a bright sky dotted with soft, scattered clouds. A few small buildings are nestled among the trees, partially obscured by foliage, adding subtle human presence to the otherwise natural scene.
Descending ski jumpers likely didn't have time to admire this view.

A historical marker for the Nansen Ski Jump stands in a grassy outdoor area, with the ski jump structure visible in the background on a wooded hillside. The sign is mounted on two posts and provides detailed information about the ski jump’s origins, naming it after explorer Fridtjof Nansen. It notes that Berlin’s first ski club was formed in 1872, and the jump was built between 1936 and 1938 by the National Youth Administration and the City of Berlin. The jump, once the tallest steel-tower ski jump in the world at 171 feet, hosted Olympic trials in 1938 and national championships in 1940, 1957, 1965, and 1972. Behind the sign, the steep ski jump rises dramatically from the hill, with a tower at its peak and a stream or waterfall running alongside it. The area is enclosed by a wooden fence and surrounded by trees, under a clear blue sky that suggests a bright, sunny day.
A motorists-eye view of the ski jump site.

A large ski jump structure made of metal and wood rises steeply against a clear blue sky. The jump features a long, angled ramp supported by a network of exposed metal beams, with a wooden platform perched at the top for takeoff. The incline is designed to allow ski jumpers to build speed before launching into the air. Surrounding the structure are grassy areas and clusters of trees, suggesting a forested or mountainous outdoor location. The bright sunlight and cloudless sky highlight the contrast between the engineered form of the ski jump and the natural landscape around it.
Climbing the structure is discouraged.

A steep ski jump ramp is viewed from the base, looking upward toward a narrow platform at the top. The structure is made of wood and metal, with wooden railings lining both sides of the incline. The ramp is elevated above the ground, supported by a visible framework of beams and braces beneath it. The angle of the shot emphasizes the dramatic height and steepness of the jump, conveying a sense of challenge and anticipation. Surrounding the structure are leafy trees and patches of grass, with a bright blue sky and scattered clouds overhead, suggesting a clear day in a natural, outdoor setting.
The timbers look great after a recent refurbishment.

Tangents:
• Trailspotting 3D: Nansen Ski Jump, More
• External Links: Nansen Ski Club, NH State Parks
• YouTube: 1939 Documentary
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us


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