Sign In for Memberships, Programs, ClassesSki Jumping
A Year-Round Activity
Ski jumping is a year-round sport at Blackhawk and our facilities are some of the best in the nation. All of Blackhawk’s ski jumps have plastic mats and steel track for training in the non-snow months. Blackhawk’s smaller jumps (5, 15, and 30 meter) also have a rope tow that is used throughout the year to dramatically increase the number of jumps a jumper can get during a practice session.
Success in the Past and Present
Blackhawk has a long and proud past in ski jumping. The club was founded in 1947 by a group of ski jumpers. Blackhawk added snowmaking equipment and was the first ski jumping club in the Western hemisphere to successfully install plastic mats for year-round training. Three of Blackhawk’s ski jumpers have participated in the Olympics: Dave Norby (1968), Bill Bakke (1968) and Kurt Stein (1992 and 1994). Blackhawk has produced numerous national champions including Werner Schorr, Kurt Stein, and Will Schott (2006).
Success in the ski jumping program comes from having access to top-level facilities and highly trained coaches. Blackhawk is fortunate to have excellent coaching direction led by Kip Kopelke, member of the 1997 United States Ski Jumping Team, and assistance from former Olympians Kurt Stein and Dave Norby. Two ski jumpers whom Kip has coached, Nick and Will Schott, help out with teaching the younger ski jumpers. Additionally, Kip has volunteer help from Ted Shultz who participated in high school ski jumping in New Hampshire and Don Wylie who helps with Blackhawk’s ski patrol and ski instruction.
In 2006 under the watchful eye of Kip Kopelke, Will Schott won the Individual Championship in the National Junior Olympics for ski jumping held in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Also, Nick Schott jumped so well that he moved into the number four spot on the Central Team, was named most improved ski jumper in the Central Division and placed 12th at Junior Olympics in New Hampshire. Additionally, both Nick and Will competed on the Central A Team which won third place in the team competition at the Junior Olympics.
Learn Ski Jumping
Blackhawk members can try out ski jumping during regular practices on Tuesday and Thursday nights beginning at 6:15 p.m. by the small ski jumps. Blackhawk has a 5, 15, 30 and 60 meter ski jumps. Skiers who can easily ski down Hill #2, usually kids ages five and older, are welcome to try ski jumping. Beginner ski jumpers go down the landing hill of the smallest jumps until they feel confident. When they feel comfortable, they can go off of the smallest jump with their alpine skis. As ski jumpers progress from alpine skis to ski jumping skis, they can rent ski jumping skis for a modest fee. Helmets are required at all times. There is a small supply of helmets for use until skiers can obtain their own.
Ski jumps are designed for the jumper to fly and land safely with the hill. This is an individual sport that stresses good sportsmanship and encourages kids to improve their personal records. Ski jumpers come in all body sizes. Ski jumping is a great sport for families with kids of all ages. Everyone can come together and practice at the same time. A typical practice session lasts about an hour and a half and includes playing soccer (non-snow months), stretching, imitation jumping, jumping and reviewing video tapes.
As ski jumpers progress they can choose to travel to other ski jumping clubs in the Central Region (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois) and attend training camps or competitions. Many of Blackhawk’s ski jumpers like to participate in the Badger State Games each winter.
Online Video and Photo Albums
We have online video of the jumping programs:
Blackhawk Ski Jumping Photo Album (on Picasa - this will take you to a new site)
For more information
For more information about Blackhawk ski jumping, contact CC Sheldon and Rand Schott via email at:
General information about the sport can be found at www.centralskijumping.com or www.skijumpingcentral.com
Tournaments/Camps
- Women's Development Summer Camp, June 18-22, 2008 at Blackhawk
- Download the Camp Invitation
