Big skis. Big jumps. Big thrills.
Well, can you think of a more spectacular way of spending your time than flinging yourself off a mountain at 60mph? No – neither could we.
If you want to get really extreme, them what about ski flying? Here, skiers jump anything from 160 to 185 metres – and the world record stands at 225 metres.
And if all that sounds a bit, well, bonkers – remember that beginners' jumps start at just five metres.
Ski jumping equipment
Well, we did say the skis were big – and they measure up at around 2.5 metres long and twice the width of normal skis.
Your boots are fixed at the toe only, leaving your heels free to lift off the skis. This makes for a sleek, aerodynamic position in mid-air, as well as allowing you to land in the telemark position. And that's vital if you want to score style points in competition.
Your suit? It's a baggy number – the opposite of sleek ski suits. The big idea? Your suit will fill with air, giving you that crucial last drop of extra lift.
Where to ski jump
You'll need to get out of the UK if you want to give ski jumping a go – try Scandinavia, the Alps and the States. Some resorts even have artificial surfaces for summer training.
Judging
You'll pick up points awarded for style and distance – there's a formula to combine your points to give an overall score.
Famous Names
One of the world's best known ski jumpers is Eddie the Eagle, who competed for Britain at the 1998 Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. Far from being successful, Eddie was known for lack of ability but was much admired for his courage.
In terms of successful ski jumpers, one of the most famous (and infamous) was Matti Nykaenen of Finland. He won the 1988 Olympics, but was banned from competition for alleged use of recreational drugs.
Find out more
For competition details, calendars and results, visit the International Ski Federation website.
