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Nordic Jumps

 A total of six nordic jumps have been built at the Utah Olympic Oval  with a K10, K20, K40, K65, K90 and K120. The K90 and K120 do not refer to hill heights, but rather the average distance covered by jumpers – 90 meters and 120 meters, respectively, indicated by the K Point. For jumps shorter or longer than the K Point, points are subtracted or added during competitions.

 Plastic runways on the jumps and landing zones allow for summer jumping. Jumpers land on a synthetic surface that looks like green shingles. The in-run is designed with porcelain grooves that allow jumpers to shoot down the track even if the first snowflake is months away. Ski jumpers fly up to 55 miles per hour and cover distances as great as one and a half football fields. At 7,130 feet, the Park’s K90 and K120 are the highest-altitude world-class jumps on the planet. 

 The ski jumping facilities were constructed to minimize the impact on the environment and meet strict competition and safety guidelines. The North-facing placement of the K90 and K120 ski jumps prevents prevailing winds from blowing directly uphill, ensuring adequate snow cover on the jumps and reducing reliance on snowmaking equipment. The ski jump ramps were built into the mountainside to eliminate the need to erect massive skier runway ramps that would have protruded from the ridgeline and reshaped the mountain face.

 A 2.3 kilometer cross-country track was built in the summer of 2002 where the temporary Olympic spectator stands had been located. The loop allows nordic combined athletes to participate in cross-country skiing as well as ski jumping while on the Utah Olympic Park grounds.