Holmenkollen

High in the forested hills above Oslo stands Holmenkollen, the iconic ski jump rebuilt into a soaring modern arm of steel, and beneath it the oldest ski museum in the world, tracing four thousand years of skiing. For a country that jokes it was born with skis on, it is a national shrine, with a view over the city from the jump tower.

What you actually see

• The ski jump - the great modern jump, with a viewpoint at the top of the tower.
• The ski museum - four thousand years of skiing, from ancient skis to polar expeditions.
• The city view - Oslo and the fjord spread out below the jump.
• The zip line and simulator - the jump-tower zip line and ski simulator for the brave.

When to go

Year-round; the museum and tower are open in all seasons, with ski competitions filling the arena in late winter. A clear day gives the best view over Oslo.

Honest expectations

Outside competition days the jump is a monument and viewpoint rather than an event, so the thrill is the tower view and the museum. The metro ride up is part of the outing. It is a landmark and museum visit rather than a place to watch jumping unless you time a competition.

Nearby

The Nordmarka forest for skiing and walking spreads behind; central Oslo is down the metro line.