Tahoe City

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Olympic Hill (Granlibakken):

K-Point:	60 m
Longest jump:	66.5 m (Sigurd Ulland , 1931)
Hill record:	64.0 m (210 ft) (Alf Engen , 1931)

Further jumps:	K25
Plastic matting:	no
Year of construction:	1930
Status:	destroyed
Ski club:	Lake Tahoe Ski Club
Coordinates:	39.154594, -120.158513 ✔

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History:

Granlibakken, located on the western shore of Lake Tahoe, has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. The name "Granlibakken" means "a hillside sheltered by fir trees" in Norwegian, perfectly reflecting the picturesque nature of the area. Over time, it became a key location on the winter sports map of the region, particularly in ski jumping.
It all began in the 1920s, when local skiing enthusiasts utilized the natural slopes of the Granlibakken Valley, then known as "Snow Canyon." In 1928, D.L. Bliss built a toboggan slide there for guests of the nearby Tahoe Tavern. The area soon gained popularity as "Olympic Hill," and ski jumping became one of its main attractions.
A breakthrough moment came with the arrival of Norwegian ski jumpers, including seven-time national champion Lars Haugen, who showcased their skills across the western United States. Haugen, impressed by the natural terrain, designed a 60-meter ski jump at Olympic Hill. Its construction took two years and cost $10,000. In 1931, the hill hosted qualifications for skiers from California and Nevada vying for spots on the Olympic team for the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. That same year, the United States Ski Jumping Championships were also held at Olympic Hill. During these events, Alf Engen set a hill record with a jump of 210 feet (64 m). Sig Ulland jumped 218 feet (66.5 m) but fell upon landing. First place, however, went to Sig Vettestad of the Auburn Ski Club, who became California's first ski jumping champion. In February 1932, the hill hosted another United States Ski Jumping Championship, organized by the Lake Tahoe Area Ski Council. Throughout the 1930s, Olympic Hill regularly hosted ski jumping competitions and exhibitions, including the California State Championships in 1936 and National Ski Association events in 1939. After World War II, Granlibakken developed as a ski resort thanks to Kjell "Rusty" Rustad, a Norwegian sea captain and former ski jumper. Inspired by the landscape reminiscent of his homeland, Rustad built a new ski jump and ski slope. His efforts made the area accessible to Tahoe City residents and tourists. In 1952, with the help of the Lake Tahoe Ski Club, a smaller ski jump was built alongside the main slope, attracting both amateur and professional jumpers.
For decades, Granlibakken symbolized the pioneering spirit of winter sports, a place of competitions and community that became an integral part of ski history in the United States.
Today, the former ski jump site is home to a ramp for freestyle aerials.

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Tahoe City

Data | History | Hill records | Competitions | Contact | Map | Photo gallery | Comments

Olympic Hill (Granlibakken):

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Lake Tahoe Ski Club P.O. Box 435 96145 Tahoe City Phone: 530-581-0260 www.laketahoeskiclub.com
Granlibakken Resort 725 Granlibakken Road 96145 Tahoe City Phone: 530-583-4242 Fax: 530-583-7641 www.granlibakken.com