The new reality show, The Jump, sees celebs try a whole host of adrenalin-fuelled wintersports in Kühtai, Austria.
Taking inspiration from last year’s Winter Olympics, The Jump showcases eight disciplines including ski cross (see video below – most exciting FIS event), giant slalom, skeleton and ski jumping – all performed by 16 famous faces who are competing to be crowned snow king or queen.
Brave contestants include Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson, former England cricketer Phil Tufnell and Joey Essex from TOWIE … or our favourite, Mike Tindall.
If you’re feeling inspired by the celeb efforts on the show, why don’t you give these challenging winter sports a go?
Here’s our summary of the most exciting and where you can try them for yourself on the slopes of Austria.
Bobsleigh
Fear factor: 3/5
Crammed into a steel pod only 3.8m in length in teams of two or four, participants make timed runs down a 1.5km narrow, twisting, iced track in a gravity-powered sled – reaching speeds of more than 80mph. Tantalisingly terrifying, but extremely fun.
Try it: Based near Innsbruck, Austria, at the kilometre-long Olympic bobsleigh track, you can learn to navigate a two-man bobsleigh through the track’s 14 bends: Olympiaworld Innsbruck (+43 512 377160 from €95 / £71).
Ski jumping
Fear factor: 4/5
Definitely not one for the faint hearted. Beginners should start with jumps of 10m and reach 20m after a day’s tuition.
However, whatever the size of the hill, it takes an extraordinary amount of courage to race down the icy runway on extra-long 2.4m skis and take that leap of faith – especially with the near-vertical ramp to start you off.
Try it: Towering high above Innsbruck on the wooded Bergisel Hill, the Bergisel Ski Jump offers the perfect opportunity to give ski jumping a go.
Skeleton
Fear factor: 5/5
Face down on a small sled just inches from the ice, participants hurtle down a frozen track reaching speeds of more than 90mph – with no brakes. Of all the Olympic adrenalin-fuelled sports, this has to be the scariest.
Tri it: Momentum Ski (020 7371 9111) offers a two-day Skeleton Experience with Amy Williams in Innsbruck, Austria, including a full track day with Amy, a passenger bobsleigh ride, two nights b&b accommodation, transfers and two dinners with wine from £1,500 per person.
Downhill and giant slalom
Fear factor: 3/5
In giant slalom, brave participants negotiate a series of widely spaced gates on a rock-hard piste at high speed. Downhill takes the game to a whole new level. It has only a few control gates and is over a much longer and steeper course. Plus, the surface is injected with water to make it icier.
Both disciplines require varying combinations of technique and bottle. You won’t learn either overnight – and downhill training is extremely difficult to acquire because it involves a whole section of the mountain being fenced off and closed to the public.
Try it: Snoworks (0844 543 0503) runs racing courses in Austria under the direction of expert instructor Phil Smith and Emma Carrick-Anderson.
Kühtai need-to-know facts:
Kühtai is situated at an altitude of 2,020 metres making it the highest winter sports resort in Austria;
It’s 35 minutes from the region’s capital Innsbruck and its airport;
Due to its almost guaranteed snow record, this season Kühtai has already hosted the first event of the Luge World Cup (Natural Track), an International Paralympic Committee World Cup race as well as two women’s World Cup ski races in Giant Slalom and Slalom;
EU and non EU buyers can now own a property in Kühtai thanks to the new Kristall Spaces 2020 Residences right in the middle of the resort with doorstep skiing.
