The Four Hills Tournament (Vierschanzentournee in German) is ski jumping's most prestigious annual event. Spanning New Year celebrations, this competition across four venues in Germany and Austria has crowned champions for over 70 years.
Origins
The tournament was founded in 1952, created as a German-Austrian collaboration to promote ski jumping. The first edition took place during the 1952-53 season, establishing what would become one of winter sports' most beloved traditions.
The format was revolutionary: four separate competitions whose results combined to determine an overall winner. Athletes couldn't afford a single bad day.
The Four Hills
Oberstdorf (Germany): The tournament begins in the Bavarian Alps. The Schattenbergschanze hosts the opening competition, setting the tone for the battles ahead.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany): The Große Olympiaschanze, site of the 1936 Games, hosts on New Year's Day. Athletes jump into the new year in one of skiing's most dramatic settings.
Innsbruck (Austria): The Bergiselschanze offers spectacular views over the Tyrolean capital. This modern architectural marvel has hosted generations of champions.
Bischofshofen (Austria): The Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze hosts the finale. Here, the overall champion is crowned as the tournament reaches its climax.
The Grand Slam
Winning all four competitions—the Grand Slam—is ski jumping's rarest achievement. Only Sven Hannawald (2001-02), Ryoyu Kobayashi (2018-19), and Kamil Stoch (2017-18) have accomplished this feat.
Legends of the Tournament
Janne Ahonen holds five overall titles. Ryoyu Kobayashi has dominated recent editions. Austrian legends like Thomas Morgenstern and Polish hero Kamil Stoch have written their names into tournament history.
German audiences are particularly passionate, with millions watching on television and tens of thousands attending each event.
Atmosphere
The tournament spans the holiday season, creating a unique festive atmosphere. The Garmisch event on New Year's Day attracts massive crowds celebrating both the competition and the new year.
Each hill has its own character and challenges, testing athletes' adaptability across different conditions and profiles.
Modern Champions
Athletes like Stefan Kraft, Halvor Egner Granerud, and Ryoyu Kobayashi continue fighting for Four Hills glory. The tournament remains ski jumping's ultimate multi-venue test.
The Golden Eagle
The overall winner receives the Golden Eagle trophy, one of the most recognizable prizes in winter sports. For ski jumpers, few achievements match winning the Four Hills.