Four Hills Tournament

The Four Hills Tournament is an annual ski jumping event held in Germany and Austria, spanning four World Cup competitions in Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, and Bischofshofen. Taking place from late December to early January, it gathers top ski jumpers who compete for the highest total points across all four hills.

• Held annually since 1953 in Germany and Austria
• Consists of four events: Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, Bischofshofen
• Unique knock-out qualifying system for competitors
• Overall winner is the jumper with the most points across all four hills
• Women's edition to debut in the 2026–27 season

What it is

The Four Hills Tournament is a celebrated fixture in the ski jumping world, uniting four major competitions into one prestigious series. Each winter, athletes and fans converge on the hills of Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, and Bischofshofen. The tournament is unique in that the overall winner is determined by the total points scored across all four events, making consistency and skill across venues essential. For many, it is a highlight of the winter sports calendar, blending fierce competition with the festive spirit of the season.

Where it comes from

First held in 1953, the Four Hills Tournament was created to bring together the best ski jumpers from Germany and Austria in a series of linked competitions. Over the decades, it has grown in prestige and tradition, with memorable moments such as Sven Hannawald's 'grand slam' in 2001–02, when he won all four events in a single edition. The tournament has adapted over time, introducing a knock-out qualifying system in the 1996–97 season and, from the 2026–27 season, adding a women's edition for the first time.

How it is celebrated

Each stage of the tournament is a major event in its host town, drawing crowds who brave the winter cold to cheer on the jumpers. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation as athletes launch themselves from the towering hills, aiming for perfect form and distance. The knock-out qualifying system adds drama, with head-to-head duels determining who advances. Local fans often come out in force, waving flags and celebrating their national jumpers, while visitors enjoy the festive winter setting, complete with food stalls and communal gatherings. The final event in Bischofshofen is especially lively, as the overall champion is crowned.

Joining in

Visitors can experience the Four Hills Tournament by attending any of the four events, each held in a scenic Alpine town. Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany, and Innsbruck and Bischofshofen in Austria, all offer a warm welcome to fans. Expect large crowds, lively celebrations, and the chance to witness world-class ski jumping up close. Dress warmly, arrive early for a good view, and soak in the unique blend of sporting excellence and winter festivity.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Four Hills Tournament, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Four Hills Tournament on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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