Near Milan in Coos County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

The Nansen Ski Jump

Photographed by Kevin Craft, August 26, 2015

1. The Nansen Ski Jump Marker

Inscription.
Named for Fridjof Nansen, the Greenland explorer, Berlin's first ski club formed in 1872. The club sponsored the "Big Nansen" constructed in 1936–38 by the National Youth Administration and the City of Berlin. At the time, it was possibly the tallest steel-tower ski jump in the world, standing 171 feet high. The first jumper was Clarence "Spike" Oleson in 1937. In 1938, the Olympic trials were held here. Four times Milan hosted the United States Ski Jumping National Championships: 1940, '57, '65, '72.

Erected 2011 by New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. (Marker Number 227.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire Historical Highway Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 44° 31.946′ N, 71° 10.066′ W. Marker is near Milan, New Hampshire, in Coos County. It is on White Mountain Road (New Hampshire Route 16) 3 miles south of Milan Hill Road ( Route 110B), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milan NH 03588, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Maynesborough's First Residence (approx. 1.7 miles away); Boom Piers

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(approx. 3.2 miles away); Berlin Mills Railway (approx. 3½ miles away); The Power of the Androscoggin (approx. 3.6 miles away); Berlin Central Fire Station (approx. 4.2 miles away); Berlin Public Library (approx. 4.2 miles away); New Hampshire Lilacs (approx. 4.3 miles away); Sgt Daniel J. Albert (approx. 4.3 miles away).

Wideview of The Nansen Ski Jump Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Craft, August 26, 2015

2. Wideview of The Nansen Ski Jump Marker

("Big Nansen" ski jump can be seen atop the hill behind marker)

"Big Nansen" ski jump image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Craft, August 26, 2015

3. "Big Nansen" ski jump

Photographed by Kevin Craft, August 26, 2015

4. "Big Nansen" Ski Jump

(as seen as you approach from the north on Route 16)

Photographed by Ron and Monica Charpentier, October 22, 2017

5. The Nansen Ski Jump Marker

Close up of the ski jump

Fridtjof Nansen image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

6. Fridtjof Nansen

Portrait by Bain News Service, 4/29/1915.

Photographed by Ron and Monica Charpentier, October 22, 2017

7. The Nansen Ski Jump Marker

Help restore this valuable state historic landmark.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 732 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 30, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. 5. submitted on October 23, 2017, by Ron and Monica Charpentier of Hooksett, New Hampshire. 6. submitted on November 23, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on October 23, 2017, by Ron and Monica Charpentier of Hooksett, New Hampshire.