Bergisel Schanze

Lonely Planet review

Rising above Innsbruck like a celestial staircase is the glass-and-steel Bergisel Schanze. The brainchild of Iraqi architect, Zaha Hadid, the futuristic landmark was unveiled in 2002 and cost around a whopping €15 million. From May to July, fans pile in to see athletes train, while preparations step up a gear in January for the biggest event on the ski jumping calendar, the Vierschanzen-Tournee (Four Hills Tournament).

It is 455 steps or a two-minute funicular ride to the top. From the 50m-high viewing platform, the panorama of the Nordkette range, Inn Valley and Innsbruck is breathtaking; though the cemetery at the bottom has undoubtedly made a few ski jumping pros quiver in their boots, not least plucky Brit Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards, who broke his jaw and collarbone here in a spectacular missed jump.

Next to the stadium at the bottom, the museum is small but fascinating hall of fame, crammed with black-and-white photos of death-defying daredevils that used to jump in leather shoes and without helmets.