Devils Lake Ski Jump
This is the former Devils Lake Ski Jump, about 10 miles south of Devils Lake at Sully’s Hill. This ski jump opened in 1931 and operated for a couple decades. Based on what we saw, we can conclusively say a jump from the end of this thing would have been terrifying. There’s some interesting information on this Ski Jump in this Dakota Datebook entry from 2008.
The road to the jump is a very steep, pitted dirt road. In anything other than totally dry conditions, you’d be well advised to take a 4 x 4.
Sometimes getting the shot requires a little bad judgement.
Photos by Troy Larson and Terry Hinnenkamp, copyright Sonic Tremor Media LLC
What an interesting piece of North Dakota history! Thanks for your excellent (and probably a little dangerous) work!
Outstanding photography and great subject matter.
I USE TO WORK OUT OF A CHURCH IN OBERON, ND. WE TOOK THE KIDS TO GO TUBING 1 YR. IT WAS AWESOME, COULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP TO SLED, THEY HAD SHUT THAT DOWN, THE SKI JUMP HAD A KID GET KILLED 1 TIME YRS BEFORE WE WERE THERE, COMING DOWN FROM THE VERY TOP ON A TUBE. WE MADE IT ONLY ABOUT HALF WAY.
Amazing shots, and as long as no injuries were incurred, this was well worth the bad judgement, which is something all of us (photographers) have done on occasion. Thank you guys for all that you do!
The pictures make my head spin just looking at them, but man, oh man…what a view from the top. Spectacular.
In the pictures, I don’t see a way for a skiier to get to the top of the jump. Was there any evidence of a ladder or something? Would they have had to walk up the jump ramp?
Wow, this thing is crazy! Needless to say, one can understand why it got shut down. Once again, great job guys! Your “bad judgement” resulted in some wonderful shots. Thanks Rat.
Wooden stairs are undoubtedly rotted away…
I grew up in North Dakota and never knew this existed. Great site you guys, keep up the excellent work!
I remember going with my sister and cousins to this site. We would tube and ski. They would rent skis, sell snacks. It was so much fun. There was a ladder to the ski jump and can not imagine what guts it took to go off that. You really have to see it to imagine it! And there was much talk about the “old guys” who would jump. I remember many injuries, ski accidents I was there when a boy broke his leg. No one thought “law suit” it was part of the rough and tumble of winter in ND! It slowly got more limited, tubes taking off lower and lower and I am not sure why it closed….wonderful childhood memories!
FYI this was in the 70′s and early 80′s.
I remember stairs all the way up. I think they were taken down to keep people from trying to climb them. My mother recalls her and her brothers climbing to the top.