Ski jump's construction and cost

The 90-meter ski jump of Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte was built between July 1966 and January 1967 for the Winter Olympics in Grenoble. The project required 280,000 cubic meters of earthwork and cost 5.9 million francs, with 80 percent of the funding provided by the state and 20 percent by the city of Grenoble.

Olympic event and later use

The ski jump hosted the Olympic event on February 18, 1968, with at least 50,000 people attending. It also hosted two FIS World Cup events in 1980 and 1981 before being abandoned in the late 1980s. The commune of Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte now has a population of 1,162, according to INSEE 2023 data.

Architectural design and maintenance

The ski jump was designed by architect Pierre Dalloz and two others, based on an inventory from the Ministry of Culture. Construction involved pouring concrete during cold weather, with finishing work continuing until the summer of 1967. The site was labeled "Remarkable Contemporary Architecture" in 2003 but remains in disrepair due to lack of maintenance funds.

Removal of old spotlights

In late September 2018, one ton of spotlights installed in 1968 on the Trois Pucelles cliff above the ski jump were removed by the Mountain Wilderness association and the association of guides. These lights, attached to the rock for 50 years, became a symbol of the site's abandonment.

Preservation efforts and plans

Since 2024, the association Plein d'Élan has worked on a preservation project led by Grenoble lawyer Arnaud Dollet. A partnership agreement with the commune was signed in July 2024 and extended in December. The city also published a study in December 2024, and the association organizes cultural events to raise awareness of the monument's history.

Proposed rehabilitation ideas

Proposed rehabilitation ideas include converting the ski jump tower into a viewing platform with a museum about the 1968 Games, turning the official stands into seasonal rental accommodations, and using the judges' tower as a restaurant. Arnaud Dollet notes that some parts of the structure are in good condition, but the ski jump itself is more deteriorated.

Heritage study and artistic events

The first phase of the project involves a heritage study to determine the structure's defining features before any work begins. In the meantime, the site opens occasionally for art events. An artistic event took place on July 5, 2025, and another titled "Art at the Ski Jump" occurred on May 30 and 31, 2026, featuring exhibitions, installations, and a market for creators.

Financial challenges ahead

The main challenge is convincing officials in the Vercors region of the project's financial feasibility. A commune with only 1,162 residents cannot fund such a large-scale project alone. The success of the preservation efforts will depend on the ability of the association to secure public and private funding.