Grand opening for virtual ski jump

The chance to try an Olympic ski jump has been made into a virtual experience.

On Wednesday afternoon the Alf Engen Ski Museum in Park City, Utah will have a grand opening of its new virtual ski jump exhibit “Alf Engen Takes Flight.”

Connie Nelson, the executive director of the museum, said the ski jump is part of the Virtual Ride Exhibit in which visitors can experience a snow sport adventure.

“On the virtual jump you get to choose your ski outfit, name and your sponsor,” Nelson said. “We have the young kids who designed the program right there to help with the experience. You can upload a picture of yourself onto Facebook right after you jump.”

The exhibit features historic jumping skis, boots and trophies that all have a story to go with them from their donors.

(Photo courtesy of JDH Group)

After the museum’s opening in 2002, Nelson said the exhibits needed to be revamped to be interactive, educational and fun.

“We needed to put the exhibit back into the 21^st century,” she said.

The JDHgroup, a company specializing in designing brand experiences, was hired to renovate the museum’s older ski jump exhibit.

“It was a technical and challenging project that the whole team was excited about pulling off,” said Coty Creighton, an employee of JDHgroup.

Nelson said the cost for exhibits in the museum range between $100,000 to $120,000, which starts with Nelson obtaining grants and then finding several donors.

The cost to enter and view the museum is free. To experience the virtual ski jump it costs $2.  

According to Nelson, the museum has a 20 percent increase in visitors each year. She believes part of that is due to opening new exhibits and staying current.