Planica

 
Home to the annual FIS Ski Flying World Cup event, the backdrop of the Planica Valley is magnificent. Awesome rugged peaks tower all around; formed by the Planica glacier some 20,000 years ago. The jump itself comprises a fearsomely large and heart stopping (-ly) steep slope, stuff only for professional ski fliers, or the clinically insane. The current world record (239m) is held by one of the former, Norwegian Bjørn Einar Romøren, and was contested by a Finn, Janne Ahonen, whose 240m flight ended with a fall. 2005 was apparently a great year for breaking records here. Every year Planica is prepared for the onslaught of a few thousand spectators in March. Being amongst 2000m+ alpine peaks, it is the only kind of setting worthy of such an internationally prestigious ski event.