It’s not something you’d expect to see in the Chicago area, but at the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, it’s not uncommon to see people – including Olympians – soaring through the air on a pair of skis.

“A lot of people … know it’s here, but don’t know much about it,” says Guy Larson, chairman of the Norge Ski Training Center. “As a kid, I would drive by and see the Nordic tower in the sky, but I really knew nothing about it.”

Founded in 1905 by a group of Norwegians, the Norge Ski Club is the oldest, continuously open ski club in the United States.

“Back in the day, there was a ski jump in every town,” Larson says. “When Scandinavians came in and settled the upper Midwest, they brought that culture here. A lot built a jump before they built their houses. It was a true passion, and there were so many more than there are now.”

Ski jumping consists of a skier going down some sort of scaffolding with as much speed as possible in a spring-loaded position before exploding into flight. It is considered an individual sport, with skiers scored on style and distance, but it also has a team aspect for major competitions.

“It’s an incredible adrenaline rush,” says 22-year-old Casey Larson, Guy’s son and a 2022 Olympic hopeful. “It’s so cool to be in the air, [in] control, and know your body well enough to fly those distances. It takes years to get to that point, but it doesn’t take years to start having fun.”

For competitions, Norge is part of the Central Division, which is the largest one in North America, with 12 active ski clubs. While Norge is the southernmost in the division, its top-of-the-line facilities make it possible to train even in the summer. A typical program runs January through March and May through November, with a slick, plastic surface allowing practice with waxed skis.

“We have a great modern infrastructure, hills and coaching,” Larson says, noting that they have 5-, 10-, 25-, 40- and 70-meter hills. “It really sets us apart from other clubs that don’t have that infrastructure.”

Every year since it opened, the Norge Ski Club has hosted a winter tournament. The next one is slated for Jan. 29 and 30.

“We’ll draw over 10,000 people over the weekend,” Larson says, adding it’s a great introduction to the sport. “People dress up like Vikings, there’s a constant flow of beverages, and it’s definitely standing-room-only.”

You have to begin somewhere, and much like the Larson family, many people get started due to word of mouth or from checking out the training.

“Seventy-five percent of our kids have come to the club and have never skied a day in their lives,” Larson says, adding no experience is necessary, but it helps to have good balance and body awareness.

There are currently close to 60 kids in the club, ranging in age from 3 to mid- 20s. Larson thinks the sweet spot to get started is the 5- to 6-year-old range.

“We certainly don’t turn anyone away, whether it be an older adult with a bucket list item or someone with a skiing background,” Larson says.

It’s been a cool journey for Larson, who started with the club 16 years ago with Casey, who was 6 at the time. When he first got involved, there were only volunteer coaches, hand-me-down equipment and a handful of kids traveling internationally.

That’s definitely not the case anymore.

In 2018, three of the four Olympians representing the U.S. in ski jumping in South Korea were from Norge: Casey, Mike Glasder and Kevin Bickner. While no one placed in the last Olympics, Kevin, Casey and Patrick Gasienica are all on the national team and are vying for a spot in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Guy’s daughter, Cara, is also on the national team, and is trying to rebound from a major knee injury a few years ago.

“Things are looking good for sure,” Casey Larson says. “I had a good summer in terms of competing – there’s a whole season before and after the Olympics.”

Like most of the other athletes, Casey and Cara no longer train at Norge due to training requirements for the national team. Both currently live in Park City, Utah, and take online classes at the University of Utah. When they’re not training in Park City, they can be found on the slopes in Slovenia.

“They’re both full-time athletes and part-time students,” Larson says, noting many of the national team coaches reside in Slovenia. “The more that we can have our athletes in Europe, the better we’re going to be.”

The final U.S. Olympic team roster is expected to be announced in February.

“The Olympics are the one time every four years I get to publicize my sport,” Casey Larson says. “Especially this year, being one of the older guys on the team, I want as many people to hear about it and get pumped about it.”

But even on the world stage, he hasn’t forgotten where he got his start.

“When I’m home, I like to be out at the club to hang out,” he says. “It’s what made me. Those hills are incredible and amazing.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: 117th Norge Annual Winter Ski Jump Tournament

WHEN: Noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 29 and 30, gates open at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Norge Ski Club, 100 Ski Hill Road, Fox River Grove

COST: $15 in advance, $20 at the gate, good for both days; free for ages 12 and younger

INFORMATION: www.norgeskiclub.org or 847-639-9718