It’s impossible not to be impressed in some way by the following ramps, whether it be due to their size, purpose, or location. They range from being incredibly dangerous to lifesaving but are all daunting to some degree, even when you’re approching them in your mind, from the safety of your living room.

There are numerous ways to launch a hang glider, including running down a hill until fast enough to foot launch; being towed behind a plane and then released at the desired height; or even towed by a boat in similar fashion. Pictured above is another method that for some reason daunts me more than most: the launch ramp. Around the world many of these structures can be found in the highest of places, overlooking immense drops and spectacular landscapes. All there is to do is run to the end, push off, and glide.

Above: Freestyle Aerial Center, Lake Placid // Source

If there’s one in particular thing that would out me off even attempting a skiing or snowboarding freestyle jump, it’s the landing. It goes without saying really, but without the added headache of needing to land so as to protect yourself from serious injury or death, racing down a huge ramp on skis suddenly becomes far more attractive. This is where water ramps come in. They’re basically training structures for freestyle skiiers and snowboarders that take away that very headache by adding a pool of water below the jump rather than an expanse of hard snow.

This is the outcome:

Masada Ramp

Above: Masada Ramp // Source