#MiddleburyCT #SalisburyCT #SkiJumping
A ski jumper flies through the air at a previous Jumpfest. (Submitted photo)
If you are looking for a new winter sport to fall in love with, ski jumping may be the exact option for you! One of the best places to see this highly respected sport on the East Coast is at Salisbury’s Jumpfest, which started Friday, February 2, and continues Saturday, February 3, and Sunday, February 4. Olympic hopefuls are often among those competing.
Let’s face it, some of us can’t ski, let alone fly through the sky with the hope of landing with elegance. Watching ski jumpers can be an unforgettably thrilling experience. Once you realize how difficult and technical this sport is, it becomes even more interesting and inspiring to watch live.
“Salisbury’s Jumpfest is going to be bigger and better than ever,” said Willie Hallihan, Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) director. “It’s a winter event that you won’t want to miss. The hint of frost in the air, the sound of ringing cowbells, and the crowds cheering on their favorite as the skis slap the landing hill make this event one of a kind.”
The jump tower stands 70 feet atop Satre Hill, and jumpers perch on their bar 350 feet above the ground. As the go flag is dropped, they speed their way down the 300-foot run, picking up speed along the way. Imagine watching as jumpers soar up to 200 feet through the air at speeds of 50 miles an hour!
Saturday, February 3, the small hill opens at 8 a.m. for practice jumps. The Junior Competition on the 20-meter and 30-meter hills starts at 9:30 a.m. and is followed by the Salisbury Invitational Ski Jump on the 65-meter hill at 1 p.m. The day ends with the Snowball Fundraiser at the Lakeville Town Grove with music by the Steve Dunn Band.
Sunday, February 4, the 65-meter hill opens at 11 a.m. The Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships, the big event of the weekend, begins at 1 p.m. The winners of the Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships will make up the Eastern Division of the Junior National Team and will be named after this competition awards ceremony concludes.
To add to the festivities there are food trucks, craft beer, hot toddies, and bonfires to enjoy against the backdrop of skiers flying through the air!
If you work up an appetite, no worries, the Cook Shack offers a range of burgers, dogs, hot chocolate, and more, and the Low N Slow Food Truck serves BBQ, authentic poutine, mac n’ cheese, and many other selections on three days. There will also be a wine tent, a hot toddy tent, and the Great Falls Brewing Company’s beer tent.
Tickets at the gate are $15 for adults each day. Kids 12 and under are free. The cost of the Saturday Snowball is $20 and includes a cash bar, music, raffles, and pizza at 10 p.m. The ski jump complex is at Satre Hill on Indian Cave Road in Salisbury. Check www.jumpfest.org for updates, scheduled changes, or more information or email the Association at info@jumpfest.org.
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