Imagine flying through the air the length of almost a
football field—with skis strapped on your feet.
That’s what many daring young competitors will do with ease at the
annual Jumpfest Winter Festival. This much-anticipated annual event celebrates
its 88th year February 7 to 9 at Satre Hill in Salisbury, in
Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills.
On Sunday, February 9, plan to start your morning off right with pancakes and eggs at the
Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance fundraiser breakfast. The highlight, the
Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships begins with practice at 11 am, the competition begins at 1 pm. and shows off the tremendous coordination, skill and
grace it takes to soar so far with a happy landing. Everyone
will be hoping to beat the Salisbury record, an impressive 231-foot jump.
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The championship, often featuring future Olympic hopefuls, is
the climax of a weekend of thrills and fun beginning under the lights Friday with
a chili cook-off at 6:30 p.m., followed by target jumping and the human dogsled
race. The dogsled race, a crowd favorite, has competing teams of five humans
pulling a sled and driver around a .3-mile course. It’s all in fun, and teams
can get very creative with both their costumes and sleds.
Saturday events start with the youth Nordic 20 and 30- meter
jumping competition, followed by the Salisbury Invitational Competition for ski
jumpers.
Popular Saturday features include the annual ice carving
demonstration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. of creative sculptures on display at the LaBonne
Square in the center of Salisbury and a bourbon tasting and chef demonstration at the Interlaken Inn on Rte. 112
in Lakeville. Everyone is invited to attend the Snow Ball Saturday night
at the Lakeville Hose Company, 9 Sharon Road in neighboring Lakeville.
The all-volunteer Salisbury Winter Sports Association, host
of the annual championships, maintain
cross country ski trails for SWSA members in Salisbury and provides scholarship
funds for downhill ski programs at four area schools.
For happy viewing, the Association recommends that spectators
dress warmly in lots of layers and bring a cowbell, the traditional way to
cheer on the jumpers. Hot food and
beverages are available each day to help watchers keep warm. Limited bleacher
seating is provided or viewers can bring their own lawn chairs.
Satre Ski Hill is located on Indian Cave Road, off Route 44
in Salisbury. Signs in the center of Salisbury point the way to ample free
parking. For further information, see www.jumpfest.org
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