This year, why not elevate your love for winter sports—literally? Ski jumping, a breathtaking blend of athleticism and daring, might just become your new obsession. And there’s no better place to experience this electrifying sport on the East Coast than Salisbury’s Jumpfest, happening Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2. What makes Jumpfest truly special? You’ll witness jaw-dropping performances, often featuring Olympic hopefuls, soaring through the crisp winter air. Don’t worry if there’s no snow in your backyard—Satre Hill will be blanketed in pristine, powdery snow, thanks to the state-of-the-art snowmaking technology of the Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA).
Let’s be honest—not everyone can ski, let alone soar through the air and nail a landing with any grace. But watching ski jumpers defy gravity in real-time? That’s a whole different level of excitement. This is a sport where every second and every movement counts, making it as unpredictable as it is electrifying. With razor-thin margins and unexpected victories, no two performances are ever the same. Once you see the precision, skill, and sheer guts it takes to master this sport, you’ll be hooked. And there’s no better place to experience the adrenaline than Salisbury’s Jumpfest—set to be bigger, bolder, and better than ever! The frost in the air, the clang of cowbells, the roar of the crowd, and the unmistakable thwack of skis hitting the landing hill—it’s pure magic. This isn’t just an event, it’s a winter experience!”
Jumpfest delivers three days of heart pounding excitement and ski jumping competitions. As one of only six East Coast venues—and among the oldest and most prestigious—Salisbury has hosted jumpers that have gone on to the Olympics in past competitions. Witness an extraordinary spectacle as athletes take on not one, but three distinct hills: the 20-meter, 30-meter, and the towering 65-meter hill. Brace yourself as jumpers launch into the air, soaring up to 200 feet at breathtaking speeds exceeding 50 miles per hour. This is a rare chance to see skill, bravery, and gravity-defying feats all in one exhilarating event!
Friday begins when the gates swing open at 6 PM. The excitement kicks off at 7 PM with Target Jumping, followed by the crowd-favorite Human Dog Sled Race. Watch teams of six go head-to-head in this wildly entertaining, one-of-a-kind competition. With thrilling prizes and year-long bragging rights on the line, it’s a can’t-miss spectacle of fun and chaos. You won’t find many places in the country hosting an event like this, and certainly not close to Connecticut. Make sure you’re there—this is the stuff memories (and legends) are made of! To enter head to https://www.skireg.com/jumpfest-human-dogsled-race and keep in mind the deadline for entering this zany event is January 30th. The fee to enter is a modest $25 per team that includes free entrance to Jumpfest! Proceeds benefit SWSA’s Junior Ski Programs.
On Saturday, February 1st, the small hill opens at 8 a.m. for practice jumps. At 9:30 a.m., cheer on the next generation of ski jumpers during the Junior Competition on the 20-meter and 30-meter hills. The action heats up as the 70-meter hill opens from 11 a.m. to noon for warm-ups and practice jumps, all leading up to the main event: the Salisbury Invitational Ski Jump Competition on the big hill at 1 p.m. The day wraps up with the Snowball Fundraiser that begins at 8 p.m. and runs through 11:30 p.m. at the Lakeville Town Grove. Dance the night away with live music from the Steve Dunn Band, try your luck in the raffle, and refuel with pizza at 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, kids 12 and under are free.
On Sunday, February 2nd the action kicks off at 11 a.m. when the 70-meter hill opens for warm-ups and practice jumps. It’s the perfect chance to scope out the athletes’ style, form, and landings up close. But the real excitement starts at 1 p.m. with the Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships—easily the biggest highlight of the weekend. Feel the tension as ski jumpers sit on the bar, laser-focused, waiting for the go signal. Then, it’s pure magic. They launch into the air, helmets leading the charge, arms thrown back, and bodies tucked tight for ultimate speed and aerodynamics. Balance. Flexibility. Nerve. It’s all on display as they soar from the top of the hill to the bottom in just 20 electrifying seconds. Blink, and you might miss it. The stakes couldn’t be higher—winners of the championships will earn their spot on the Eastern Division of the Junior National Team. Stick around for the awards ceremony to see who makes the cut. Don’t just watch the action—feel it. This is ski jumping at its finest.
And, 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 all three days. There will also be a wine tent, a hot toddy tent, and the Great Falls Brewing Company’s beer tent.
Tickets will be available at the gate and are $15 for adults on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Kids 12 and under are free all three days. The cost of the Snowball is $20 and includes a cash bar, music, raffles, and pizza at 10 p.m. The ski jump complex is located at Satre Hill on Indian Cave Road in Salisbury. Before setting out check www.jumpfest.org for updates, scheduled changes, or more information or email the Association at info@jumpfest.org.
ABOUT SALISBURY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION
The mission of the Salisbury Winter Sports Association is to acquaint the public with Nordic ski-jumping, cross –country and Alpine skiing, and to teach the skills necessary for their enjoyment. One way of fulfilling this mission is to host the annual Jumpfest Competition on Satre Hill to sustain and ski jumping in Salisbury, Connecticut, and the Eastern United States.
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