Tag: #winterfun

Salisbury Winter Sport’s Association’s Annual Ski Swap – December 7th

For decades the Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) has paved the way for winter sports in the Litchfield Hills. From ski jumping to Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding opportunity abounds in northwest Connecticut. If you are looking to resell your equipment or upgrade on a budget head to the annual SWSA Ski Swap and Sale on Saturday, December 7th at the Lakeville Hose Company at 4 Brook Street from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., pick –up and payment from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.

SWSA, a 90 year old tradition in Salisbury, is an all volunteer, non profit organization dedicated teaching young athletes the skills needed to enjoy the exhilaration of Nordic ski jumping, cross-country, and Alpine skiing that instills a life-long sense of accomplishment and confidence. As part of their mission, SWSA offers a series of training classes, competitive events, and a winter jump camp overseen by a former SWSA jumper and member of the US Junior National Team. They also host the annual Jumpfest Competition and the U.S. Eastern Ski Jumping Championships that will be held this year on January 31, February 1 – 2, 2025.

Whether you want to upgrade, sell, or start a new hobby, you will find everything you need to outfit your family’s winter sports needs at this sale. For bargain hunters there will be used skates starting at $2, skis and snowboards starting around $50, and ski boots for $10 and up. In addition to used equipment, you will find a large selection of new winter sports equipment and clothes including ski hats, parkas, gloves, goggles, and socks as well as snow shoes, and down hill and cross country ski boots and binders at discounted prices.

If you have equipment to sell, drop off your items at the Lakeville Hose Company on Friday, December 6 between the hours of 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Used equipment that will be accepted includes downhill and cross country skis, boots, and poles, ice skates, hockey equipment (no sticks), snowboards, and snowshoes. Clothing is not accepted. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon, participants can pick up unsold equipment and money from things that sold – the good news is that SWSA doesn’t take a commission! Any equipment not picked up will become the property of SWSA. Proceeds from the sale will benefit several SWSA ski programs offered to young athletes. For additional information https://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.

JanetLeave a comment

Hot Chocolate Festival @ White Silo Farm

There is no better way to warm up to winter than sipping on Hot Chocolate at White Silo Farm in Sherman. On Saturday, February 3, and Sunday, February 4 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. White Silo Farm is celebrating its third hot chocolate and s’mores festival!

Guests will have the chance to taste four types of hot chocolate – white, milk, dark, and Mexican. It is fun to top off your cups with homemade marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and other fixings. They have also added homemade S’mores to eat with your hot chocolate(s). Bring your friends and enjoy a WARM afternoon in their winery, it is an ideal way to spend a cold winter day. Special food items to pair with your hot chocolate will be available to purchase To add to the fun, there will be live music on both days from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday Al Rivoli will perform and on Sunday Don Lowe will be at the farm to entertain guests.

The price is $25 per person. It includes one glass of wine or nonalcoholic beverage to sip with your hot chocolate(s). They have scheduled two sessions each day, the first from 12 noon – 2 p.m. and the second from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Advance tickets are required and limited. We hope that you can join us. For tickets click here.

JanetLeave a comment

Take Part in Salisbury’s JumpFest Human Dog Sled Race February 2 @ Satre Hill

Jumpfest, organized by the Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA), isn’t just about aspiring Olympic Ski Jumpers, it also offers tons of fun including one of the most sought-after winter events found only in six or so other places around the world…the Human Dog Sled Race! As a beloved tradition at Jumpfest, this year’s Human Dog Sled Race is taking place on Friday, February 2 at Satre Hill in Salisbury. The race will begin just after the Target Jumps conclude around 8:30 p.m. The ticket booth opens at 6 p.m. and that is when team members should arrive to organize their sled and confirm their registration.

If you are wondering what a Human Dog Sled Race is…think traditional dogsledding with a twist! Participating is easy. All you have to do is gather up a kennel of friends who are at least 18 years old and have a moderate level of fitness because this .3-mile snow course is not without peril. The teams consist of six people including five pulling the sled and one riding in it.

Teams compete for trophies in men’s, women’s, and mixed categories. In addition to awards for speed and fleet of foot, a very special award is given out, the People’s Choice Award for the Best Costume and Sled, making designing your sled part of the fun and challenge. Sleds can be made from just about anything that will glide over the snow track. They can be as simple as an inner tube, elaborately colorful contraptions, or techy steam-punk inventions! Let your team’s imagination run wild! Many contestants dress for the occasion to raise team camaraderie.

Registration is open through February 1; just send an email to info@jumpfest, attention Brian to enter. The fee to enter is a modest $25 per team that includes free entrance to Jumpfest! Proceeds benefit SWSA’s Junior Ski Programs.

An added bonus is that Friday night of Jumpfest is an all-around great time in a beautiful alpine setting. An eighth of a mile of luminaries guide visitors to the site where there are two roaring bonfires and plenty of food and beverages to snack on. The target ski jumping and the Human Dog Sled Races are held under the lights, and both are professionally announced.! For more information about Jumpfest https://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.

JanetLeave a comment