Double dose of ski jump fun this year

Double dose of ski jump fun this year

SALISBURY — Ski jumping and cross-country skiing fans have two events to enjoy this year.

The Salisbury Winter Sports Association’s (SWSA) Jumpfest weekend is Friday, Feb. 11, through Sunday, Feb. 13.

The Junior Nationals Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined competition is Tuesday, Feb. 22, through Saturday, Feb. 26, at Satre Hill in Salisbury and at Mohawk Mountain ski area in Cornwall.

“Nordic Combined” is a combination of ski jumping and cross-country skiing. In the case of the Junior Nationals, the athletes jump in the morning at Satre Hill, and move to Mohawk Mountain in the afternoon for the cross-country events. The athletes’ performance in the jumping determines their seeding in the cross-country race.

The Jumpfest weekend begins on Friday night, Feb. 11,  with target jumping and the popular Human Dogsled race.

Saturday, Feb. 12, is the Salisbury Invitational, where jumpers from the eastern division of USA Nordic Sport compete. (USA Nordic Sport is the governing body for ski jumping and Nordic Combined in the United States.)

Jumpfest wraps up on Sunday, Feb. 13, with the Eastern jumping championship. The winners of this event will qualify for the Junior Nationals, which start Tuesday, Feb. 22.

SWSA’s Willie Hallihan said on Thursday, Feb. 27, that the snowmaking crew has been busy and the three jumps are in good shape.

New this year for Jumpiest is the addition of a short cross-country course at Satre Hill, near the jump towers.

Hallihan said in previous years cross-country events have been held at Trotta Field on Salmon Kill Road, but were entirely dependent on natural snowfall.

The new cross-country course at Satre Hill is conveniently located near everything else, including the snowmaking equipment.

So the Sunday events will include cross-country.

SWSA will follow Centers for Disease Control  COVID-19 guidance for outdoor events, which currently does not require masks for spectators.

For more information, go to www.jumpfest.org and www.usanordic.org.

Latest News

Jean Jacquier returns to Town Hall to finish term as town clerk

North Canaan Town Hall.
North Canaan Town Hall.
Photo by Riley Klein

NORTH CANAAN — After months away from Town Hall amid what she described as a “toxic” work environment, North Canaan Town Clerk Jean Jacquier has returned to the clerk’s office to complete the remainder of her term, which by law runs through Jan. 5 following her victory in the 2023 election.

Asked whether she felt comfortable being back, she was clear. “I certainly am,” Jacquier said. “I have nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of.”

Keep ReadingShow less

Ohler, Bunce strike cooperative tone at Board of Selectmen meeting

Ohler, Bunce strike cooperative tone at Board of Selectmen meeting

Brian Ohler, left, and Jesse Bunce await the results of the Nov. 10 recount for first selectman in North Canaan. Bunce won by two votes.

Photo by Riley Klein

NORTH CANAAN — About 100 residents attended North Canaan’s Board of Selectmen meeting Monday night — with more than 40 joining remotely and roughly 60 filling the meeting room — marking Jesse Bunce’s first such meeting since being elected first selectman.

Bunce, who took office from Brian Ohler following last month’s close election, acknowledged that the transition has included some early bumps and thanked town officials and staff for their work during a period he said has not been without challenges. “I’d like to thank Brian for all the efforts that he’s put in in this transition,” Bunce said at the meeting. “This process has not been perfect. We are working through it all.”

Keep ReadingShow less

School lunch prices to rise at select District No. 1 schools

School lunch prices to rise at select District No. 1 schools

Housatonic Valley Regional High School, where the price of school lunch will increase to $4.00 beginning Jan. 5.

Nathan Miller

FALLS VILLAGE -- School lunch prices will increase at select schools in Regional School District No. 1 beginning Jan. 5, 2026, following a deficit in the district’s food service account and rising food costs tied to federal meal compliance requirements.

District officials announced the changes in a letter to families dated Monday, Dec. 15, signed by Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley and Business Manager Samuel J. Herrick

Keep ReadingShow less

North Canaan Santa Chase 5K draws festive crowd

North Canaan Santa Chase 5K draws festive crowd

Runners line up at the starting line alongside Santa before the start of the 5th Annual North Canaan Santa Chase 5K on Saturday, Dec. 13.

By John Coston

NORTH CANAAN — Forty-eight runners braved frigid temperatures to participate in the 5th Annual North Canaan Santa Chase 5K Road Race on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Michael Mills, 45, of Goshen, led the pack with a time of 19 minutes, 15-seconds, averaging a 6:12-per-mile pace. Mills won the race for the third time and said he stays in shape by running with his daughter, a freshman at Lakeview High School in Litchfield.

Keep ReadingShow less