Celebrating 100 Years of Ski Jumping in Salisbury

Norwegian immigrant John Satre gave a ski jumping demonstration off the roof of a hillside cabin in 1926, setting in motion one of the most improbable and unique traditions in Salisbury, CT.

Enthused by what they saw, residents built a ski jump and hosted their first competition in January 1927. Other world-class Norwegian Nordic skiers and ski jumpers joined John forming a core group that introduced Nordic sports to the community.  The Salisbury Winter Sports Association, SWSA, and its predecessor organization formed to support every aspect of that effort including organizing and hosting regional and national junior competitions held at John Satre Memorial Hill.

Today, Satre Hill is the site for a 70 meter state-of-the art tower that is a prerequisite for ski jumpers who aspire to Junior National Team designation.  At adjoining Hewat Hill, youngsters train on a 20 meter jump and the recently completed 36 meter tower.

Opening with a reception on January 16^th at 4:00, the Salisbury Association presents an exhibit honoring the 100^th anniversary of ski jumping in Salisbury and SWSA’s contributions to winter sports and the community.

The exhibit will run through mid-March.

Extended Hours for the SWSA Exhibit at the Salisbury Association over  Jumpfest Weekend!
Friday, February 6th, 10 a.m.  – 4 p.m.
Saturday, February 7th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, February 8th, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.

RICHARD (DICK) PADDOCK
In Memoriam

Richard Paddock, Trustee and co-chair of the Historical Society passed away on January 2, 2026. Dick had a deep connection with Salisbury and a rich knowledge of local history—the iron industry, the area railroads, the Scoville family and the Twin Lakes.   A terrific storyteller, he could easily and authoritatively hold forth on many aspects of the area’s history. Dick spent summers in the Twin Lakes area where the Scoville’s had gifted land to his grandfather, their chauffeur for many
years. Dick and his wife Fran subsequently lived on that property.  An MIT graduate and IBM employee for 30+ years, Dick was a great help to Jean McMillen with the technological side of the oral histories on the Association's website.  He was a warm, kind human being, always available to consult on a matter of local historical interest.  To quote Lou Bucceri, co-chair of the Historical Society: “If you didn’t know Dick, I’m sorry.  I miss him.”

Acknowledgment: We are grateful to Joseph Meehan and Louis Hecht for their beautiful photographs used throughout the website. Many thanks also to Carolyn Grimaldi, John Harney, Leo Nadeau, Don Perdue, Scott Whelan, and trustees too numerous to mention who provided other photos.