Carter Lee from The Flying Eagles Club in Wisconsin was one of the youngest jumpers to compete at The Snowflake Tourney in 2020 on the 90-meter hill. This year's tourney will be promoting many national jumpers.
Snowflake Ski Club volunteers have snowed and groomed the scaffolding and are finishing up other tasks to be prepared to welcome ski jumpers and ski jumping fans to the 98th annual Snowflake Ski Jump Tournament planned for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6.
Scott Yttri, one of the club’s volunteers, said they are expecting 50 to 60 jumpers from the four-state area.
The annual event will be different than it has been in the past due to COVID-19. The tournament will be held on the junior jumps, with the main event held on the 65-meter hill. The clubhouse and Westby Rod and Gun Club will be closed to the public. Tailgating is allowed with CDC guidelines of social distancing and masks advised. There will not be a dance, no alcohol sales or vendors on site; however, there will be food available for purchase.
Friday’s opening ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m., followed by the competition on the 65-meter hill. Saturday features skiing all morning on the junior hills and the opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m. and at 1 p.m. competition on the 65-meter hill. Event organizers are planning to have the long-standing jump on Saturday.
There will be no advance sales of buttons this year; however, they are available at the event for a goodwill donation. Historically, buttons sold for $20 for admission to the Large Hill Tournament and Gold for $50.
Ski jump fans are advised to keep an eye on the Snowflake Ski Club Facebook page or www.snowflakeskiclub.com for updates.
Large bonfires dot the landscape of the Snowflake grounds and provide needed warmth to people attending the annual Snowflake Ski Tournament in Westby. The well lit 90-meter hill sits in the background at the start of the 2020 competition.
Angela Cina can be reached at angie.cina@lee.net.
