Vermont Travel Notes

Photo from Harris Hill Ski Jump

Almost every year for the past 85 years, ski jumpers from around the world have converged on the village of Brattleboro Vermont to take part in the "original extreme sport."

They will do so again this year on February 14 and 15 but the difference will be that the Harris Hill jump has been completely rebuilt. It's literally brand new and with luck it will last another 85 years.

After the town got together and raised about half a million dollars, demolition and rebuilding continued through the last year. It was either that or lose what those in the ski jumping world consider an iconic structure in the sport. There are no others in New England and only six others in the USA of its size.

Harris Hill was built by a visionary named Fred Harris who devoted a large portion of his life to building and maintaining the jump.

The jump is just one mile from Exit 2 on I-91. Driving directions are on the website.

(c) 2009 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn