Westby: Ski Jumping, Golf, and Festivals

Different themes come together in Westby: the Snowflake Ski Club ski jumping complex, golf, annual events, and local history. Depending on what you want to focus on during your stay, sports, a particular event date, or the city’s history may play different roles.

Ski Jumping and Golf at the Snowflake Ski Club

The Snowflake Ski Club ski jumping complex consists of six ski jumps. The largest is 118 meters high, Olympic-sized, and intended for national and international competitions. This makes ski jumping a clear sporting landmark in Westby. The complex itself and the annual tournament are different aspects: the jumps describe the facility, while the tournament is a recurring event with its own date.

At the foot of the ski jumps, the club offers a nine-hole, par-3 golf course. A spring-fed stream flows through the course. The course is open during three seasons; arrange tee times directly with the operator. This makes it easy to distinguish the golf offering from the competitive use of the jumps, without treating the two activities as a single program.

Annual Events and Local History

The annual Syttende Mai celebration takes place on the weekend closest to Norway’s Constitution Day on May 17. The program includes traditional arts and activities, a heritage tent, and a parade. The celebration gives your travel dates a clear connection to May; check dates and program details for the year you want to visit, as they may vary.

The Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament is also held annually in Westby and attracts participants from around the world. The field of participants varies from year to year. Unlike the Syttende Mai celebration, this event focuses on ski jumping; if the tournament is a deciding factor for your trip, check the date for the relevant year.

One historic landmark is Westby Country Coon Prairie Church and Cemetery. It was built in 1857 and is located on the edge of downtown Westby. It offers a different perspective on the area than the competitions and events: its significance lies in the history of a specific church and cemetery site.

Getting Your Bearings Locally and in the Wider Area

At the Stabur, you can take a photo with “Ole,” Westby’s carved town mascot, and get tourism information about the surrounding area. If you plan to use the Stabur to help you get your bearings, check before your trip whether it is accessible. Bowling leagues are offered at Nordic Lanes. If you want to include a league in your plans, ask Nordic Lanes directly for the schedule.

Norskedalen is in Coon Valley, outside the city and in the wider area around Westby. This nature and heritage center is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the natural environment and cultural heritage of the area around Coon Valley in southwestern Wisconsin. Its regional focus differs from the specific local landmarks in Westby.

When looking for a hotel in Westby, it may help to decide first on your travel dates and the main reason for your visit. For a trip around the Syttende Mai celebration, May 17 provides a point of reference; for the ski jumping tournament, check the date for the relevant year. If golf is the focus of your stay, confirm tee times with the club.

For the broader travel overview: Vernon County.