Despite a few spring storms, the winter season is nearing its end. But before we dust off mountain bikes or paddling gear, there’s one major event all ski bums can look forward to: end of season parties. And more importantly, the friggin’ pond skimming, mang’, arguably closing weekend’s most fun, and challenging, marginally-sober pastime.
These gatherings also present opportunities to do the following four important things: dress up like its halloween, enjoy adult beverages, throw underwear into trees and shred soft, slushy snow – emphasis on soft as the day wears on.
So many resorts hold pond-skimming competitions during their closing day fiestas. Whether you’re competing or spectating, fun is there for the taking. The practice of skimming skis (and boards) is nearly as ingrained in snow culture as the powder day. Albeit three times further down the rung in terms of cultural legitimacy and respectability. But hey, at least you’ll have a buzz. Some skimmers make it look easy, others make it look not so easy, and the audience makes it feel like a block party.
Here are the seven best pond-skimming comps in North America. Yes, the accompanying parties played a factor in my assessment.
This could be you.
Winter Park
Taking place during the Winter Park Spring Splash, April 24, this 48 year-old contest separates itself from normal pond-skims by featuring an obstacle course at the beginning. The upper section sports race gates and fences placed in humorous positions to throw off one’s momentum (and they work). Competitors are judged solely on time, so a good performance up top can go a long way, assuming one makes it across the pond. Live music accompanies the event and Winter Park’s proximity to Denver brings out city-dwellers on the hunt.
How’s his rail work?
Crested Butte
Crested Butte makes the list partly because of the name of its competition: the Slush Huck, which is this weekend. Furthermore, its pond consists of two bodies of water separated by a snow-capped barrier. Participants not only have to unleash their pond-skimming skills, but also their absorbing abilities. Only the very boldest slush-huckers will attempt to gap the first body of water and skim the second… perhaps that makes it easier? Also, don’t forget that Crested Butte was the recipient of Bud Light’s “Partytown U.S.A.” ad campaign a few years ago. If you look hard enough, you may find a few frosty beverages at the bottom of–or floating in–the pond.
Banff, Canada
When I think of Banff I think of ski vacations disrupted by extremely cold weather. Apparently, I should also be aware of their pond-skimming history. This year, May 23, Banff will hold its 88th Annual Slush Cup, the longest-running pond-skimming competition in the world. In fact, the 88th Slush Cup will double as the 1st Annual Pond Skimming World Cup (thanks to a partnership with Powder Magazine). Sunshine Village will play host to the best pond-skimmers in the world, so its safe to say this year’s event will be a complete debacle. Last year, the Slush Cup saw crowds of up to 7,000 so clearly there will be plenty to do besides watch people eat shit.
Mammoth, California
Yeah, Mammoth has reason to celebrate this year. And why not do it dressed like a super hero (meaning you can wear your jammies during the day)? California’s favorite Eastern Sierra mountain—which boasted a 200-inch base up top—will close Memorial Day but not before it’s Pond Skimming Championships, April 17. Show the hell up in a costume, register and skim the 110-foot pool like a gangster.
Vail, Colorado
Vail’s pond-skim serves as the finishing touch of a weekend-long extravaganza known as “Spring Back to Vail.” There will be concerts, drink specials, a pig roast, and even a virtual reality tent (only in Vail, right?). Whoever wins the pond skim receives a free Epic Pass for next season (which if you’re clued in enough to know, makes the event worth it right there), as well as a GoPro and other goodies. So wax your skis beforehand because apparently that helps repel water (and even that might not help you). Although Spring Back to Vail usually takes place on closing weekend, this year Vail decided to extend its season by seven days. The date of the extravaganza didn’t change (April 8-10), but local skiers may take caution on the pond-skim, given the extra week of shredding that’s available.
Steamboat, Colorado
This pond-skim factors in crowd noise, in addition to the usual time and costume, so the event is sure to get rowdy. It occurs towards the end of Steamboat’s two-week long closing ceremonies known as Springalicious, which involves events that are more ridiculous than pond-skimming (April 10). This year’s festival features the “36th Annual Cardboard Classic,” for example, in which custom-made cardboard apparatuses are raced down the hill. The “Red Ball Express” also highlights the closing weeks, involving a race of 100+ red bouncy balls. The owner of the first red ball down the mountain wins cash prizes up to 2,500 bucks. What a time to be alive. ‘Merica.
Northstar, Lake Tahoe, California
This happens this Saturday, April 2nd. Bring costumes to Northstar and let thee be judged–on best costume and skim. This is part of the mountain’s Spring it On celebration and here’s the kicker. You can totally make a fool of yourself skimming, then get a team of similarly embarrassingly wet buddies for the Tug-A-War contest across the artic pond. The first eight teams of six competitors get in. But ya gotta register. Single elimination–as if you needed another excuse.
