Photo © Eval Miko | Dreamstime.com
Yeah, yeah, we know. Ski resorts are hawking special discounts if people buy passes and equipment now, in advance of next year’s ski season. And make no mistake, there really are some great deals to be had.
But what everyone REALLY wants to know is, of course, this: Who is planning what crazy activities to celebrate the end of the season? Well, wonder no more. Here is SDM’s guide to everything from pond skims to costume races (and more).
Do A Shot Ski: Powder.com can thank us for bringing this tradition to light:
“Shot skis are a hallmark of the true ski experience, or maybe the true après experience, depending on how you look at it. If you've never done one, a shot ski is an old ski mounted with shot glasses, usually between 4-5, depending on the size of the ski.
With a group of people, you fill each shot glass with the alcohol or liquid of choice, line up along the ski and tilt it back all together so everyone gets to take a shot. It's all about coordination and communication to make sure no one ends up dumping whiskey all over themselves.”
To quote Shaboozey: Oh, my. Good lord.
Pond Skims: They’re not exactly weird any longer because so. many. resorts. love. them. Again, Powder.com for the win:
“Pond skims are a time-honored spring ski area tradition. When the temps get warm, and the snow gets slushy, lots of resorts will create a 'pond' at the base of the mountain and host a pond skim event. If you're feeling sendy and fast and don't mind the potential of plunging into icy cold water in ski boots, sign up, find a costume and try your hand—just remember that modern powder skis were modeled off water skis—the wider the better! If the skim itself isn't your vibe, pond skims are usually a carnage fest and a blast to watch. Bring some snacks and post up to watch all the bravest folks around try and surf their way across.”
Costumes: They’re everywhere but Aspen/Snowmass had this to say:
“Props to you for squeezing all you can out of this season. You could recycle that Highlands closing day costume, but extra points for a second ridiculous outfit. Top-to-bottom slush turns were in order on Ajax on Sunday, April 20, and those interested were invited to dance at the Sundeck and sip on bubbly from 11 a.m-3:30 p.m. It was officially Aspen Snowmass’ last day, might as well go for it. Didn't ski? The Silver Queen Gondola was FREE for foot passengers after 12 p.m.
Mattress Racing: The BBC had this to say:
At Shawnee Peak in Bridgton, Maine, teams of four bring old, unwanted mattresses to the slopes and race them down a straight, snowy course as fast as possible. The racers with the fastest time win a brand new, queen-sized mattress as a replacement. A prize is also awarded to the team with the most creatively decorated mattress, and the resort happily disposes of any unwanted makeshift sleds after the contests.
The BBC also found the following worthy of note:
Dummy Downhills
At the Alyeska Resort outside of Anchorage, Alaska, at Sugarbush in Vermont and at Brian Head Resort in southern Utah, competitors put padded dummies on skis or snowboards and send them down the slopes to see which can get the best air and biggest crash.
Uphill Challenge
After the days of downhill are done, four wheelers and all-terrain vehicles make their way up the mountain instead. At Shanty Creek in Traverse City, Michigan, as many as 80 or 90 vehicles come out to race side by side (two vehicles at a time) in a 400-yard sprint to the top of the snow-covered ski slopes in the Schuss Mountain Snow Challenge.
Crud to Mud
Since the snow does not fully melt off the top of Whistler Mountain until late summer, the Crud 2 Mud race in May takes advantage of the snow meeting spring conditions. Competitors ski or snowboard from the top of the mountain to the snow line, then strip their boots and boards and hop on mountain bikes to finish the race down the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
However you celebrate it, happy end of season.