By Carli Johnson STAFF WRITER
Aside from signaling the nearing end of the ski season, Big Sky Resort’s annual pond skim marks a fun-filled, splashy spectacle that everyone can enjoy. Contestants and spectators dress in costumes, cheer each other on and of course, get wet.
Every seasoned skier and snowboarder knows that the best way to enjoy the pond skim is to show up in their wackiest outfits, tailgate with a hot dog and cheer on the biggest splashes. This year, Big Sky Resort had judges who scored contestants on best splash, trick and costume.
“We were looking for costumes, energy, who was pumping up the crowd,” said one of the judges, Shelby Stubblefield, when asked about the criteria for contestants. “There were a lot of people who made it across but we were looking for folks that had a little special flair when they hit the water.”
On Saturday, April 11, around 10 a.m., spectators began making the pilgrimage up to The Bowl to find a good viewing spot of the event. Despite the lack of snow, people still found rocky seats among the exposed hillside to get up high and watch from above.
Participants shared many different opinions when asked for tips on how to get across the pond.
After climbing out of the pond, first time pond-skimmer Liam Maumenee advised future contestants to “lean back, but don’t lean back too much.”
Covered in green paint and a wig, Trevor Donathan, dressed as Fiona from Shrek, cautioned against hitting the jump. “I hit the jump and wasn’t even close to making it,” he said with a chuckle.
His partner Robert Driscoll, dressed as Shrek, shook his head when asked for advice. “I wouldn’t know, I didn’t make it,” he said.
Whether contestants made it across or took the plunge, everyone was smiling on their walk out into the crowd. Even those who had to go diving for their skis or be dragged out by a life preserver, the spectacle alone kept the audience entertained.
“After a season where the snowfall didn’t impress too many, it was nice to have an event where the community could come together and just listen to music, watch people splash around in the water and have a good time,” Stubblefield said.
After the final skimmer around noon, spectators turned toward the main stage to listen to a live DJ, me n ü, and keep the excitement going as part of Big Sky Resort’s Spring Series.
Big Sky Resort will remain open for the next two weekends, Friday through Sunday, and will have its closing day on Sunday, April 26.
