Pond Skimming: The Epic End to the Ski Season

Spring is here and to close out the ski season, you should look to celebrate with the epic event of pond skimming. Pond skimming is exactly what it sounds like, skiers and snowboarders take turns riding down the mountain and attempting to get themselves across a pond, aiming to travel the farthest distance before splashing down.

Pond Skimming Costumes? Heck Yeah!

From bikinis to onesies, we’ve seen some outrageous costumes. The more creative (and hilarious) the better. Imagine the glory of skimming across the pond as a giant pizza – pure podium potential!

Beyond Distance: Tricks and Style

Pond skimming requires a delicate balance of speed, technique and a little bit of luck. Sure, distance is king, but don’t forget about style points! Experienced skimmers use the water as a launchpad for epic tricks. Check out this epic video of a flip after making it past the pond at Solitude Mountain Resort last year:

@solitudemountain Alternate angle of our 2023 Pond Skim Winner! #GoPro #SolitudeMountain #PondSkim #PondSkimming #fyp 🎥: @gopro ♬ original sound – Solitude Mountain Resort

Après-Skim Celebration

After all the pond skimming is done, it’s time to celebrate! Most events have a festive after-party with live music, food trucks, and a chance to swap stories with fellow pond warriors. Bond over epic splashes, near misses, and maybe even a trophy or two!

Remember: Safety First!

We can’t stress enough that pond skimming should always be done at a designated event with proper safety measures in place. These events will have experienced staff to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

Find a Pond Skim Event!

Look for pond skimming events near you or check out the upcoming events below:

Northeast Pond Skimming

1. Gore Mountain: March 30, 2024 – North Creek, NY
2. Bretton Woods: March 30, 2024 – Bretton Woods, NH
3. Loon Mountain: April 6, 2024 – Lincoln, NH
4. Wachusett Mountain: April 6, 2024 – Westminster, MA
5. Sugarbush Resort: April 6, 2024 – Warren, VT
6. Stratton Mountain Resort: April 6, 2024 – Stratton, VT
7. Smugglers’ Notch Resort: April 6, 2024 – Jeffersonville, VT
8. Mad River Glen: April 7, 2024 – Waitsfield, VT
9. Killington Resort: April 13, 2024 – Killington, VT
10. Jay Peak Resort: April 20, 2024 – Jay, VT

West Coast Pond Skimming

1. Kirkwood Resort: April 13, 2024 – Kirkwood, CA
2. Mammoth Mountain: April 14, 2024 – Mammoth Lakes, CA
3. Stevens Pass: April 16, 2024 – Skykomish, WA
4. Palisades Tahoe: May 20, 2024 – Olympic Valley, CA 

Mountain West Pond Skimming

1. Whitefish Mountain Resort: April 6, 2024 – Whitefish, MT
2. Park City Mountain Resort: April 6, 2024 – Park City, UT
3. Copper Mountain: April 27, 2024 – Frisco, CO

International Pond Skimming

1. Engelberg-Titlis: April 6, 2024 – Engelberg, Switzerland
2. Val d’Irène: April 12-14th, 2024 – Quebec, Canada
3. Banff Sunshine Village Ski Resort: May 20, 2024 – Alberta, Canada

And if you plan to travel to compete at a pond skimming event, you don’t want to worry about how your costume will fit in the overhead bin or how it will fare in checked luggage. Check out Ship Skis, we are experienced in making sure that your ski gear (and ski costumes) make it to your destination safely.

Written by: Erika Austin