The resort built a 100-foot long pool at the base of a big ramp at the Eagle lift, where hundreds cheered on the contestants, along with an emcee and loud music.
Skiers, snowboarders and mono-skiers chose between a ramp, a spring diving board box or a flat entrance to launch across the water. Their goal was to find the perfect balance point, leaning back, but not too far back.
Thom Shumard dressed as Bugs Bunny in Space Jam. Like that character, he went flying, but did not manage a dry landing.
“I figured I'd do something different,” Shumard said. “I tried to backflip, and I got most of the way around but did not make it.”
When asked about the water, he replied, “Shocking. It took my breath away, for sure.”
Shumard said he’ll be back next year.
The most popular outfit was bananas. Wendy Norwood said she saw a bunch of them tailgating earlier in the day.
“So you saw a whole row of bananas tailgating,” Norwood said. “Then, to see them come down the mountain and skim across the pond, that takes coordination to get all the bananas together.”
The crowd cheered for everyone, but especially those who pulled off tricks or wiped out.
For Norwood, who was just there to watch with her husband Greg and their dogs, it’s all a good time.
“That's what I think makes this nice with the pond skim,” she said, “the amount of people that are out here tailgating and having fun, and the weather turned out nice. It was a real Park City moment.”
150 people participated in the event. They each paid $20, which went to EpicPromise, Vail Resorts’ philanthropic arm.
There were also prizes: Park City Mountain gear, other ski equipment, and, of course, towels to dry off the riders. While some appeared to manage the shocking cold better than others, everyone came up smiling.
