Skiers and Snowboarders Dress up to Bomb it Down Mammoth Mountain in Hopes of Floating on Water on Easter Sunday

Skiers and Snowboarders Dress up to Bomb it Down Mammoth Mountain in Hopes of Floating on Water on Easter Sunday

Every year, Mammoth Mountain puts on the Pond Skim, challenging athletes to an unconventional expression of their talents by gliding across a freezing cold pool dug out of the snow

Every year at Mammoth Mountain, some of the more eccentric of our athletes compete for glory and… a pickle board?

This year, the day of infamy fell on a bluebird Easter Sunday and the vibes were impeccable. If you’ve ever been in a snowball fight in the spring just take that energy, stir or shake it, and down the hatch at freshly waxed speeds.

Contestants had to line up for registration at 5 in the morning, in costume, to stand a chance of making the 50 contestant cut. For those competing in little more than a bathing suit you have my respect and a cup of nuclear-hot vending machine hot chocolate (in spirit).

Everyone from The Mammoth themselves to SpongeBob, Scuba Steve, a couple shredders who haven’t even hit their teens, a mermaid, a couple brides who missed a carve somewhere along the way to their wedding, and the Carpenter-in-Chief Jesus Christ himself hit the slopes to make an example out of 100 feet of freezing cold water dug out of Eastern Sierra snow.

Some nailed the 50-50 grind, some went for style, some focused on getting the crowd soaked with sheer force of will, and a few performed the miracle of floating all the way across to victory. Ironically, both a lumberjack and The Carpenter managed to make that last bit look easy.

I would like to note that it was entirely unnecessary for a cow to bring milk all the way up the gondola just to pour it over their own head in dramatic fashion as they came sailing across the frigid seas. But, hey, who am I to judge a bovine with an Ikon Pass?

Having to dodge a — at times rather spicy for something made of ice shards — snowball fight while getting these shots and footage proved exciting. I took one to the ear from someone with an arm like a cannon and witnessed a couple folks who were less than thrilled at the extra competition when critical parts felt contact.

As each contestant flew past they were pelted with the crowd’s best offerings but held it together time and again.

Then, as if proclaimed by a burning fireplace keeping us all nice and cozy that only the judges could hear, the final contestant on this Easter Sunday was none other than Jesus Christ himself (or at least someone dressed up like how the Catholics paint him). From higher up the mount than any other rider he set forth to fulfill the holy scripture and came flying down the corn with one goal: to walk, or at least ski, on water.

The crowd thought they couldn’t get louder… until the most perfect day concluded in the most perfect way. The rocks cried out and screams filled the sky as he made it across all 100 feet, carrying his cross, and popping up the other side with arms spread wide knowing he absolutely nailed it.

Poetic, to say the least.

Once things concluded, with winners crowned and prizes dispersed, the Aprés after-party kicked off with a solid 808. WLDCT stole the show and set the crowd on fire as Lincoln Bar served up guest after guest after guest.

You shoulda been there.

Aw, well, there’s always next time.

MGraham