Mt. Bachelor closes ski season as North American Pond Skimming Championships goes off without a hitch – just a splash
(Update: Adding video, comments from Mt. Bachelor representative)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Closing day for the season at Mt. Bachelor went off with a bang and a splash Sunday with the North American Pond Skimming Championships. The event has been a Bachelor tradition for more than 20 years.
About 100 competitors strapped on their ski boots and snowboards, starting their descent at the top of the mountain, all the way down to a 100-foot-long pond at the bottom of the slope to glide over. Each person only had one shot at making a good impression.
Costumes were encouraged -- people donned sloth and chicken costumes, among many others, as well as Hawaiian shirts.
"Closing day here at Mt. Bachelor is just such a special celebration of the winter season of our employees and pass-holders," said Lauren Burke, director of marketing communications. "It is just a feel-good, energetic way to see all the people that have been (here) day in and day out. And we couldn't be more thankful for some sunshine today -- because we had snow all day yesterday!"
After crossing the pond, judges scored the skimmers' ability to cross the water without wiping out. Participants had a chance to win a winter 2024-2025 Mt. Bachelor season pass.
