California Festivals
California Pond Skims
BIG BEAR LAKE: Bear Break Pond Skim Saturday, April 4, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Big Bear Mountain Resort
43101 Goldmine Drive
Big Bear Lake, California 92315
A valid lift ticket or season pass is required to participate in the pond skim,
bigbear.com/ events/ bear-break/
(844) 462-2327
Head to Bear Mountain for Southern California's most bodacious springtime bash
aka Bear Break. Break out your raddest retro gear and send it in style at
SoCal's best springtime bash, featuring a pond skim, retro fashion show, and
live entertainment. Come celebrate the season and enjoy the regions’ best snow
conditions and most rideable terrain, with vendor activations in the base area
and prize giveaways.
TAHOE NORTH: Dummy Downhill at Diamond Peak
April 4, 2026 Diamond Peak Ski Resort
1210 Ski Way
Incline Village, NV.
Free.
diamondpeak.com/ event/ dummy-downhill/
Sign up to build a dummy on skis or snowboards that gets launched off of a big jump, while spectators get to watch as unique characters fly down the hill or crash hard. This is Diamond Peak's signature spring event and the biggest party of the year. Prizes and certificates are awarded for creativity, best crash, furthest distance, shortest distance, survivor, and most sustainable.
BEAR VALLEY: Bear Valley Resort Pondskim & Brew Fest April 11, 2026, Pondskim
Bear Valley Mountain
2280 State Route 207
Bear Valley, CA 95223
bearvalley.com
Signup 8:30-11 a.m. in the Sunroom *limited spots available Pondskim Starts! 12:30 p.m.
Biggest bash of the year, Pondskim & Sip Fest, is happening — Live music from DJ Orion, a costume contest, and a Sip Fest. Whether you're skimming across the pond or just coming for the good times, this Spring celebration delivers. Proceeds from events benefits local charities.
MAMMOTH LAKES: Mammoth Mountain Pond Skim April 19, 2026, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Canyon Lodge
10001 Minaret Road
Mammoth Lakes CA 93546
mammothmountain.com
OLYMPIC VALLEY: The Cushing Crossing at Palisades Tahoe May 2, 2026, 1-4 p.m.
The Cushing Crossing
Squaw Alpine - Cushing Pond near the base of KT-22
1960 Squaw Valley Road
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
palisadestahoe.com
The 34th Annual Cushing Crossing springs
forth each spring season from the original pond skimming event that started a
resort ritual. Every year this family friendly spectacle features a celebrity
judging panel and amazing emcees. Look for big spills, plenty of laughter and
thrills guests don't want to miss. Event kicks off at 1 p.m. Awards follow at
the pond.
Prizes / category:
Best Overall
Men's Ski
Men's Snowboard
Women's Ski
Women's Snowboard
Unlimited
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Heavenly Ski Resort Pond Skim April 11, 2026, 1-3
p.m. | Apres Party 3-5 p.m.
Heavenly Ski Resort, Base of World Cup
3860 Saddle Rd
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Free
Day of registration, 150 applicants accepted - First Come, First Serve!
skiheavenly.com
Pond Skim is 1-3 p.m. with Apres Pond Party 3-5 p.m. Come one, come all, enjoy
the fun as the ski season nears its end for the season with this hilarious
event. Skiers head right for a pond - on purpose!
TRUCKEE: Northstar Pond Skim April 4, 2026
200 Northstar Drive
Truckee, CA 96161
Free, northstarcalifornia.com
Spring it on! Celebrate spring at Northstar by trying your luck at the pond skim
April 4, 2026 or test your skills at the rail jam April 5, 2026. As the ski season
nears its completion, this time-honored tradition of getting all wet is a
perfect way to say "aloha" to summer at Northstar California Resort!
PINECREST: Dodge Ridge Mountain Tsunami & Pond Skim | 2026 not announced as of 3/10/26
Dodge Ridge Mountain Ski Resort
1 Dodge Ridge Road
Pinecrest, CA
Free to see, $10 participation, dodgeridge.com
Theme: Wild West Watering Hole
Come in your cowfolk attire and step into a Wild West Frontier. Show off your most authentic and creative western attire for a chance to win fantastic prizes! Are you Team Cowboy or Cow? Or maybe something else? Let your imagination run wild and stand out in the crowd.
Join in an iconic spring day on the slopes when waves take over the mountain!! Enjoy music, pond skimming competition, BBQ, costume contest, and much more. Live Music by The Shooting Breeze on the Creekside Deck. Pond Skim Competition 12-3pm Best Costume Best Splash Best Skim Best Trick Costume Contest Tiki/Tropical Attire Encouraged. Limited to the first 100 participants. $10 participation fee per pond skim participant. Free to spectate. No food or beverages allowed on the snow. dodgeridge.com
TRUCKEE: Tahoe Donner Downhill Dummy
Contest No 2025 0r 2026 event listed
SUPERHEROES is the theme
Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort
11603 Snowpeak Way
Truckee, CA 96161
tahoedonner.com/downhill
12PM | Downhill Dummy display on the deck (Dummies must be on the deck no
later than 4PM to participate)
3PM | Eagle Rock Chairlift closes
4:15PM | Dummies are hauled up and launched
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.