Nearly everyone’s heard of pond scum. We’ve all felt it and seen the slimy green film on the edge of the lake or in the swimming pool that hasn’t been cleaned recently. Kids like to dip a stick into it while saying “yuck”. It smells, it grows when unwanted, and it can be a pain to clean up. But a lesser known phenomenon known as pond skim sounds like the treatment you’d apply to get rid of scum.
Pond skim is actually yucky to some–but like kids playing with slimy green stuff in a pool or pond, skims can be equally fun. Taking place in mushy messes created by melting snow, artificial ponds and lakes at the base of ski slopes, participants don costumes and ski into muddy waters, usually finishing with a splash. At California ski resorts this ceremonious grand finale closes out the ski season.
There are variations on the pond skim such as the Downhill Dummy Contest at Tahoe Donner in Truckee. Dummies are constructed by participants and decorated to reflect a theme, then pushed down ski slopes for the crowds to watch.
Bear Valley Resort Pondskim, Wine & Brew Fest April 11, 2020
Mammoth Mountain Pond Skim April 19, 2020
Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows The Cushing Crossing May 2, 2020
Tahoe Donner Downhill Dummy Contest Closing Day April 12, 2020
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