Slush Rush Copper Mountain wasn't exactly a beach party for 2nd annual pond skim

Conditions for the 2nd annual Slush Rush at Copper Mountain Resort were not exactly representative of a warm spring day as most pond skims and beach parties go near the end of ski season.

Instead of a typical warm, spring splash day it was a cold, spring powder day — yet the ski and snowboard crazies partook in the competition anyway.

Skiing and snowboarding culture is lively, and skiers and riders will show up 'all-in' to slide on snow nearly regardless of conditions.

And Saturday was no different. From the DJ spinning tunes of hip-hop and 80s rock to dogs wandering the slopes below the halfpipe and mugs of hoppy libations served on snow, the party atmosphere was hot.

The three-discipline event pitted teams of three needing to complete the fastest a slalom course through the 22-foot halfpipe, ski or ride a skiercross/boardercross-style race course while holding a cup of Gatorade and not spill it, and finish on a rail slide, jump and pond skim course. 

The race started atop the 22-foot superpipe overlooking Copper Mountain's base village, and the slalom gates were higher on the wall than some anticipated.

The spectators watched numerous skiers or riders make washed-out turns or fall into the gate due to lack of speed up the pipe wall, scrubbing speed before reaching the bottom.

But they kept pushing for their team, and as the first teammate finished his or her segment, the second started on the cross course — full Gatorade cup in hand.

This section proved to be the easiest and fastest as competitors flew down through the banked turns and jumps before 'handing' off to the third teammate.

As the third teammate began the descent onto the rail, jump and pond course, the hollers became louder and louder from the peanut gallery waiting at the pond's shore's edge as complimentary inflatable sharks loomed in the icy waters ahead of the skiers or riders.

Most didn't make it across the pond — including the lumberjack, police officer and Dune sandworm — but what they lacked in skim-ability, they made up for it in steez.

Nothing smells as good a victory either. In the immortal words of Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr., "Shake N' Bake" won Slush Rush 2024 in a time of 1:27.83 even with a +15-penalty for spilling Gatorade from their stein in the second leg of the race.

Corksrcool placed second (1:41.37) and Hot Nasty Speed (2:18.04) placed third.

Sweaty Fat Shmucks earned Best Costume and Drew Gitlin from Turbo Team earned best trick.

Here are the final results from Slush Rush 2024 at Copper Mountain:

Download PDF

Copper Mountain announced last week the resort will stay open as long as conditions allow with terrain, with no official closing date just yet. Terrain open will be limited to trails accessed via the American Eagle, Excelerator, Super Bee (East Village) and Storm King lifts, with no beginner terrain offered during the extended season. The Superpipe, a hike terrain park at the top of American Eagle chair lift and features below the superpipe will be open. 

Day ticket prices are $99 through closing day.