Before pond skims became obligatory springtime events at ski resorts around the world, a handful of California skiers stood at the edge of Cushing Pond at Palisades Tahoe and pondered: “What if you could just get from one end to the other on a pair of twigs?” This original thought has evolved into one of the most iconic events in skiing and snowboarding.
“The Cushing Crossing isn’t just a pond skim, it’s a tradition. A full-blown celebration of spring, community, and not taking any of this too seriously.” -Palisades Tahoe
Unlike other ski resorts that have to set up temporary manmade waterholes to host pond skim events, Cushing Crossing happens on a real pond set into a natural amphitheater where the cheering crowd can line up on the shoreline (close enough to get wet) and extend all the way up the mountain to the nosebleed seats.
The strategy is simple, go fast or sink. Speed is prerequisite, style matters, but commitment is essential. Palisades just celebrated The 34th Annual Cushing Crossing and it was predictably amazing. Incredible action, creative costumes and vibes that could be detected from space. This is what pond skimming is all about:
The 34th Annual Cushing Crossing:
Categories
- Men’s Ski
- Men’s Snowboard
- Women’s Ski
- Women’s Snowboard
- Unlimited (any apparatus that isn’t a straightforward pair of skis or snowboard, but is of skiing or snowboard origin)
Scoring
- 25 points for creativity and style
- 25 points for a successful pond crossing
Rules
- Participants must be 18+ and present to register
- No one may register on behalf of another competitor
- Costumes are highly encouraged
- Approved helmets and flotation devices are mandatory
- No inappropriate clothing or profanity associated with costumes
- This is a family-friendly event — if you wouldn’t do it in front of your grandmother, don’t do it here
- Snow sliding apparatus must be of a winter sports origin
- Participants must be able to control their apparatus
- Palisades Tahoe reserves the right to disallow any competitor or apparatus
- Tie breaker for the overall winner will be decided by a second run ski-off
- Overall winner is determined by the highest combined score from two runs
- Participants are responsible for their actions
- No pyrotechnics or open flame on course
- Multiple competitors must be attached to the same apparatus
- Please bring your own PFD if possible; limited loaners will be available
