Ludlow, VT – It’s a tradition as old as the hills. Okemo Mountain Resort will celebrate spring with the return of the Vermont ski area’s annual Slush Cup pond skimming competition and Tug of War.
Okemo’s annual Slush Cup takes place at 11 a.m. on April 6. The goal of this pond-skimming competition is to ski or snowboard down a trail and skim across an 80-foot-long slush pond without falling into it, and it’s a chilly spring dip for those who don’t make it. This popular competition is open to the first 150 participants. The entry fee is $20. Prizes will be awarded in several categories: best costume, driest, best wipeout, etc. Registration takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. and the pond skimming starts at 11 a.m.
The fun doesn’t end with a few soggy skiers. In Okemo’s third annual Killarney Tug of War contest, teams of eight, with a minimum of one female per team, will compete in a test of strength with a slush pond between them. The winning team receives $250 from The Killarney Irish Pub. Registration for the Tug of War is free. This event will take place immediately following the Slush Cup.
The 2012-13 ski and snowboard season began at Okemo more than a week ahead of schedule. Now, the good news is that trails will be open and lifts will be turning a week longer than originally planned. Okemo’s target closing date was April 14. The new target closing date is Sunday, April 21.
“Due to the great skiing and riding conditions, over 10 feet of natural snow this season, and hopefully nice weather, we have decided to move our closing day,” said Okemo Vice President and General Manager Bruce Schmidt. “Thanks to all our staff for their support of this extension of the season. We are looking at a 165-day season which will be one of the longest in a number of years.”
Lift tickets will be offered at reduced rates during the remainder of the season starting Monday, April 1, and rates will be based on the amount of terrain available to skiers and riders. Okemo approached the Easter holiday weekend with 100 percent of its terrain open.