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MOUNTAINLIFEONTARIO
WINTER2016
HOW-
TO
By Colin Field
There are a lot of great ski traditions in theworld:
the shotski, the ski burn, the bra tree.They’re
cornerstones of ski/snowboard culture.And along
with this important heritage is the pond skim,
something every diehard skier or snowboarder
shouldhave on their bucket list.
What is the pond skim? Simply put, it’s an event
where skiers and snowboarders throw a final
hurrah for thewinter seasonby attempting to skim
across a pool ofwater.While the history of the
pond skim is hazy, places like Idaho’s SunValley
have beenhosting skims since the early ‘70s.
And after nearly a decade of not hostingone, Blue
Mountainbrought it backwith theMeltdown
RetroPond Skim in 2014.Heading into the third
event this spring,we’d like to thankBlue for
bringing it back.They did so just in time too;
inMay, Banff–Lake Louise–Sunshine is hosting
the first pond-skimmingWorldCup. So consider
theMeltdown your, ahem,warm-up for the big
leagues.Here are a few tips toguarantee success.
KEEPYOURTIPSUP:
Ano-brainer to anyonewith
the slightest amount of ski skills. Just likewhen
you’re gettingoff the chairlift, keeping your tips
up is imperative for success. Better tobe in the
backseat and look like a kook, than to take a dunk
and look even kookier.
FATTENUP:
If you’re a 76-pound 11-year-old,
sorry to say, yourmission is near impossible.
There’s a strong likelihood you’re gonna getwet.
Reallywet.You simply can’t get the speed toplane
up. Perhaps training for you should include chips
and soda for breakfast?Daily?Tell your parentswe
said itwas okay.You’re an athlete.You’re“bulking
up.”Don’t forget a pizza slice before bed.And a
chocolate bar.This is gonna takework.The real
question is,Are you committed enough?
SPEED ISYOUR FRIEND:
As inmany sport-related
scenarios, speed is your friend (until it isn’t).The
bestway to ensure youget across the pond is by
goingballs-out fast.When it’s your turn, skateoff
the start line (sorry snowboarders, you’re screwed),
then tuck, tuck and tuck somemore.Themoment of
truth is that fractionof a secondwhen you’re in the
air between snowandwater; remember, tips up!
SKIMOR SWIM:
There are twooptions for the
pond skim.Make it or don’t.Andwhile notmaking
it is going to result in a seriously soggy ski boot,
you’ll get a better reactionout of the crowd.
Whether they’re laughing at youorwith you is
debatable.
HAVE FUN:
Obviously, even if youget completely
dunked, you’re still cooler than all those on the
sidelines.At least you tried.Now run to the closest
hot tub and jump inboots and all.
DRESSAPPROPRIATELY:
It’s a toughday todress
for. It’s hopefully gonna be sunny andwarm.And
you’ll hopefully stay dry. Sowhat’s the best fabric
for the day? Is it Gore-Tex?Neoprene?Awetsuit?
Adrysuit?Our best advice: amid-‘80s Ditrani one-
piecewill have all the performance qualities you’ll
need for the day.
Themoment of truth is that
fractionof asecondwhen
you’re in theair between
snowandwater.
SKIMORSWIM?
SIXTIPSTOACETHISYEAR’SSPRINGMELTDOWNPONDSKIMATBLUEMOUNTAIN
“Speed is your friend.Until it isn’t.”ERIKA LANGMANPHOTO, COURTESYBLUEMOUNTAINRESORT.
