It’s no secret that the end of the season in Colorado sparks some of the biggest closing day parties in the country. And since we Coloradans love to party, we’re always on the lookout for the craziest closing day out there.
This year, Copper Mountain teamed up with Red Bull for the second annual Red Bull Slope Soakers event, a glorified pond skim where skiers and snowboarders compete for $500 and a slew of other prizes. This isn’t the pond skim your parents raved about in the ‘70s though: Red Bull Slope Soakers kicks it up a notch with a two-tiered pond skim that requires you to sign your life away to participate.
The top pool was outfitted with a wallride, rainbow rail and flat box, all three of which spanned a freezing, bright blue body of water that would require some serious winter survival skills if you fell in. If you were lucky enough to make it across, you found yourself bombing down a steep, icy landing toward another pool that was equally as cold, this one with a down box and down rail to finish off the course.
When the event began, onlookers watched in awe as crazily clad contestants bombed down the course, many with beer in hand, in an effort to make the finals. A total of twenty five skiers and snowboarders advanced. On the line: $500 and/or awards for best costume, best crash or best trick.
There were too many crazy and hilarious moments to name them all, but we’ll leave you with some highlights from one of the best closing day parties we’ve ever experienced:
Best crash went to a girl, who after attempting to boardslide the rainbow rail, tacoed into the end of the pool then fell back into the chest deep cold blue water. You could hear the “thud” as she hit the side of the pool for miles. She didn’t look stoked…
Best trick went to the overall ski winner who went with a switch 270 on, pretzel 270 off the flat box. His abilities to fully utilize the feature with style and ease captured him the gold.
Best costume went to a Denver duo dressed to impress. One, calling himself Captain of the Love Boat, was adorned in a searsucker suit jacket with short yellow shorts, an orange leather yachting belt and a captain’s hat. His sidekick was dressed as a chicken and sported a beautiful blue suite. Neither had ever attempted a flip before but that thanks to some liquid courage, they were throwing them like champs.
A closing day party for the ages—we’re certainly looking forward to this event next year, as it continues to grow year over year.