By Dan Balkin
Legend has it that pond skimming is 98 years old. In 1928, friends Cliff White and Cyril Paris were spring skiing in Banff, Canada when they came across a slushy pool of water created by the sun-warmed run off. They challenged each other to send it, and only one of them made it across. The water was relatively shallow, but the unsuccessful friend emerged from the water with soaked boots and wet gear. In commemoration of the daring duos first stab at water skiing on snow skis, Banff’s Sunshine Village has been celebrating an annual pond skimming event which they call a ‘Slush Cup” ever after. HoliMont, located about 2,300 miles from Banff, keeps alive the spirit of the Canadian daredevils who first envisioned skimming across frigid water on snow skis (and now also snowboards), with our annual pond skimming event. Just like the two Canadian friends, some pond skimmers make it across the waters, and some don’t! We suspect the two originators would say that the challenge and uncertainty of successfully skimming the entire pond is what makes it exciting and fun for participants and spectators alike. 