By Shannon Lukens.
Howelsen Hill has wrapped up another season with closing day on Sunday. The highlight for many was the pond skim at the base, in what was named Rat Lake. Steamboat Springs City Council members were judges. Here’s Ed Briones with his judging strategy.
“I am judging on laughter. The more you make me laugh, the higher score you get.”
Lots of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club kids did their best to make it across the frozen pond, in crazy costumes. One was Soda Creek 5th grader Theo Maul, who had a goal.
“To make it through switch… I didn’t.”
Skiing switch means skiing backwards. Theo ended up in the pond, but second overall for his spectacular finish.
One young Winter Sports club skier named Branigan was at the top of the run trying to convince Winter Sports Club freestyle alumni Robby Brown that he should ski into the icy pond switch.
“He gave me the inspiration to go into the pond backwards so I figured I might just turn around and go for it, you know.”
That’s what Robbie Brown did and he had a perfect score from the judges to win it all.
“I was just thankful to be at Howelsen Hill skiing Free Ski Sunday with a good awesome group of people around and an awesome staff. Those guys always hold it down. It’s just wonderful to be able to be a part of such an event.”
One other skier who also did some swimming was Payton Berger from Fargo, North Dakota.
“I was going down and right as I got to the lip, I thought to pull back and lift up on my tips but I did the exact opposite and nose-dived into the pool.”
Berger’s spectacular splashing finish earned him fourth place overall.
Howelsen Hill is the oldest continuously operating ski area in North America. The first lifts fired up back in 1915.
Top finishers:
- 1st place — Robby Brown
- 2nd place — Theo Maul
- 3rd place — Jake Winter
- 4th place — Payton Berger
- 5th place — Austin Cagaanan
- 6th place — Mason Stewart
- 7th place — Jackson Koermer
- 8th place — Jason Mannen
- 9th place — Gib Mitchell
- 10th place — Matt Stevenson
- 11th place — Michael Wynan
- 12th place — Vicky Kullhan