Okemo Celbrates Spring With Sunshine, Slush and Silliness

LUDLOW, Vt. – Mostly sunny skies prevailed for Okemo Mountain Resort’s annual wacky celebration of spring. On Sunday, April 5, a crowd of spectators gathered for the Harpoon Cardboard Box Race, Slush Cup Pond Skimming Competition and The Killarney Splash for Cash.

Teams of costumed sled riders raced in timed trials on a snowy slope at Okemo’s “Bull Run International Speedway.” Decorated sleds, made only of cardboard and duct tape, were judged on construction and artistic expression, with costumes factoring into final scores. Several awards were presented. The Most Artistic Cardboard Box Sled Award went to Okemo’s Traffic Control Team for their giant orange traffic cone. The team consisted of Craig Decato, Steve Parisaleau and a third, unknown teammate. The Fastest Cardboard Box Sled Award went to Okemo’s Building Maintenance department for their high-speed cardboard tank, complete with smoking cannon. Representing Team USA – Tank were Roland Farnsworth, Brock Dwinell and Eric Comstock. The Best Destruction of a Cardboard Box Award went to The Bus Chicks, an all-female team from Okemo’s group sales department. They were Betsy McKeever, Rini Mayer and Anna Podnecky.

In Okemo’s 12th annual pond skimming Slush Cup, winners were named in three categories. In the 7 to 12 division, first place went to Patrick Rice, 12, of Bridgehampton, N.Y. Second place was awarded to Brian “Tiger Tail” Chambers, 11, of South Windsor, Conn. And third place went to Lauren “Okeminnow” Warner, 12, of Springfield, Vt. In the 13 to 18 division, top honors went to James “Jimmy James” Capella, of Farmington, Conn. Second place went to Andrew Baker, 17, of New Fairfield, Conn., and Jill Murray, 13, of Trumbull, Conn., took third. In the 19 and older division, Andre Genest, 19, of New Haven, Conn., was the winner. Second place went to Evan Vomacka, 22, of Belmont, N.H. and third place went to Erik Brandvoid, 39, of Washington, N.Y. Best Costume went to Lauren Warner for her minnow costume and Jackson Gore Front Desk Manager John Boehrer made the biggest splash.

In the inaugural Killarney Splash for Cash competition, participants launched off a small jump and landed in the slush pond. Winners were named in two age categories. In the under 16 division, Greg Murray, 12, of Trumbull, Conn., won $80 for his helicopter maneuver prior to making a big splash. Jared Leffler, 24, of Normandy Beach, N.J. went huge and went home with $100 in the 16 and over division.

Okemo will continue to offer spring skiing and riding through April 12. For more information, visit Okemo.com or call (802) 228-1600.