PHOTOS: Pond skim challenge highlights Snowmass’ closing festivities

News | Apr 20, 2025

Austin Colbert

**A snowboarder prepares for impact after falling during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.**
*Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times*

Closing weekend arrived with the annual Elk Camp Surf & Snow Beach Party on Saturday afternoon at Snowmass Ski Area.

Complete with skiing, snowboarding, and a raucous party, the highlight was again the popular pond skim challenge, where skiers and riders attempted to cross a pond of near-freezing water to the delight of guests.

While most of the action was on Saturday, Snowmass will remain open on Sunday for one final day of skiing and riding.

However, the party will move over to Aspen Mountain on Sunday, where its annual celebration from the Sundeck will officially close out the 2024-25 ski season in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Dressed as a polar bear, a skier competes in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday at Snowmass Ski Area.

A guest gives a shout after hitting the cold water while taking part in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.

The sun shines through the clouds during the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, the day before closing day at Snowmass Ski Area.

Members of ski patrol, using a rescue toboggan, have the honor of being the final skiers to compete in pond skimming on Saturday, April 19, 2025, during the annual Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party at Snowmass Ski Area.

The blue sky is reflected off a participant’s goggle during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.

A young skier in a pink microwave NASA outfit faces the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.

A snowboarder with a selfie stick cruises through the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.

Young kids enjoy watching the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.

A skier faces the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.

A young skier fearlessly faces the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A guest prepares to enter the cold water while taking part in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A guest tries to get out of the cold water while taking part in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A snowboarder faces the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Skiers embrace the cold water together while taking part in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A snowboarder faces the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The helmet of a guest rises above the cold water while taking part in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
An inflatable gator lies in wait during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier is inverted before safely crashing during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier yells as she reaches the finish line of the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier faces the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier faces the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Skiers and riders await their turn during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A snowboarder with a selfie stick cruises through the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Skiers face the pond skim challenge together as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A guest enjoys the cold water while taking part in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier gets air during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
An inflatable orca watches the action during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier faces the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Guests try and fail to embrace the cold water while taking part in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Aspen Skiing Company’s Tyler Lindsay calls the action during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Young kids enjoy watching the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Guests try to get out of the cold water while taking part in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A young skier in a pink microwave NASA outfit faces the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A Denver Nuggets fan fights through the water during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Members of ski patrol, using a rescue toboggan, have the honor of being the final skiers to compete in pond skimming during the annual Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A guest gives a laugh while sitting in the cold water after crashing in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The blue sky is reflected off a participant’s goggles during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Dressed as a polar bear, a skier competes in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A snowboarder prepares for impact after falling during the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A guest gives a shout after hitting the cold water while taking part in the pond skim challenge as part of the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The sun shines through the clouds during the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party on Saturday, April 19, 2025, the day before closing day at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Members of ski patrol, using a rescue toboggan, have the honor of being the final skiers to compete in pond skimming on Saturday, April 19, 2025, during the annual Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times