Skibowl is prepared to give spring a break.

With the annual pond skim contest highlighting the event, the 10th annual
Skibowl Snow Beach Festival rolls out March 19.

“The start of spring break is always a huge day of fun at Skibowl and this one
is going to be our biggest one yet,” said Kirk Hanna, owner-operator of
Skibowl.

The signature event of the festival is the pond skimming competition
scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Adventurous skiers and boarders will race down
the lower bowl slope in an attempt to gain enough momentum to carry them
across a 30-foot wide by 60-foot long pond. Many competitors make a clear
skim across the pond, though just as many won’t – ending up in freezing cold
water.

“This nonconventional sport has become a flagship spring experience at
Skibowl, and a real crowd pleaser,” Hanna said.

Awards will be presented in a variety of categories, including best crash, best
costume, best attitude, best trick and judges’ choice. The competition is
fierce, with skimmers vying for great prizes, including snowboards, season
passes and gear and clothing from resort sponsor DaKine.

Registration is limited to the first 75 participants and each skimmer will get
two attempts. For those who dare, register on site in customer service
beginning at 9 a.m.

After the pond extravaganza, spectators can continue to cheer as skiers and
boarders compete in a snow beach rail jam in the Jesse’s Flight Lower Bowl
Terrain Park. The jam runs from 4 to 6 p.m., and prizes will be awarded for
the best tricks.

Fireworks will light up the night sky beginning at 8 p.m. and will be visible
from the base area.

“There is something for everyone at our spring break Snow Beach Festival and
we welcome everyone to start the fun of spring break on Mount Hood,” Hanna
said.

Other March events at Skibowl include:
March 4 – 23rd annual Ski for Sunshine. Ski free from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a
donation of eight cans of food to benefit the Sunshine Division.

March 11-12 – Hope on the Slopes Vertical Challenge. A 24-hour ski and
board event to benefit the American Cancer Society.