There are many things that signify spring has arrived in Durango. The snow starts to melt, piles of unused household items stack up on the curb for spring cleaning and residents start looking toward their summer fun out on the trails or the river.
But one tradition reminds everyone that just because the snow is melting doesn’t mean the slap-happy nature of living in a ski town has to die with the change in season.
The first weekend of April often marks the day of the “pond skim” for many ski areas across the country. For Purgatory Resort, early April tends to mark the last day of daily operations and the skim sends the season out in exotic fashion.
The origins of the pond skim are uncertain. Many seem to think it started in the 1920s in Alberta, Canada, when two friends were skiing and came across a pool of snowmelt and decided to ski across it.
In a more modern sense, it’s a way for people to celebrate the ski season with a party. Informally known as “Gaper Day,” participants dress in outlandish attire, some taking the “they ski in jeans” stereotype to all new heights. From the all-denim fit to neon colors and some participants barely wearing any clothes at all, skiers try to gain enough speed to cross a roughly 20-foot pool.
For many of the skiers and snowboarders this means keeping their weight back and speed up.
Pond skim participant River Jenkins flew down the mountain, smoothly surfing over the pool and making the feat look easy.
“I just went as fast I could and leaned back,” Jenkins said. “It honestly ended up being a lot easier than I expected it to.”
However, some took their skills to the next level. Participant Molly Quinn-Clynes started down the slope in what appeared to be a somewhat awkward position. As she came closer to the crowd, everyone began to realize she was riding down with just one ski on her right foot.
She casually adjusted her weight distribution to account for her lack of left ski and wove in and out of her carves with precision. When she reached the water, she glided across the pool with plenty of speed and a successful attempt.
For Quinn-Clynes, it was all about separating herself from the rest of the participants. Even though the pond skim isn’t a competition, she knew there would be a lot of crazy costumes worn and different styles of riding being attempted.
“I was like, how can I really get on the map here? I’m not going to go switch, so I was just like maybe I’ll go with one foot,” Quinn-Clynes said.
She chose her right leg because she injured her left knee last year and did not want to reinjure it.
Another participant, John Grotenhuis, said it is important not to turn on the water. He says this will slow skiers and riders down.
“If you lean too far forward, the front of the board gets in the water and you flip over,” he said.
He advised those who want to attempt the skim to keep their speed up but not become out of control.
“Be controlled with the speed because once you get beyond the pond, you might get too much air and not be able to slow down before you hit the crowd,” Grotenhuis said.
Quinn-Clynes’ advice is to just “huck it” and do not be overly scared.
The pond skim closed out Purgatory’s daily winter operations but the resort will be open on the weekends through April 23. According to Purgatory’s social media accounts, the resort has received 375 inches of snow this year and has surpassed the highest recorded snowpack at Purgatory.
Purgatory summer activities begin June 17, according to the resort.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
