Northstar California hosts Sunday pond skim

This weekend Northstar California will host a grand spring tradition in the Sierra Nevada — the pond skim.

The annual rite of passage encourages skiers and snowboarders to slide down the slopes in search of enough speed to skip across a shallow pond, or fail trying.

Northstar’s luau-themed event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday mid-mountain and is open to those with a gondola or lift ticket.

Northstar gift cards of up to $200 will be awarded to the judges’ favorite skimmers. Scores will be based on costume creativity, how well a skimmer “lives” their costume, and the style, difficulty, bail height and splash of the crossing.

“A successful crossing means nothing to the judges,” according to the resort. “This is all about style.”

The contest also includes a prize for best costume.

Registration takes place from 9-10:30 a.m. Sunday on the gondola deck. Participants can only take one run, must go one at a time and must be on skis or a snowboard. Skimmers are also required to sign a waiver and get an assigned number.

The pond skim is part of annual Spring It On! events at Northstar, which also include live music and complimentary face painting and a balloon artist on the deck at the Lodge at Big Springs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.