Sunday marked the second day of Snow Trails 53rd annual Ski Carnival, a day highlighted by the Cardboard Creation Race in the tubing park and the costume contest on the ski lodge deck.
The annual Ski Carnival is very popular for skiers, tubers, and patrons who just want to enjoy the excitement.
“The carnival’s been happening since our very first season in ’61 and ’62,” said Nate Wolleson, Marketing Manager for Snow Trails. “It’s just to celebrate what we do here, the fun that we have and just the overall enjoyment for winter sports.”
Crowds gathered on the deck to watch events on the slopes and to prepare for the costume contest.
Jack Kastran, 11, waited with his family as his sister Lily, 7, dressed as a cheerleader, participated in the costume judging, but he was anxious to get to the Cardboard Creation event and his entry, the “Taco on Ice.”
Jack Kastran teamed up with Daniel Arnholtz, 12, of Lexington. Kastran described their vehicle by saying, “It’s the only square taco.”
The Cardboard Creation Race took place at the tubing park. Participants were judged on the originality of their creation as well as time and distance in the race.
This was the first year of racing for many participants. Barb Procker of Mansfield, who took second place in the race with her “Picnic Basket” admitted this was new for her.
“I’ve never even seen this race before,” said Procker.
Procker’s whimsical ride was the first to make it down the slope without crashing, though she was hidden from spectators, stretched out in the bottom of the basket.
Some of the creations held special meaning. Adam Heflin and Diane Stewart teamed up for the “Diad,” a Hawaiian-themed construct painted with “Shawna and Frank, 25 years.” The vehicle was built in honor of Heflin’s sister and her husband, who were renewing their wedding vows in Hawaii.
“Shawna and Frank’s 25th anniversary was yesterday, and they live in Hawaii. We couldn’t make it for the wedding, so this is our tribute to them. We are going to make a video and put it all together and send it out to them,” said Heflin.
This year’s first place winner was “Fort Lewis College of Colorado Golf Cart”, manned by Ed VanCura Jr., Jeff Remllong, Karl Kirst, and Sig Settele. The group also placed first in last year’s event as the “Jamaican Bobsled Team.”
“We had to look for something creative for four people,” said Kirst. “Two years ago we were ‘shot ski’. Each one of us was a shot glass. I had a cherry on my helmet, one had an olive; we were throwing ice cubes out as we were going down.”
Cardboard Creations Race winners were: First place – “Fort Lewis College of Colorado Golf Cart,” manned by Ed VanCura Jr., Jeff Remllong, Karl Kirst, and Sig Settele; second place – “Picnic Basket,” manned by Barb Procker; third place – “I Scream Truck,” manned by Paige VanCura and Jim Branch.
Costume contest winners were: First place – Erika Conant and Laney Short as “Fisherman and Mermaid”; second place –Jennifer Steffey, Tammy Hammet, and Diane Hammet as the “Golden Girls”; third place – Beth and Abby Hostettler as “Owls.”
“It’s just to celebrate what we do here, the fun that we have and just the overall enjoyment for winter sports,” said Nate Wolleson.
See more photos in the gallery below.
