Mt. Peter holds Spring Rally and Wacky Water Skiing Contest

WARWICK — Warwick’s Mt. Peter Ski Area celebrated the conclusion of the 2012-2013 winter sports season with its annual Spring Rally on Saturday, March 16,

Last year the event had been canceled for the first time because there had been no recent snowfalls and most of what was left on the mountain from snowmaking was washed away only a short time before by heavy rains.

This year, also for the first time, it was snowing during the rally.

Celebrating an early St. Patrick’s Day, visitors still managed to remain outdoors and enjoy music, food, games and entertainment. And with plenty of snow on the slopes it was a late season opportunity to also ski or snow board.

Snow to water to fun
In the early afternoon snow boarders demonstrated their skills at leaping and, twisting after flying off a special jump created for the event. Then came the highlight of the day, the “Wacky Water Ski Contest,” where skiers and snow boarders transition from snow to water.

Along with the snowfall, the air temperature was on the cool side. And the trough, filled to the brim with icy water from an adjacent pond fed by mountain streams, had been extended to 137 feet. That was more than twice the length of the one used in the last contest held in 2011.

But, as usual, that didn’t deter the skiers and snow boarders from racing down “Dynamite” trail and building up as much speed as possible before hitting the cold water.

While crowds of onlookers kept a safe distance to the side of the trough, the contestants smoothly transitioned from snow to water attempting to make it all the way across the full length of the trough, recovering back on snow. Some of the skiers and snow boarders made it but most were not so lucky this year and ended up taking a cool dip and wading to shore. And to everyone’s amusement, a few spectacular splashdowns showered all onlookers slow to retreat.

Celebrating one of their own
Following the “Wacky Water Ski Contest,” everyone professionally connected with Mt. Peter gathered for a photograph under a banner in honor of Kei Kullberg of Cornwall, who began skiing at Mount Peter Ski Area when he was three. On March 8, Kullberg, 17, won the giant slalom at the Junior National Champion at Mammoth Mountain, California.

The Spring Rally ended with the “Cardboard Race,” where contestants create sculptures like dragons, race cars, and other themes and swoosh down the mountain carrying participants and their team members.

- Roger Gavan